Top ranked, newly-added Class of 2022 Prospects

Tony Callero

August 19, 2021 @ 01:50 PM

Players newly added to the class of 2022 rankings need to be closely watched as they enter their senior seasons. With the entire fall season still ahead, followed by a winter season, continued improvement is expected as these players have been on an upward trend since last spring. The highest ranked new player for the class of 2022 is #22 [player_tooltip player_id="1145121" first="Tayon" last="Sessoms"]. The physical point guard from West Seattle High School has a four year college body and a leader’s mentality. He is explosive enough to grab defensive rebounds and go coast-to -coast and finish with the dunk. Defensively, he competes like a warrior and stays composed. His quick hands and understanding of the game allow him to force turnovers and create fast breaks. Sessoms moved into Washington from Colorado this year, otherwise he would have likely been ranked in the top 25 for this class much earlier. Another newly ranked point guard is #27 [player_tooltip player_id="1208113" first="Nate" last="Harding"] 6-1 from Chelan High School and Team Lavine. Harding is a shot maker who needs little space or time to get his shot off. His quick, deep-pull three off the dribble is nearly impossible to defend. What has allowed him to break into the rankings however is his improved explosiveness, fearlessness when attacking the basket and tenacity on defense. Four year colleges are now showing interest in the quick, scoring point guard who can defend. [player_tooltip player_id="1262697" first="Andrew" last="Hommes"] is a 6-7 small forward from Lynden Christian High School who played impressively for Friends of Hoop this summer. Hommes has the size, length, athleticism and feel for the game that definitely translates to the next level. Currently his likely position in college is on the wing. This is not to say he can’t pass the ball like a point guard or rebound and defend like a post but he is a pure, three-point shooter with a high release that allows him to get clean looks even while closely guarded beyond the line. His play this summer where he showcased his length and range earned him an offer from D1 Idaho State. Another big wing is #31 [player_tooltip player_id="1262698" first="Carson" last="Talbert"]. He is a 6-7 forward from Tahoma High School and Friends of Hoop. Talbert is a player with above average high post offensive skills and rebounding ability. He is at his best as a help defender who can block shots, a rebounder who makes quick outlets, and as a face-up high post player with great footwork. Once he becomes a consistent three point threat or improves as a ball handler, he will be a four year level wing. He may go the other way though and with added strength he may be able to defend the fours and fives at the next level. Based on his improvement over the last season, he is definitely trending in the right direction. Coming in at #70 is [player_tooltip player_id="1139505" first="Sal" last="Savusa"]. The 6-1 point guard from Auburn Mountainview High School is at his best with the ball in his hands. He has an impressive step back mid-range game, an ability to finish after contact and a good nose for the basket. He can attack to his left and right and is comfortable with the ball in a crowd where he usually finds a way to get a shot up over, around or through help defenders. When the #71 ranked player is as good as [player_tooltip player_id="1262750" first="Nick" last="Strecker"], it is clear that Washington’s class of 2022 is a deep class. Strecker is a supremely confident 6-0 combo guard from Manson High School. Strecker plays point for his high school but has catch and shoot skills that translate to the next level. Strecker loves the three point shot and is a volume shooter. He also understands how to use the scouting report on him, to his advantage. Defenders must respect his willingness to launch from deep and Strecker can use pump fakes off the catch or hesitations off the dribble to get to the basket. The right handed shooter is more likely to attack with his left, but once he gets close to the basket, he will finish with which ever hand is the most advantageous.