2022-23 Garfield Bulldogs Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs were touted by many as the most talented team in Washington last season. Even with all the big-time talent graduating this summer, Garfield is still one of the most talented teams in the entire state. They lost arguably the top player in the 2022 class but continue to churn out high-level players, boasting the number one player in Washington's 2023 class, and one of the top players from the state's 2025 class as well. Here's a quick look at new players, players leaving, and key returners for the 2022-23 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Graduated: </em></strong>Koren Johnson <em>(Washington)</em>, Kenzel Massey <em>(Northwest Tech)</em>, Raphiel Justice, Tremaine Guidry, Jazel Brown <em>(Elite Prep)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Incoming: </em></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923116' first='Jamari' last='Jackson'] <em>(Franklin)</em>, [player_tooltip player_id='1436196' first='Myles' last='Daymon'] <em>(Rainier Beach)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Key Returners: </em></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923128' first='Jaylin' last='Stewart'], [player_tooltip player_id='923119' first='Sherrell' last='McCullum Jr.'], [player_tooltip player_id='1270842' first='Emmett' last='Marquardt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1450985' first='Legend' last='Smiley'], [player_tooltip player_id='923105' first='Yemoni' last='Bradley-Howell']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2021-22, Garfield thrived on playing tough, swarming defense, creating turnovers, and running teams to death in the open court. They look primed to keep that style going with great guard depth, athleticism across the board, and big men who can shoot and finish with authority. Let's see the guys who are next up to chase yet another state title for the Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63445f68a2da2","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["923128"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1621088,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Starting with the top-ranked player in the state, Stewart makes plays all over the court and brings a skillset that burns even the best defenders. The UConn commit can score any way you please, and his defensive effort is quietly just as impressive. He shows great hands getting tips, explodes toward the rim to reject shots, and has the length and footwork to lockdown smaller, quicker players.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["923119"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The second half of their frontcourt duo last season, McCullum plays a huge role for the Bulldogs with his physicality and relentless pursuit of the ball around the rim. He controls the glass, powers up shots at the rim, and can hit the mid-range when defenders decide to sink in. Garfield relies heavily on him to win the battle at the basket on both sides of the floor.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1270842"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Marquardt didn't get a ton of run last season but when he did, his potential was clear. He's a big kid who can stroke the long ball, and this summer he showed an increased physicality and aggression that should make him a key part of Garfield's 2022-23 season. He's a guy who can hit from outside, bury tough shots at the rim, and play strong defense, blocking shots and snatching down rebounds. If he continues his solid summer play, Garfield will look unstoppable with their height and skill in the frontcourt.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1450985"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The next guy up in Garfield's continuous cycle of elite talent is [player_tooltip player_id='1450985' first='Legend' last='Smiley']. He has the size and skill to be a special type of player. He was able to be a constant contributor last season as a freshman, knocking down threes, playing solid defense, and showing some superior finishing skill at the rim. He has kept growing, kept getting stronger, and should have a great season for one of the 3A favorites.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["923105"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"If anyone on this team has been overlooked, it could be Bradley-Howell. He has been a big presence off the bench for Garfield, handling the ball, giving good scoring in his minutes, and providing a really strong body in the backcourt. Garfield had a super deep backcourt last season, and though they'll have good depth again, I expect Bradley-Howell to show us even more in the coming season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["923116"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Jackson is an interesting piece to this team coming over from Franklin High School. He is going to be a big threat from downtown, spacing the floor for the Bulldogs, but he also brings underrated athleticism that should play right into their high-pressure defense. He could have a big year, getting more open looks with all of the talent this team has attacking the hoop.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1436196"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Daymon is another transfer, this time from Rainier Beach. Like Jackson, he can hit from outside, provides a solid presence who can bring the ball down, and then play tight defense on the other end. He already showed last season what he can do in a high-pressure defense and will be a great addition pushing the ball in transition and keeping the pace up.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is hard to bet against Garfield with the balance of quickness, shooting, strength, and physicality they play with. They have intensity on both sides of the floor, swarming defense, and great depth heading into the new season. They will be one of the favorites to take home the 3A title this season and for good reason, as it's hard to find a hole in this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->