2022 Rankings: A Look at the Updated Top 10
With the regular season of the high school season wrapping up, the 2022 rankings in the state have been updated. Here’s a look at the latest Top 10, including who’s still on the board.
10) Xavier McKelvy Xavier McKelvy 6'2" | CG United Faith Christian | 2022 State NC | 6’2 Guard | United Faith Christian (Winthrop)
McKelvy is an explosive, strong 6-foot-2 guard that finds himself in the Top 10 of the NC 2022 Rankings as United Faith Christian Academy approaches state tournament play. He’s averaged 18.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.4 apg and 2.2 spg in his final season with the Falcons as they’re 16-7 and a #2 seed in the NCISAA 1A State Playoff field. He’ll be one to watch heading into the tournament and in the future as he’s committed to Winthrop.
9) Ezra Ausar Ezra Ausar 6'8" | SF Liberty Heights | 2022 State NC | 6’8 Forward|Wing | Liberty Heights National (Unsigned)
Ausar is an import prospect that’s made a name for himself as Liberty Heights Institute. He’s a big, versatile prospect that can operate inside and out as he’s shown in the rotation to earn his spot in the 2022 rankings. He holds offers from UMass, Sam Houston State, McNeese State, Wichita State and Texas A&M among others.
8) Christ Essandoko Christ Essandoko 6'10" | C Winston-Salem Christian | 2022 State NC | 6’10 Center | Winston-Salem Christian (Providence)
Essandoko has shown a polished game on both ends of the floor as a presence on the interior in the 2022 class and holds his place in the Top 10 at No. 8. He’s shown he can hold his own as a rim protector, rebounder and scorer around the rim. As he develops his game in the Providence rotation, he’ll be one to watch, especially with his international ties.
7) Nathan Brafford Nathan Brafford 6'8" | PF Rabun Gap | 2022 State NC | 6’9 Forward/Center | Rabun Gap (Unsigned)
Brafford is another prospect in the 2022 class that continues to hold his spot in the Top 10 with offers from the likes of UNC-Greensboro, Western Carolina, Mercer and others already. He’s put up over 2,000 career points (2,475 to be exact) as one of the top prospects in the area for quite some time. His best basketball is ahead of him.
6) MJ Collins MJ Collins 6'4" | CG Combine Academy | 2022 State #116 Nation NC | 6’4 Guard | Combine Academy (Virginia Tech)
Collins is a Virginia Tech signee that gets after it on both ends. He recently joined the Combine Academy rotation this past winter to boost their profile with his ability. He can knock down shots on the perimeter, get to the rim and plays with a ton of energy on the defensive end. He’s an athletic, wiry guard that’s shown flashes of what he can do.
5) Kheni Briggs Kheni Briggs 6'4" | CG The Burlington School | 2022 State NC | 6’4 Guard | The Burlington School (Charleston Southern)
Briggs is a big guard prospect at 6-foot-3 that’s shown his growth as an all-around scorer at The Burlington School. He’s a Charleston Southern signee that’s looking to defend the Spartans NCISAA 2A State crown. They’re a No. 1 with a bye in this year’s field as they look to go the distance with a talented, deep squad and Brings leading the way.
4) Daniel Sanford Daniel Sanford 6'8" | PF JL Chambers | 2022 State NC | 6’8 Forward | JL Chambers (South Carolina)
Sanford has raised his game in 2021-22 and in turn, he’s moved into the Top 10 to the No. 4 spot in the 2022 class. He’s a versatile forward that can operate inside and out and has played a pivotal role in JL Chambers’ 12-0 finish to the conference slate. He’s posted 16.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 1.0 bpg leading the charge for the Cougars as they look to make a run in the state playoffs in the next few weeks.
3) Patrick Wessler Patrick Wessler 7'0" | C Combine Academy | 2022 State #217 Nation NC | 7’0 Center/Forward | Combine Academy (Virginia Tech)
Wessler has shown his growth as a mobile presence on the floor for Combine Academy and remains steady at the No. 3 spot in the Top 10. He’s got the potential to contribute right away in the Virginia Tech frontcourt given his high IQ and ability to protect the rim and rebound while staying out of foul trouble. His physicality should surprise folks at the next level.
2) Elijah Jamison Elijah Jamison 6'3" | PG Liberty Heights | 2022 State #204 Nation NC | 6’3 Point Guard | Liberty Heights (Unsigned)
Jamison is the top unsigned point guard prospect in the 2022 class and remains at the No. 2 spot. He’s improved his strength and durability while maintaining his ability to score, make plays for others and defend. He’s a prospect that will land on his feet at the D1 level before the fall.
1) Jayden Epps Jayden Epps 6'1" | CG Combine Academy | 2022 State #41 Nation NC | 6’1 Guard | Combine Academy (Illinois)
Epps is a tough, lead-scoring guard that’s led the charge in 2021-22 for Combine Academy and the top prospect in the 2022 class in the state. He’s one of the more prolific scorers in the class that can get hot in a hurry and makes teams pay in a hurry with his three-level scoring ability. He’ll give the Fighting Illini quite the potential scoring threat at the next level.