Check out my analysis on some of the top 2023 hybrid wing prospects who have really been making noise through their stellar play this fall! I have been traveling all over Texas all October, and here is my list of…
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SubscribeCheck out my analysis on some of the top 2023 hybrid wing prospects who have really been making noise through their stellar play this fall! I have been traveling all over Texas all October, and here is my list of some of the top performers since we wrapped up Summer Ball!
Michael (MJ) Thomas 2023 6’7 Denton High School
MJ is a unique prospect with special athleticism paired with a dominant frame; standing at 6’7. He has really showed off his handle but more importantly his versatility as a big man, especially out of the pick and roll/ pop. He recently took Calvert High School to the 1A State Title game, and is now tasked with being a key piece in Denton’s powerful system. He finishes with ease in the paint, and attacks space very well. He uses minimal dribbles to get to the rim, striding around his opponent’s and going up strong in the paint. He is a very good passer when he gets focused by the defense. I was impressed with his ability to make the right reads and skip passes out to his shooters. He is a good shooter with a high release; however, I would like to see him speed up his release and stay ready when he picks and pops. Thomas should be on everyone’s radar as we go into the 2023 season, especially as he begins to more consistently face more stout competition.
JT Toppin 6’7 2023 Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy
JT is the real deal, an explosive athlete, a consistent finisher at the rim and a kid who loves making the highlight play! He has great post control and can manipulate smaller defenders into backing down into his spot in the paint to get off a baby hook. He has a very quick spin move that allows him to create space in the mid post and on the block. I have seen him make absolutely jaw dropping plays out of this, quickly spinning off a defender and flushing a nasty dunk on the help side defender. He has a natural ability to get to the rim, even with some crowded spacing playing with another dominant center and another athletic forward who all live in the paint. Toppin has all the tools to become a consistent weapon on the offensive side of the floor and can become a valuable weapon at the next level. He can easily become a small ball center with his ability to protect the rim, or become a high level slasher at the wing position with his ability to move his feet. His long arms allow him to wreak havoc on the defensive end of the floor, he is an elite rim protector with his ability to reject shots in the paint. I loved his energy and willingness to contest every shot on the defensive end. His ability to defend the perimeter does not stop with his ability to block shots, he has active hands and a good nose for the ball on when to attack passes in the passing lane. His ability to close space is elite and will make him an incredibly valuable weapon at the next level. He recovers well and can slide over to protect the rim after his teammate gets beat off the dribble, he had an incredibly impressive block on the weak side.
Isaiah Manning Isaiah Manning 6'8" | SF Mansfield Legacy | 2023 State #143 Nation TX 2023 6’7 Mansfield Legacy High School
Isaiah is a coveted four star prospect who recently committed to TCU. He is incredibly versatile, who is an absolute work horse and an animal as a defender. His intensity on the court is jaw dropping, and all eyes are instantly on this kid when he is on the court, not off of his size or how well he scores, but his energy and willingness to pick up the best player on the court, regardless of position. He can easily defend positions 1-3 at the next level as well. He scores with ease down low, he possess great touch with both hands and can scoop layups off the glass behind defenders backs or go up strong and finish above the rim. He is incredibly confident and can handle the ball and get downhill or get to his spots. The confidence and swagger he plays the game with is so entertaining to watch, as he lulls defenders to sleep with crossovers and then bouncing off contact on his way to the rim. Do not forget this name, he will definitely be making plays at the next level, likely as a freshman…
Tim Jordan
Tim
Jordan
6'7" | PF
Richardson | 2023
State
TX
2023 6’7 Richardson High School
Tim is an impressive player who finishes with ease in the paint, he has a very nice frame with a great blend of size and strength. His consistency down low is a real weapon, he routinely finishes through contact and converts and one opportunities. He is a real weapon as a rim runner with his good foot speed and an ability to throw down ferocious dunks on the break. He knows how to use his frame and size to manipulate defenders with his back to the basket, putting elbows into his defender and going up strong. He has an array of post moves, and gets opponents to bite on pump fakes and then finish on the other side of the rim. Most of the time; smaller help defenders are terrified to slide over and protect the rim against him and would rather just give up the easy two! Jordan is a kid you have to keep your eye on going into his senior year!
Ismael Smith-Flores
Ismael
Smith-Flores
6'6" | SF
Arlington Martin | 2023
TX
2023 6’7 James Martin High School (Dallas Mustangs 17U)
Ismael is an intriguing prospect an athletic wing who moves very well, can handle the ball and create opportunities for his teammates in the full court and the half court. His confidence is growing at a tremendous rate, I got a chance to see him in the beginning and the end of summer and now he is making waves in fall ball! He is now hunting for his shot in the mid-range and beyond the arc with more consistency. He is eager to get into the paint every chance he can, and knows how to quickly attack smaller defenders before they get a chance to bring a double team. He has an extremely large catch radius which allows his teammates to throw him any sort of entry pass into the post. With his back to the basket he is good at using his size and strength to back his opponent down. His ability to do it all on the offensive end of the floor is going to be a real weapon at the next level, the next step will be matching his intensity and awareness on the defensive end as well.
