2023 Rankings ‘Players Off To A Fast Start’

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Several players in the 2023 rankings are off to a fast start this season. Let's look at a few…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1572442,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/PH-Xzayvion-Childress.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/PH-Xzayvion-Childress.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1572442" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='971160' first='Xzayvion' last='Childress']</strong>&nbsp;(6'0/CG/Thompson HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: xzayvionc</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The transfer from Calera has made an immediate impact on the Thompson program. He has stepped into the leadership duties and earned the respect of the younger guys in the locker room through the hard work he has exhibited every day since his arrival. He is one of the most gifted playmakers in the state, as he is quick off the bounce and has a great burst when attacking the rim. He has excellent vision and can make all the necessary passes. He has a balanced floor game, as he has a nice feel for when his scoring and facilitating are needed. He has a bag full of tools at his disposal, and he is comfortable utilizing them all to either score or to get his teammates scoring opportunities. He is definitely the primary piece to any hopes of a deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has excellent vision and can make all the necessary passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1355584,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/PH-Will-Hawkins.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/PH-Will-Hawkins.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1355584" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385941' first='Will' last='Hawkins']&nbsp;</strong>(6'3/CG/Sparkman HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: _williamhawkins_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @_williamhawkins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Will was having a good start to the season then he recently had an injury to his leg about two weeks ago. He is back now and is working his way into form. Prior to the injury, he was scoring the rock with good efficiency, showing off his inside-out game, and making winning plays to help his team compete night in and night out. He is a natural scorer that plays with a competitive edge and can light it up from anywhere on the court. Sparkman still needs to get a level of consistency, and with a healthy Will, they could shock some people along the way. Will is our #15 ranked player and should be able to produce enough to push Sparkman over the edge in some key upcoming match-ups. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SparkmanHoops/status/1600180470901141504","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SparkmanHoops/status/1600180470901141504 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1697126,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Tyler-Mallory-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Tyler-Mallory-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1697126" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836595' first='Tyler' last='Mallory']&nbsp;</strong>(5'7/PG/Greenville HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Glizzzy.Tyler&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Tyleryoungbull</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The #35 ranked player has been one of the most impressive players in the state thus far. He has dropped 41pts, 44pts and even had a 57pt performance early on. He scores with variety, does it all levels, and is one of the most skilled scoring guards in the state. By far, scoring is the strength of his game. Some question his size, but the numbers and the eye test do not lie. His size isn't scaring everyone off as the offers are starting to come in, and interest is piling up. Tyler is a competitive, tough, and aggressive guard that is the epitome of a shotmaker. He is highly productive with numbers that stand out. Many say we have him way too low at #35, and with his early season performances, you get no argument from this end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GreenvilleBBALL/status/1594690787178061827","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GreenvilleBBALL/status/1594690787178061827 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1564734' first='JJ' last='Crawford']&nbsp;</strong>(5'10/PG/Bryant HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: iamjjcrawford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The #29-ranked player has had some productive performances early on this season, and he is making his case that he is ranked too low. He has had some 20pt and 30pt performances, and if the early season production is an indicator of what is to come, be on the lookout for more huge numbers to come from JJ. He is a small lead guard that can score the rock with the best of them. Despite his size, he is strong, has a lot of stamina, and just keeps coming on the offensive end. He doesn't get worn down, and he plays with a lot of energy and effort. He is at his best when he has the ball in his hands, and he has the freedom to create, and in actuality, Bryant is better when JJ is playing this way. As he eyes the next level, his ability to make others around him better will be an added value, but for now, Bryant needs him to produce, especially if they have plans on a deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1653672,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PH-KJ-Graves-c.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PH-KJ-Graves-c.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1653672" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1070796' first='Kj' last='Graves']&nbsp;</strong>(5'10/PG/Park Crossing HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Lii Jayy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Kjupnextt3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">KJ is our #23-ranked player and has the game to be considered for a higher ranking. He is a gifted scorer that can get it done at all levels. He has been a crunch-time performer in some early match-ups this year and has even made buckets to send games into OT. As much as a potent scorer that KJ is, one question still surrounds him: his motor. When I laid eyes on him early this season, I was impressed with his talent, but I left the gym questioning his ability to just be a 'dawg' on the floor. It is a given that he brings a lot to the floor, he is loaded with a solid toolbox, and can make plays off the bounce for himself and his teammates. As good as he has been early on, he is going to have to find a way to bring it even more if he is going to lead his team back to the Final Four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KJ is our #23-ranked player and has the game to be considered for a higher ranking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Haaziq Lofton</strong>&nbsp;(5'10/PG/Murphy HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Haaziq_loftin_jr</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Ballislif3Z</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The only thing that has changed about the transfer from Chickasaw is his uniform. He continues to be a big-time scorer, blistering teams in the scoring column. Haaziq is known for his scoring prowess and has become one of the best at doing it. He is an off-the-bounce creator that can get his own in the open court or in half-court action. The #21 ranking can be debated, but we think he is right where he should be at the moment. His addition to Murphy found him operating in the same 1 or 2 scoring option as he was on his previous squad. When the dust of expectations surrounding Haaziq's game settle, you have a player that is a sturdy guard who excels at penetrating the lane, scoring from mid-range and at the rim, and a player that can score from behind the arc.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Ballislif3Z/status/1589790177354207232","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Ballislif3Z/status/1589790177354207232 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->