2023 Rankings Update: New Forwards (Pt. 1)

Devin Ugland March 1, 2023 @ 01:24 PM

<p>There's no better time to revamp a class ranking after a full season worth of viewing teams and players and that's exactly what we did with the class of 2023. There were many prospects who played their way into the latest rankings and in this piece we take a closer look at the new forward additions who cracked the SoCal Top 175 on the latest update.</p>   <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1814760' first='JJ' last='Taylor'], San Ysidro</h4>   <p>Taylor's addition was an obvious one seeing that he's a national level ranked prospect who transferred to a Southern California school before his senior season. The 6-foot-7 Memphis-bound wing is originally from the Chicago area, then transferred to the now defunct Donda Academy, and landed at San Ysidro once Donda went under. Taylor is a dynamic athlete with ball skills and powerful and creative finishing ability around the basket. The wiry wing has displayed multi-level scoring punch and is an elite transition scorer both on or off the ball.</p>   <h4>Kevin Patton, Jr. Rancho Christian</h4>   <p>Patton, Jr. was considered one of the top prospects in Arizona before making the move to Temecula Rancho Christian and his versatile play established him as one of SoCal's best prospects, as well. The 6-foot-8 wing can stretch the floor with the catch and shoot three-point shot, has the ball skills and athleticism to attack the rim and finish with finesse or power, but what separated him during his senior year was his defense, rebounding and impact on winning. Patton, Jr. never shied away from crashing the offensive and defensive boards and showed he can impact the game as a help-side shot blocker. He also helped the Eagles score a handful of impressive nonleague victories in addition to a CIF-SS Division 2AA championship.</p>   <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1814766' first='Isaiah' last='Fields'], West Ranch</h4>   <p>Fields was one of the biggest breakout players of this winter. The 6-foot-6 wing went from being a hyper athletic slasher and finisher in transition and halfcourt settings to being a player who could do a little bit of everything offensively. Fields improved his three-point shooting off the catch and became a perimeter shooter that defenders had to respect and took his off-the-bounce game to a higher level and flashed straight-line drive and finishing ability in transition and half-court offense.</p>   <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1814767' first='Will' last='Smith III'], Bishop Montgomery</h4>   <p>Smith has been the ultimate glue guy for one of SoCal's top programs for the last few years and it's time he gets his credit. The 6-foot-4 wing is a knockdown shooter off the catch, powerful finisher through contact around the basket and plays both ends of the floor with a high motor. Smith's best quality is his ability to guard multiple positions. His size and strength allowed him to compete inside with opposing big men but he also has the lateral speed and athleticism to contain on the perimeter.</p>   <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1814770' first='Bowen' last='Hammer'], Fairmont Prep</h4>   <p>Hammer made his way to Southern California from Utah and made an immediate impact inside and out for Fairmont Prep. The 6-foot-7 wing is best known for his smooth shooting ability from three-point range but flashed plenty of other tools in his offensive arsenal. Not only did the senior hit shots off the catch and off the bounce but he also created for teammates off the dribble and scored with floaters and pull-ups in the painted area.</p>

There's no better time to revamp a class ranking after a full season worth of viewing teams and players and that's exactly what we did with the class of 2023. There were many prospects who played their way into the latest rankings and in this piece we take a closer look at the new forward additions who cracked the SoCal Top 175 on the latest update.