Prep Hoops Preseason All-State 1st Team

<p>Here the guys we are expecting to make a major impact this season. Let's check them out! </p>    <p><br>Philon, in some circles, hold's the spot as the state's best player regardless of class, and there is an argument to be made for that. As one of the highest touted players in the State, Philon put on scoring displays that attracted offers from Alabama, Kansas, Michigan, and Tennessee, among others. This, in addition to his ability to hang at Nike EYBL, further proved Philon is the real deal. The smooth operator shows a natural ability to score at all three levels. Philon is a pure threat from the perimeter, where he can get to a buttery pull-up jumper that's valid from deep or midrange. This, in addition to his crafty handle allows him to get to his spots, create mismatches when getting downhill on P&R, or create space off the bounce in iso situations. As a finisher, he's creative with euros, floaters, and acrobatic layups, but also has enough athleticism to put a defender on a poster. As one of the best prospects in the nation, it'll be interesting to see how he develops this season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA7OJJjMrgs&t=234s </div></figure>    <p>Johnson is the best pure point guard in the state and one of the better athletes in the 2023 class. With excellent explosiveness within his 200+ pound frame, Johnson can assert his will when driving to the basket, finishing through contact, or putting defenders on a poster off lobs and put backs. As a lead guard his ability to orchestrate the offense, get others involved, and create easy shots for others makes him a coach on the floor and a joy to watch. However Johnson is fully capable of creating off the dribble, showing touch on in the midrange, and picking up the scoring load when needed. It'll be fun to see how far Johnson can lead the Tigers this upcoming season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvZ_JnIY288 </div></figure>    <p>Holt is young prospect oozing with potential and could make an argument for being the top dog in the state. As an eighth grader, Holt not only competed at a varsity level but was often times the best player on the court. Holt is arguably the best athlete in the state and could very well be an All-State receiver if he chose to. With prototypical size, speed, and vertical explosion, he's a highlight waiting to happen. When attacking the basket, he shows a quick first step, agility to navigate crowded paints, and the hang time to make acrobatic finishes or game-changing dunks. This in addition to his willingness to use this explosiveness to be a plus defender, makes him one of the best prospects in the nation. Holt has the lateral quickness to keep up with speedier guards, burst to disrupt passing lanes, and enough hops to protect the rim from the weakside or transition. With nothing but time and opportunity to get better, the head coaches around the state are losing sleep, knowing this nightmare is going to last for years to come.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEdVYKnZmWA </div></figure>    <p>Being on the list speaks to Clark's versatility. Even when playing out of position as a small ball four, he's still one of the better players at the position. With footwork, strength, craft, and smarts, Clark can command the post with his scoring and playmaking ability. If he isn't using countermoves, up and under, and step through to get buckets, he's finding cutters and generating quality looks as a passer. However, Clark has shown a different dimension to his game this summer and has gained more comfort in attacking off the dribble making him one the more versatile players in the state.<br></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/julius17wolf/status/1538537527916765186?s=20&t=oKhf-dqlPvIb5uOtoLpy8w </div></figure>    <p>Wright might be the best traditional big man in the state. With the college-ready size and an excellent foundational skill set Wright could play his way into mid-major offers. At 6'10, 250, be a bruiser in the post. He shows solid footwork, balance, and touch when operating down low. Wright has a nice jump hook he can get to anytime he wants and can finish with both hands. On the perimeter, Wright is more than capable of knocking down shots from deep and operating as a stretch five- making him an elite inside-outside threat.<br></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/samwright_41/status/1582186932653592577?s=20&t=oKhf-dqlPvIb5uOtoLpy8w </div></figure>

Here the guys we are expecting to make a major impact this season. Let's check them out!