2023 Rankings: Stock Risers

We have dropped our final 2023 rankings, and here are some of the players that saw their stock rise in the rankings and the analysis of their play that helped them find movement in the final installment.     [player_tooltip player_id='1385927' first='Caden' last='Johnson'] (6'4/G/'23/Jacksonville HS)   Instagram: cadenjohnson_   Caden really was able to evolve into himself throughout his senior campaign and has helped himself jump five spots in the final rankings as he has gone from #19 to #14. He had an exceptional performance during the final four and has positioned himself to go to the next level and contribute immediately. He is one of the most versatile players in his class and is a match-up nightmare on offense, and can defend multiple positions on defense. With his athleticism, he will be able to be used in numerous ways at the next level. The departure of [player_tooltip player_id='836599' first='Cade' last='Phillips'] provided an opportunity on the Jacksonville squad that Caden took advantage of to the fullest.   <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>   [player_tooltip player_id='836595' first='Tyler' last='Mallory'] (5'7/PG/Greenville HS)   Instagram: Glizzzy.Tyler    Twitter: @Tyleryoungbull   Tyler made a significant jump in the rankings from #35 to #15 as he had games where he scored in the 60s, 50s, 40s, and 30s finishing the season averaging 30-plus points. He is an elite-level scorer, and he is doing it while standing 5'7. He is a different type of lead guard that will find his way to the next level and be used to facilitate, yet given the green light to score the rock when he can. Some may have a question mark next to his name due to his size, but he has seen all kinds of defenders and defenses, and still, no one has really been able to contain him. He can flat-out score the rock, and that is an attribute of his game that will benefit a program next fall.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/PH-Sam-Wright-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/PH-Sam-Wright-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1798833" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1684481' first='Sam' last='Wright'] (6'10/F/'23/Spain Park HS)   Instagram: s_wright_41   Twitter: @samwright_41   Sam jumped from #41 to #16 in the final rankings. He really emerged as one of the best frontcourt players in his class this season. He showed offensive versatility and scoring prowess that was unmatched by other post players in the state. He showed his ability to score inside and out, and he was highly effective in both areas. His confidence grew throughout the season, and you could see Sam evolve into a player with the mindset of knowing just how good he was on the offensive end of the floor. He had some sensational performances down the stretch leading his team to the final four and the #16 spot. Like I always say, when it comes to rankings, it could be questioned if we have him too low. Defensively, he still has some room for improvement in his one on one match-ups on the perimeter, but he handles himself well when defending on the low block.     [player_tooltip player_id='1877064' first='Jayden' last='Cooper'] (6'2/CG/'23/Pike Road)   Jayden moves from being unranked to the #39 ranked player in the final rankings. Jayden is a combo guard whose strength is scoring the rock. Some questioned the level of competition he went up against at times, but when you dive into Jayden's game, you can tell that he has the propensity to score the rock against all levels of talent. He is a quick open-court athlete who has good straight-line speed and is an excellent finisher in the paint and at the rim. He is quick off the bounce and literally kept defenders in a state of confusion trying to figure out how to defend him. He is a three-level scorer that was one of the best scorers in the state and was also one of the best iso scorers in the game this year.      [player_tooltip player_id='1386199' first='Terrence' last='Robinson'] (6'1/F/'23/Buckhorn)   Terrence jumps from the #91 spot to the #57-ranked player in his class. It is tough to find a player who brought more value to his team during the second half of the season in the way that Terrence did for the eventual 6A state championship squad. His effectiveness was not in the scoring column, even though he often received dump-off passes from Caleb Holt that led to easy buckets. T-Rob's effectiveness was seen on the glass and on the defensive end of the floor, and he raised his stock by being one of the best in both those areas during his senior campaign.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Drew-Winegarden-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Drew-Winegarden-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1738803" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1876952' first='Drew' last='Winegarden'] (6'1/CG/'23/Tuscaloosa County)   Instagram: drewwinegarden   Twitter: @dwinegarden15   Drew is another player that moved from being un-ranked to ranked, and he comes in as the #59-ranked player in his class. He really benefitted from the season that Tuscaloosa County had this year, as many eyes were on his squad, anticipating a deep playoff run. Drew was at the center of his team's success this year, and he was at the helm of the ship. He was an extremely reliable floor general that could score the rock and get others involved. His leadership capacities were evident throughout the year, but none more than when his squad reached area play. He was a calming and stabilizing force when Tuscaloosa County began experiencing adversity down the stretch. He is a combo guard that can be a reliable lead guard at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='1876913' first='Jatavius' last='Colvin'] (6'0/G/'23/Aliceville)   Jatavius moves to the #60-ranked player in the final rankings after being unranked, and his movement was solely due to his performance during the final four. He is a lefty that can score the rock, and he is a downhill attacking guard that is also shifty off the bounce. In both the semi-final and the championship games, his squad looked to him for scoring, and he delivered in both games. Jatavius is a heady player with a good basketball instinct and a good feel for the game. He is a scorer off the bounce that understands how to find space for his shot. He has a skill set well suited for the next level.

We have dropped our final 2023 rankings, and here are some of the players that saw their stock rise in the rankings and the analysis of their play that helped them find movement in the final installment.