Major changes to top 25 of 2022 rankings

<p>We updated the 2022 rankings on our website earlier this week. In this article we’ll be looking at some of the top movers going up in the top 25 of the new rankings.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921744" first="Evan" last="Mahaffey"], 6’4 SF Moeller: Mahaffey didn’t get much varsity time for Moeller last season, only being eligible for the first half of the season. Despite this, Mahaffey appeared in the 247 national rankings, sitting at 191st in the nation. Mahaffey is starting to show why he is regarded as one of the top wing prospects in the midwest. Mahaffey is a pure athlete who can thrive in transition. Mahaffey also holds solid physical tools which allows him to become a playmaker on the defensive end. Expect Mahaffey to explode onto the scene this season, especially after [player_tooltip player_id="714481" first="Will" last="McCracken"] moved out of state.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809594" first="DJ" last="Moore"], 6’3 PG Worthington Christian: Moore was insanely impressive for NOVA this summer, unleashing a more diverse offensive game. Moore plays at his own pace like a veteran but this summer was taking scoring the basketball into his own hands, knocking down 3’s from all over the court. As Worthington Christian graduates a couple key scorers, expect Moore to take a sharp increase in PPG during his Junior season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="967166" first="Amani" last="Lyles"], 6’8 PF Beechcroft: Lyles exploded onto the scene at a couple 270 Hoops live-streamed events this summer, earning an offer from Cleveland State in the process. Lyles is in terrific shape, adding significant muscle in the process. I expect Lyles to dominate the Columbus City league this season and see many schools put their name in the hat for his services.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809624" first="Elmore" last="James"], 6’4 SG Brush: James has been known as a top perimeter defender and showed the ability to play off the ball with John Hugley. This summer he flashed a much improved perimeter game that becomes deadly when you combine it with his physical strength when driving to the basket. James will get the chance to lead his team himself as an upperclassmen and I expect big things from him this season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921759" first="Javan" last="Simmons"], 6’6 C Gahanna: Simmons is a bit of a sleeper after being used sparingly last season for Gahanna. I thought the Simmons and [player_tooltip player_id="919037" first="Maceo" last="Williams"] lineups actually were pretty successful last season. I expect both to start next to each other this season and I think Gahanna will be one of the top defenses in the state. Simmons is very physical in the paint and starting to flash some perimeter skill each time I watch him.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1082235" first="Priest" last="Ryan"], 6’6 PF Richmond Heights: Ryan is the highest new face in the rankings, coming to Ohio from Pennsylvania. Ryan could be a familiar name to some Ohio basketball fans, as he ran with All-Ohio Red 16 U during the summer alongside guys like [player_tooltip player_id="616810" first="Sean" last="Jones"], [player_tooltip player_id="921749" first="Michael" last="Bova"], [player_tooltip player_id="809600" first="Ramar" last="Pryor"] and others. Ryan should fit right in at Richmond Heights who returns [player_tooltip player_id="809590" first="Josiah" last="Harris"] and [player_tooltip player_id="805186" first="Jamarr" last="Talbert"] and also add [player_tooltip player_id="918965" first="Amarion" last="Dickerson"] into the fold with Ryan. Richmond Heights should be the state title favorite in division IV and should be competitive in games against bigger schools.</p>