Mr. Basketball Pre-Season Watchlist

<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Jacoby-Hill.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Jacoby-Hill-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1324397" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1398552' first='Jacoby' last='Hill'] (6'3/G/'25/Central HS)   Instagram: @_.jaacoby._   Jacoby is a 2025 kid that I believe will have a sensational sophomore season, and even though a longshot, he warrants consideration for being on the Mr. Basketball watchlist. Jacoby shows lots of shiftiness and the ability to score when given the slightest bit of space, and he's really crafty with the rock and has a knack for scoring. Look for Jacoby to have the numbers for consideration but his time to really be in the hunt isn't this year.       <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/PH-Izzy-Miles.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/PH-Izzy-Miles-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1558573" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1564710' first='Izzy' last='Miles'] (6'2/G/Grissom HS)   Instagram: imiles23   Twitter: @izzymiles5   It will be hard for Izzy to come away with the Mr. Basketball award as he will be sharing the backcourt with who many believe will be Mr. Basketball, [player_tooltip player_id='833333' first='RJ' last='Johnson']. However, Izzy will have eyes on him throughout the year as word is, the ball will be in his hands a lot more this season as he will be in the position of playmaker. Izzy has a wildly fast first step and elite handles that will assist him in being a big-time creator for Grissom this year.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/PH-RJ-Johnson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/PH-RJ-Johnson-C-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1495533" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='833333' first='RJ' last='Johnson'] (6'4/CG/Grissom HS)   Instagram: rjjohnson_11   RJ comes into the season as the front-runner to the Mr. Basketball award. The Alabama commit will be a player who will put up elite numbers that will lead to victories. His worth on the court is undeniable, and he impacts every part of the game on both ends of the floor. RJ's game is very polished, he is athletic, and he is one of the greatest weapons that any team in the state will have on the court this year. By the middle of December, everyone in the state will see why he is the forerunner for Mr. Basketball.      <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/PH-Caleb-Holt-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/PH-Caleb-Holt-C-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1495539" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   Caleb Holt (6'5/Shooting Guard/2026/Buckhorn HS)   Instagram: Iam_caleb_holt   Caleb is a long shot at winning the award as he is a 2026 kid, and I am not sure if a freshman has ever received the award since its origin. However, if there is a deserving freshman this year, it is Caleb. He has been invited to the USA Junior National Team Minicamp and is being recruited by numerous Power Five teams. He is absolutely exceptional on the offensive end of the floor, as his shot creation is unlike any in the state. He is freaky athletic and a stellar perimeter player that is still putting all the pieces of the puzzle together, which is a frightening thought to future opponents.     [player_tooltip player_id='974549' first='John' last='Broom'] (6'5/Forward/'23/Jacksonville HS)   Instagram: j3hnn   [player_tooltip player_id='974549' first='John' last='Broom'] is the #2 ranked player in the 2023 class and will definitely be there at the end, with many casting their votes for him as Mr. Basketball. The South Alabama commit is now the head of the Jacksonville squad, as [player_tooltip player_id='836599' first='Cade' last='Phillips'] took his talent to Link Academy. With that departure, look for John's numbers to increase across the board, which will be another reason why many will look his way when it comes to the Mr. Basketball award. If Jacksonville can repeat as state championships and John is the catalyst that leads the way, he might be able to sneak in and capture the award. It will be interesting to see how John responds to the absence of Cade, but one thing we know for sure is that he will bring pace, scoring, and playmaking.     [player_tooltip player_id='836598' first='Alex' last='Odam'] (6'3/SG/'23/Piedmont HS)   Twitter: @j_odam   Alex finds his way on the watchlist and is the #3-ranked player in the 2023 class. He is a big-time scorer that will have haughty numbers that warrant the attention of Mr. Basketball consideration. Alex will display his entire offensive game and leadership abilities, leaving very few questions about his game unanswered. He contributes on both ends of the floor with scoring, passing, rebounding, and defense. He is a player that demands a lot of attention from opponents and is one of the most difficult guys to contain in the state.       <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/PH-Win-Miller.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/PH-Win-Miller-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1560692" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='971994' first='Win' last='Miller'] (6'3/Wing/'23/Vestavia Hills HS)   Instagram: winmiller04   [player_tooltip player_id='971994' first='Win' last='Miller'] is the Mr. Do-It-All for Vestavia, and the Rebels' championship hopes are on the shoulders of the Belmont commit. He is a heady player that understands how the game is to be played. He brings a lot of energy and effort to both ends of the floor and is a ferocious competitor. He can score the rock with the best of them, and as you see the Rebels play this year, you will see the freedom that Win has to operate outside of the system. A freedom that has been earned through countless hours of developing his game.     [player_tooltip player_id='836597' first='Carson' last='Muse'] (6'6/SG/'23/West Morgan HS)   Twitter: @CarsonMuse1   Carson is a skilled guard with size that can score the rock. He is one of the more versatile players in the watchlist as on the high school level, he can play the 2-4 and can defend it as well. He has a good feel for the game with a good IQ. He has a nice release on his J, can create space for his midrange and deep jumper, and at times shows that he can score the ball with ease. His name will be mentioned for Mr. Basketball, but it will take a massive senior year for him to walk away with the reward.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/PH-Caleb-White.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/PH-Caleb-White-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1312304" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1091947' first='Caleb' last='White'] (5'11/PG/'24/Pinson Valley)   Instagram: Caleb.glizzzy   Twitter: @calebglizzzy   Caleb is the #3 ranked player in the 2024 class and could make a strong case for Mr. Basketball this year. The challenge for Caleb is that he is playing on a loaded Pinson Valley team that many consider the #1-ranked team in the state, regardless of classification. They are guard-heavy, and on any given night, they have up to 8 players that can lead them in scoring. Caleb is probably the most productive scorer on the team, as he can score the rock in various ways and at all levels. With the cast that is around him, I'm just not sure if he will be able to garner the numbers and even the votes to walk away as Mr. Basketball.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/PH-JaMari-Arnold.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/PH-JaMari-Arnold-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1355586" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   Ja'Mari Arnold (5'10/CG/'23/Huntsville HS)   IG: manman_._   Twitter: @jamariarnold2   Ja'Mari leads a highly talented Huntsville team into the '22-'23 season and is expected to be there at the end, competing for the state championship. Man-Man, as he is better known, is the type of lead guard with which teammates love to go into battle. His playmaking skills, ability to push the pace and smart decision-making are infectious and lead to many wins, which is why many have Huntsville making it to the Final Four. Will Ja'mari be able to rise above his counterparts to take home the Mr. Basketball award? The answer remains to be seen, but he is in a culture under Coach Christian Schweers that will put him in the best position to be right there in the end, getting interest.      <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/PH-Labaron-Philon.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/PH-Labaron-Philon-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1408557" width="256" height="256"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='1091946' first='LaBaron' last='Philon']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1091946' first='LaBaron' last='Philon'] (6'4/CG/'24/Baker HS)   Instagram: b1rron   If there is any player that will garner votes for Mr. Basketball with a chance to take home the crown, despite not being a '23 kid, it is Labaron. He is one of the most explosive players in the state, as his burst off the bounce is one of his greatest weapons. His ability to get to the cup forces teams to keep help in the paint, which leaves teammates open with good looks. According to ESPN, he is the #36-ranked player in the country, and if those out of state recognize how good Lebaron is, his play in state should have him knocking on the door of being highly considered as Mr. Basketball.      <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/PH-Chase-McCarty-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/PH-Chase-McCarty-C-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1495530" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1091939' first='Chase' last='McCarty'] (6'6/SG/'24/Westminster Christian Academy)   Instagram: Chase___mccarty   Twitter: @Chasemccarty21   Chase is one of the most prolific scorers in the state, yet he probably will not get the looks he deserves from Mr. Basketball. However, what cannot be denied is the potency of his scoring acumen. Scoring is not and never will be an issue with Chase, as he is as reliable as anyone in the state when it comes to scoring the rock. He is a swingman that can attack inside and out. He is being heavily recruited, and you can rest assured that it won't slow down anytime soon as Chase is poised to have an exciting, senior season. Look for Chase to put up some towering numbers this year.           <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/PH-Salim-London-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/PH-Salim-London-C-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1495537" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1398516' first='Salim' last='London'] (6'2/CG/'25/Hoover HS)   Instagram: leemlondon   Twitter: @Cportlondon   Salim is the #1-ranked player in the 2025 class, and his name is quickly making its way throughout Power Five schools. I said it before, and I will repeat it; a coach at a Power Five program told me that this kid will be able to go wherever he wants in the country. His game continues to improve as he is becoming more prolific with his perimeter shooting and continues to be a beast when attacking the cup. He may not win Mr. Basketball this year, but you can best believe he will have the numbers and be a forerunner in the next couple of years.        <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/PH-Kerrington-Kiel-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/PH-Kerrington-Kiel-C-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1639128" width="256" height="256"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knight Eady Knight Eady</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='836585' first='Kerrington' last='Kiel'] (6'5/SF/'23/Ramsay HS)   Instagram: kerrington.kiel   Twitter: @kerringtonkiel   Unfortunately, Kerrington is in a situation where he will be judged solely on whether he can take his team to the promised land this year. When it comes to him winning Mr. Basketball, it will take nothing short of bringing home the state championship. The Troy commit will be on a mission this year, which makes Ramsay a dangerous team to face. Kerrington is extremely tough around the rim and in the paint, but he has developed his shot creation skills off the bounce, and his outside shooting and his defensive ability will be on full display for his final high school season.