2022 Rankings Update: Predicting Stock Boosting Bigs

<p>This was a rankings update that took us quite some time as we made sure to see as many prospects as we could in person as well as look at how they fared throughout the summer and began the season. The 2022 class is a fun one because these players are so young and going through so many adaptations rather it be with their body and growing, adapting to high school life and the idea of practice daily or just understanding the game of basketball in a new way. This was our first time ranking the 2022 class and this is a class that I can already tell will have a MASSIVE movement in the next two seasons. We will have plenty of updates by the time that this group graduates but here are some bigs that we are predicting will make a jump in our next rankings.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joel-speckman/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joel-speckman/">Joel Speckman</a></a> II – Chaparral</strong></h3> <p>I mean, what really is the ceiling for the No. 15 player in the class? Well, by senior year I am expecting him to be one of the best players in the entire class as he has immense potential and skill to go along with it. He is already 6’7 as a sophomore and after not playing any varsity minutes last season has stepped right into the fire and been able to handle the heat. Chaparral is a team that I feel opposing teams give them their best every time out. They have solid guard play and a solid balance of big men and Speckman II is able to help the team in every way that they need. He helps in ways that do not show up on the scoreboard such as altering shots at the rim, getting out on smaller defenders and being able to hold them for a second and also seems to be involved in every loose ball opportunity. He is a big man that moves well, has a great motor and soft touch around the rim. This season he is able to put up 7.1 points a game but he is also averaging a team-high 5.3 rebounds a game while also patrolling the paint and holding his own against the other big guy. He is an exciting player to watch and will continue to grow.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/lamarius-royston/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/lamarius-royston/">Lamarius Royston</a></a> – Overland</strong></h3> <p>If I am not mistaken, Royston has made the transfer from Smoky Hill and should be a big part of their team in the future. He will not be able to rise in our next ranking unless he completely comes out and dominates at the beginning of the summer but the one after that he should be able to prove that he not only belongs but stands out. Royston is a physical big man that bangs no matter who is down there, is able to guard multiple positions and is a glass cleaner with a great motor. He can get down the floor, sets hard screens and is a bruiser that goes straight up when he gets the ball. He still has a lot to work on offensively but will impact games on the defensive end for sure. Royston is a player that every team needs as he adds toughness and physicality and I will take a competitor like that any day. He is No. 24 right now, will likely see a drop in the next rankings but will surely get back up when we are able to see him this summer and for next season.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/derik-pranger/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/derik-pranger/">Derik Pranger</a></a> – Arapahoe</strong></h3> <p>Pranger is a player that is on a team that has two very good senior guards so he is trying his best to fit in and do what the team needs him to do. They need a guy to give 100% energy and go after rebounds, he has it. They want a player to set up for charges and go after loose balls, he has it. But there will come a time soon where he will have to step out and do more and I feel as if that time will be soon. Pranger is a player that scores because he is active on the boards and works without the ball. This will be a crucial summer for him where he evaluates his game and has to truly put in the time to get better but the good thing is he has the willingness to outwork others and has intangibles to build on. There is a possibility for him to improve but it all depends on him.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joey-bilello/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joey-bilello/">Joey Bilello</a></a> – Thunder Ridge</strong></h3> <p>Bilello is a player that adds extended depth to the large frontcourt that the Grizzlies have and is a player that is slowly but surely starting to get better with more varsity minutes. Billelo is not a player that takes a bunch of shots or forces the issue inside and that is something that he will have to work on as his length and size create easy scoring opportunities. When he does take shots though he is pretty efficient as he uses his size and body to get inside and finish around smaller defenders. He is a 6’7 player that can step out and space the floor, which will go a long way, can put it on the floor a bit and also makes his free throw. He has soft touch around the rim and is starting to get more comfortable with his size. Bilello is a player that we will have to take a deeper look at but feel as if he has a high ceiling as he already has so many things to build on.</p>