Updated 2023 Rankings: New Names to Know
In this article:
On Thursday we published our updated Class of 2023 prospect rankings. By now you are familiar with the names who have remained at the top of the list for a year or more. Names like five-star recruits Justin Edwards Justin…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOn Thursday we published our updated Class of 2023 prospect rankings. By now you are familiar with the names who have remained at the top of the list for a year or more. Names like five-star recruits Justin Edwards Justin Edwards 6'6" | PF Imhotep Charter | 2023 State #3 Nation PA , Rahmir Barno Rahmir Barno 5'10" | CG Imhotep Charter | 2023 State #223 Nation PA and Sultan Adewale Sultan Adewale 6'8" | SF Neumann-Goretti | 2023 State #205 Nation PA .
So today we scoured the Pennsylvania Class of 2023 rankings to reveal six players who earlier this week appeared in our 2023 rankings for the first time.
Below is a review of six southeastern Pennsylvania 2023 prospects who made their rankings debut in our latest update.
#32… Christian Kirkland Christian Kirkland 6'7" | SG Friends Select | 2023 State PA – 6’7” / Senior / Friends Select / We R1 / Wing: After mulling over several DI offers, Kirkland (15 pts. & 13 rebs. per) recently committed to Youngstown State. The Penguins are getting a versatile wing / point forward in the mold of prime Lamar Odom — only Kirkland is more explosive. This lefty can grab a rebound and go coast-to-coast. He can splash threes and mid-range jumpers. Plus, he converts on second chance opportunities. Kirkland was a two-time All-Friends School League selection.
#100… Joshua Wyche Joshua Wyche 6'7" | SF Cristo Rey Philadelphia | 2023 State PA – 6’7″ / Cristo Rey Philadelphia / K Low Elite / Small Forward: After posting over 20 points and 8 boards per game, this long and athletic double-double machine was named the Penn-Jersey AA POY. His most impressive double-double was his 24 points and 14 rebounds performance against Life Center (NJ). On offense this playmaker can score at all 3 levels and handle the rock. That combination enables him to fill several scoring roles. On defense Wyche can guard 1 through 4. This season Wyche led Cristo Rey to a school record 26 wins and the PJAA league title. Wyche is committed to Lafayette.
#135… Mekhi Shillingford Mekhi Shillingford 6'6" | SF Penn Wood | 2023 State PA – 6’6″ / Penn Wood / Shawn Warren Elite / Small Forward: Shillingford (11 ppg. & 8 rpg.) is a large and physical prospect with extremely capable hands. His ability to find space around the rim, catch a drop pass and then finish through contact is impressive. Shillingford also does a respectable job of working the offensive glass for putbacks. On the defensive end he is a tremendous rebounder and intimidating rim protector who averaged 3 blocks per contest and recorded 5+ swats in multiple games.
#183… Carson Mastin Carson Mastin 6'3" | SG George School | 2023 State PA – 6’3″ / George School / Athletes Plus Academy / Shooting Guard: Mastin was a key piece for this year’s George School team that was the Friends School League champion and the PAISAA state tourney runner up. Mastin notched 12 points in that state title contest. He is an athletic, deceptively quick 2-guard with a long wingspan and hops. Those physical assets allow Mastin to get out on the fast break for easy points. As a bonus, Mastin is a high percentage 3-point shooter and can get to his mid-range game off the dribble.
#219… Amyr Walker Amyr Walker 6'1" | SG West Catholic | 2023 State PA – 6’1” / West Catholic / Wing: An opposing coach once described Walker as an “absolute dawg” which is the highest of compliments. As the fourth option for West Catholic, he averaged 7 ppg. while shooting 37% from three. However, Walker did breakout for games of 20 and 16 points this season. College coaches will love his intensity, high basketball IQ, rebounding (4 rpg.) and excellent team defense. This season Walker helped WC reach the PCL tourney semis and the District 12-3A title.
#238…Julian Pagan – 6’2” / Pocono Mountain West / NEPA Elite / Combo Guard: Pagan is a quick guard with elusive handles who can score at all three levels. This season as the No. 1 option for PMW, he averaged 20 ppg. and splashed over 50 threes. Pagan racked up three 30-spots this season and had eight games of 24 or more points. In addition to scoring, Pagan can facilitate for others as a point guard. Last month Pagan committed to Kutztown University (D3).