2023 Ranking Risers: Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With so many significant risers in the 2023 class, we decided to look at them in two separate groups. Here are the top-rising forwards from the latest ranking update (listed by number of spots they rose):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1454193' first='Jake' last='Proctor'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2023, Hesston – #31 from #89 (58 spots):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big winner for highest jump in the 2023 rankings goes to the Hesston senior. Proctor remains listed as a forward because of his size and all-around game, but he's doing it all for the Swathers more like a combo guard. He meshed so well with the talented roster that won the past two 3A titles. Though he remains an unselfish player, Proctor is doing what is needed to keep Hesston in the running in 3A again. He is averaging 22 points this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1561989' first='Gabe' last='Sydzyik'], 6-foot-7 forward, 2023, St. James – #64 from #104 (40 spots):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Were it not for Proctor's leap, Sydzik would be the big riser in the rankings. He is a long limbed sniper who is providing great support to fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1146272' first='Brian' last='Hawthorne'] for one of the top teams in 5A. Sydzik can light it up from deep with numerous games of three or more 3-pointers. He's averaging 13 points and 9 boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1378399' first='Trent' last='Long'], 6-foot-5 forward, 2023, Hill City – #67 from #101 (34 spots):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This big guy is always among the statistical leaders in the smaller school ranks. He runs the floor and handles the ball well for his size and is all over the stat sheet. He's averaging 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals for a 7-1 team looking to climb up the rankings in 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1454194' first='Jackson' last='Biggs'], 6-foot-6 forward, 2023, Lyndon – #66 from #90 (34 spots) (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Biggs has been a key component for one of the best 2A teams the past couple of seasons. He has the all-around skills to be a real matchup nightmare. He loves to launch it from deep, but he can be really effective running the court and getting into the paint. His size leads to a lot of defensive rebounds which he can push the other direction. Despite heavy graduation losses, Lyndon is back in the running in 2A, largely due to Biggs' leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1454196' first='Aron' last='Davis'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2023 Seaman – #81 from #102 (21 spots):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no question that Davis is one of the best players in the 2023 class. When he's on the court, he's a difference maker. When he returned from injury last spring, he sparked the Vikings to the 5A title. But the problem is, the big guy has just been hurt too frequently. He's back from off-season surgery and we'll see if he can lift Seaman from a slow start again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->