2023 Rankings Climbers in the Top 50

Previous Rank: 26

Miller’s talent has never been in question. He’s a high-flying 6’6 guard with explosiveness on both ends of the court that simply overpowers many opponents. However, this season he has shown an incredibly improved and reliable handle that has helped him get to the rim with better efficiency, drawing more fouls, and putting pressure on help side defenders. It’s a big reason his game has taken off this season and helped Gonzaga Prep get to an 8-1 record. Miller has also welcomed the role as the number one guy for the Bullpups and has played with exceptional confidence. He’s attacking defenders from multiple areas, playing through contact, and he’s been a force on the glass knowing his team needs his size on the boards.

Previous Rank: 31

Another top-tier athlete in the state, Weems has been a defensive wizard and a tyrant at the rim. He is such an elite finisher that most games you won’t see him shoot farther out than a foul shot. This season, he has only gotten better and more electric. He is a steal machine, reading angles, jumping lanes, and showing he is one of the best defenders in the state. Think you have an easy transition bucket? Think again. Weems has the pace to easily chase down breakaways and reject shots at the rim. With all that being said, what has impressed me most with his development has been his playmaking offensively. When defenses start to plug the paint, Weems has to be able to find open guys and he has done a tremendous job of that this season. When the rim isn’t available, he finds baseline shooters but is also making key passes from the top of the key, finding guys up court in transition, and showing excellent vision of the whole court.

Previous Rank: 64

Washington was a new arrival to the state the last time we updated the 2023 rankings. Now that we’ve gotten to know him a little better it’s easy to see the BFL big man has some serious talent. He’s already got the body to play at the next level at 6’8 with broad shoulders and a powerful base. But he’s not just a big body, Washington knows how to find space off of pick and rolls or when his teammates drive and draw extra defenders. He’s an excellent finisher around the rim and once he establishes position, he is not likely to be moved. This helps with rebounding, entry passes, and ensuring he starts his attack as close to the rim as possible. Even when his strength is matched in the post, he has the wherewithal to feel out where the defender is leveraging him and spin out of it towards the hoop.

Previous Rank: 45

Johnson has really flourished at Curtis this season and been able to display all his talents for one of the best teams in the state. At Central Kitsap last season, he was a big-time scorer with an elite faceup game, hitting tough shots from the midrange as well as taking defenders off the bounce and making his way to the rim. He still has that in his bag for Curtis but he’s also showing a more well-rounded game and adding value to the team through defense and playmaking. The defense has probably been the most impressive aspect of his senior season. He’s a threat to block shots with his athleticism, can keep up with smaller guards but also has the strength to defend in the post. He has been a really strong addition to the defending 4A champs and brings big effort each time he steps between the lines.

Previous Rank: 51

Fassilis was a monster at the end of last season and has kept that same energy entering the midway point of the 2022-23 season. He is a 6’5 point-forward that does everything for a Union team fighting to prep for a postseason run. He runs the offense, instigates action to the rim, rebounds on both ends of the floor, and has the ability to defend the rim against some of the best inside players. I would challenge you to find another player that shoulders that kind of responsibility in the state. With all that responsibility and capability, he obviously possesses a ton of skill that allows him to fit the mold of multiple positions, but somehow, he overshadows that versatility and skill with the effort and tenacity he plays with.

Previous Rank: 44

Reilly is the shot-maker for one of the surprising and rising teams in the 4A this season. After missing out on the state tournament last year, Skyline entered this season a little under the radar. Thanks in part to Reilly, the Spartans are gaining attention and look like serious contenders. He’s a 6’6 shooting guard, emphasis and the shooting, and has been one of the better players at hitting clutch, contested shots in the early going of the season. He’s got the eyes of a shooter that seem to lock onto the hoop despite a hand in his face and drain shots right over the top of defenders. Reilly also has condensed quickness, with a few one dribble moves to shake free of tight defense and get just enough room for his shot to breathe. He’s been a big factor on the boards too and continues to use his size to influence the game.

Previous Rank: 50

Holden went nuclear in the month of December, posting games of 46, 54, and now 50 points. He’s shown that if you play up tight, he can drive right around you but if you lag off, he’ll drill the three in your face. It begs the question; how do you guard him? He doesn’t pop out right away as a guy that physically will handle that kind of scoring load night after night, but he does just that, at one point scoring 100 total points across back-to-back nights. He is an underrated athlete, and it shows not just with his quick first step but also on the defensive end where he challenges opponents to beat him one-on-one. It will be fun to see where he goes from here as he seems determined to take the Lumberjacks as high as they can go before his high school career is over.

Previous Rank: 56

Brown was often the overlooked player for Auburn last season. In a lineup of four soon-to-be D1 players, Brown was the only one set to return for another year of high school ball. Now that he’s back, it seems his new-look Aubueam are the ones slightly passed over. But as we enter the new year, Auburn sits at 6-4 with three of those losses coming out of state, and Brown has emerged as a leader for the Trojans in more ways than one. He is their anchor defensively, with the ability to guard all positions, rebound well, and lead the way vocally. His impact on the floor goes beyond the stat sheet, but even so, he still has the ability to put up buckets, make tough plays, and put his hands all over the game.