2023 Rankings: Top Forwards Outside the Top 20
The 2023 rankings saw our biggest shakeups, additions, and risers as this group of basketball players have really got after it over the last few months making major impacts on their high school and travel basketball programs. Today we take…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 rankings saw our biggest shakeups, additions, and risers as this group of basketball players have really got after it over the last few months making major impacts on their high school and travel basketball programs. Today we take a look at some of the Top Forwards in the rankings from our state outside of the Top 20 Rankings
#24 Jack Wilson Jack Wilson 6'6" | C Manhattan | 2023 State KS , 6’6, Manhattan High, Mokan Select 2023: Really skilled stretch four man with the ability to post and seal for quick scores. Does a lot of damage in the pick and pop game and running into the trailer spot. Really smart player on both ends of the floor and communicates great on defense. Really active on the boards and at tap outs on contested rebounds. Knockdown shooter from the four spot. Earned an offer from NAIA St Mary’s this spring.
#28 Easton Ewing Easton Ewing 6'6" | PF Independence | 2023 State KS , 6’6, Independence: A long and rangy forward who does a ton of damage crashing the boards, running in transition, and getting to the front of the rim for flushes or tough finishes. He is a very active player with great length on the floor and takes up a lot of space. Ewing blocks a bunch of shots and alters much more. Scores it in the paint with either hand and absorbs contact extremely well when going to score the ball.
#30 Will Mlynek Will Mlynek 6'9" | C Free State | 2023 State KS , 6’9, Shawnee Mission South, Drive 5 Elite (Pictured): Big bodied forward who really understands positioning in the post, sealing, and getting to his spots from his post moves. Really solid turning over either shoulder for jump hooks and finishes off the glass. Big body in the screen game and rolls out of them really well creating a ton of steam and makes him tough to stop. Cleans up both sides of the floor on the glass and is a put back machine. Strong player in the post and tough to guard one on one.
#32 Joe Otting Joe Otting 6'3" | C Hayden | 2023 State KS , 6’4, Topeka Hayden: Great combination of size, strength, and speed from the forward spot. Was dominant on Hayden’s run into the state tournament. Otting is one of the best sealers in the post and one of the best overall screeners in the class of 2023. Otting is a terror on the offensive glass which opens up a ton for offenses he plays on and finishes in the paint at an absolutely high level. The big man possesses soft tough with either hand and plays angles really well.
#55 Jerrit Norris Jerrit Norris 6'4" | PF Troy | 2023 State KS , 6’4, Troy: A multi faceted and high scoring forward who can get it done from inside and out. Has some ball handling ability to create off the bounce for himself and others, but is a very gifted overall scorer. Norris is a stat sheet stuffer for Troy and is a vital part to what they do and accomplish throughout the season. The Troy forward is on track for a big senior campaign.
#55 Dylan Werth Dylan Werth 6'7" | PF Hays-Tmp | 2023 State KS , 6’6, Hays TMP, WKE: A long forward with court running ability and great instincts at blocking shots. Werth has some game with his back to the basket and in the face up game with the ability to knock down 15 footers or attack off a bounce or two into the lane. werth put up monster numbers for a good TMP team this season. With his length, aggressiveness, and instincts, Werth has a ton of upside.
#68 Jailen Thompson Jailen Thompson 6'5" | PF Free State | 2023 State KS , 6’5, Free State, Mokan Select 2023: Has been really consisitent this grassroots spring with Mokan contributing in both the scoring and rebounding game and during the high school season was one of the major X-Factors for a loaded Free State roster. Going into net season Thompson will have a much expanded role and will be a focal point for them. Look for a major stock rise for the Free State forward after putting together a big summer scoring it with his athleticism in transition, aggressiveness on the boards, and highlight making plays at the rim.