The highschool season is coming to an finish. With some states already having ended their seasons in February corresponding to Nevada and North Carolina (personal faculties), you will have states like Minnesota and Michigan that don’t even start their playoffs till March. There will likely be appreciable modifications within the Ballislife FAB 50 main into March, the McDonald’s All-American groups had been introduced, and gamers all through the nation need to put that banner up within the rafters for 2023.
Between occasions in Atlanta, Ohio, and Georgia, listed here are a number of of the highest gamers who I watched excel over the previous two weeks.
Airious Bailey, 6’9, SF/PF, McEachern (Energy Springs, GA), 2024
In probably the most dominant defensive performances that I’ve seen this season all through the nation, “Ace” Bailey fully managed the sport in McEachern’s opening spherical AAAAAAA Playoff win over South Gwinnett (Lou Williams’ alma mater). At 6-foot-9 with loopy size, Baily actually defended all 5 positions at occasions all through the sport. The mixture of motor, insane lateral quickness, and noteworthy timing as a shot blocker put him proper there with the most effective within the nation for ‘24 defensively. On the offensive facet, the Rutgers commit performed solely going through the rack, showcasing his uncooked expertise and flattening numerous mid-range pullups.
Stephon Citadel, 6’6, SG, Newton (GA), 2023
One of many two McDonald’s All People to make it out of Georgia (with Wheeler lead guard Isaiah Collier being the opposite), Citadel confirmed why UCONN followers are loopy hyped for his arrival in Storrs. Standing a legit 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, he’s obtained the prototypical measurement that you simply search for out of a two guard in in the present day’s recreation. Watching Newton’s playoff recreation towards South Gwinnett, Stephon Citadel confirmed what makes him such a particular prospect. He performed the sport with a fantastic tempo off of the bounce, obtained to his spots with ease, then pulled up for easy mid-range jumpshots, a la DeMar DeRozan. Citadel scored effectively with restricted dribbles, but in addition confirmed his means to create for others en path to a 29 level, 11 rebound, 4 help, 5 steal displaying in a primary spherical playoff win towards Harrison. The mixture of measurement, athleticism, and versatile expertise that Citadel gives will instantly make him one of many extra extremely touted freshmen in school basketball subsequent season.
Nolan Winter, 6’11, PF, North (Lakeville, MN), 2023
Proper up there as one of many main finalists for Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball, Winter has lived as much as each little bit of his popularity all through his senior marketing campaign. He has paced his Lakeville North squad to a 22-2 report (together with 15 straight wins as of publication) whereas posting averages of 23 factors and 12 rebounds per recreation. The Wisconsin recruit is much out of your conventional massive man, owing the flexibility to step out to the 3-point line (34 % from 3-point) and take slower defenders off of the bounce. In his senior evening recreation we had been within the constructing for, Howard Pulley’s prime 2023 prospect poured in an easy 24 factors, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks in restricted taking part in time all through his last dwelling recreation. Except for his regular expertise, what actually stood out probably the most about Nolan’s development was his comfortability and improved footwork making scoring strikes on the block. With a brilliant sturdy lineage (his father is former Timberwolves middle Trevor Winter), Winter is actually a reputation that you simply’ll be listening to about within the Huge Ten.
Jalen Wilson, 6’7, SF, St. Margaret’s (Benilde, MN), 2025
Thought-about by many to be the highest sophomores within the state of Minnesota, Wilson is the kind of mismatch drawback that makes him awfully robust to protect at the highschool degree. At 6-foot-7 with a really sturdy body, Wilson can make the most of his measurement to submit smaller defenders and management the glass on the defensive finish. Nonetheless, the 2025 prospect additionally has the ability degree to stretch the protection out to the 3-point line and take slower defenders off the bounce. Working with Howard Pulley in EYBL, Wilson has already been on campus at quite a few Huge Ten faculties and can proceed to achieve extra consideration along with his excessive degree of productiveness.
M.J. Whitlock, 6’2, PG/SG, Newton (GA), 2023
Whereas Citadel will get a ton of the eye, his backcourt operating mate Whitlock is among the greatest unsigned gamers left within the state of Georgia. He brings severe vitality to the desk on each ends, has deep 3-point vary, and confirmed the flexibility to play both guard place at occasions for Newton. Named to 7A All Area First Group, folks in Atlanta actually learn about Whitlock and plenty of all through the area will as nicely all through the Georgia state playoffs.
Kevin Hamilton, 5’8, PG, St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, OH), 2023
Hamilton is the definition of “coronary heart over top”. A two-time state champion in Ohio’s largest division, the diminutive lead guard is among the best playmakers the state has to supply. “Fats” is a dependable 3-point shooter, performs with a fantastic change of tempo, and might actually facilitate an offense. Hamilton has a severe shot of main his squad to a 3rd straight state title and was named MVP (23 factors) of his squad’s victory on the Ken Ganley Play-By-Play Basic.
