Top 10 Class of 2023 Small Forwards: 1-5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360185' first='Nick' last='Dial'] - Manzano</strong> (23rd Overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dial was the best player for the Monarchs' and one of the best players in 5A District 5. His freakish athleticism and ability to get to the basket are unmatched, and at 6'4” he has the height to be effective at his position. He averaged 14.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.8 SPG, leading his team in both points and rebounds per game. Dial's vertical ability and finesse around the rim make him hard to stop, and he has a quick first step that helps him get to the basket in a nick of time (no pun intended). Dial has one college offer to Northern New Mexico that I know of, though I'm sure he's gotten much more college interest, as his game will translate well to the next level. He'll be able to utilize his quickness and vertical ability to find success in college basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076705' first='Cedarius' last='Yates'] - La Cueva</strong> (19th Overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yates is one of the most aggressive players in the state, and he does his job as well as anyone. He attacks the basket with tenacity and utilizes his frame to take contact as well as create for himself down low. He averaged 15.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, and 1.0 SPG, leading the team in points and 2nd in rebounds. Yates is probably the best low post small forward in New Mexico, able to utilize positioning in order to finish around the basket, and he gets to the free throw line early and often, allowing the Bears to gain momentum at any point during a game. Yates is also a very strong player, with good balance and body control. I'm not aware of whether Yates holds any college offers, but he's a very strong player who would be able to adjust to the physicality and speed of the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1293133' first='Jett' last='Wyckoff'] - Hope Christian&nbsp;</strong>(8th Overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to put Wyckoff in a single position, as he seems to float around. He's probably the best rebounding small forward in New Mexico, but he's also very capable of spreading the floor and creating for others. He's been able to expand his game in recent years, working on his jump shot and shot creation. Wyckoff really showcased his talents in the playoffs this year, putting up a whopping 37 points with 7 three-pointers in the first round against Kirtland Central, and averaging 17.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 2.3 SPG in Hope Christian's road to the 4A Championship game. Wyckoff recently committed to the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico, where he'll join Rio Grande star [player_tooltip player_id='1234592' first='Jonah' last='Lopez'] on an NMMI roster that will be difficult to defend with both on the roster. Wyckoff's accomplishments during his time at Hope Christian cement his legacy as one of the school's best players in their history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076699' first='Gideon' last='Harris'] - ABC Prep</strong> (7th Overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is one of the best two-way players in his class, excelling at rebounding and on-ball defense. After transferring to ABC Prep from Sandia High School, Harris flourished as one of the top prospects in New Mexico, and has made a name for himself as a versatile do-it-all player. He has been crucial in ABC's success in the Grind Session circuit, as his physicality and switchability on defense makes him ultra valuable to this squad. Harris is also seemingly positionless on offense as he can score from anywhere and is unselfish, allowing for a flow for his team on offense. Harris currently holds two college offers to New Mexico Highlands and Eastern New Mexico, but with his success in the past few months, he no doubt has raised some eyebrows in the college basketball world, and his game should translate well to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1500488' first='Damian' last='Perez'] - Carlsbad </strong>(2nd Overall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perez is one of the most college-ready prospects in the Class of 2023. At 6'5”, Perez has the size and frame to play the small forward position and has the three-level scoring ability to pick apart a defense. Even on a Carlsbad team that didn't make it past the first round of the playoffs, Perez still earned 5A All-Tournament 3rd Team honors, putting up 25 points in their only game. His performances during the regular season earned him 5A All-Regular Season 1st Team honors as one of the top players in all of 5A. Perez recently committed to play at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kansas, where he'll have every opportunity to thrive at the next level, and will surely be able to find success as he ends his high school career as one of the best players to play for Carlsbad High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->