Rankings Review: 2023 Front-Liners
The featured image is of 2023 forward Laila Hull Laila Hull 6'1" | PF Zionsville | 2023 State #49 Nation IN of Zionsville Community High School. The image is courtesy of Lee Hull’s @FBCoachHull42 Twitter account. Nearly a year ago…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of 2023 forward Laila Hull Laila Hull 6'1" | PF Zionsville | 2023 State #49 Nation IN of Zionsville Community High School. The image is courtesy of Lee Hull’s @FBCoachHull42 Twitter account.
Nearly a year ago I said that the point guard group in 2023 was loaded in Indiana, and while that might still be true at the top of the class, there have been a number of sizeable players really step up as Freshmen, and I’m now of the opinion that the 2023 frontline group might be the deepest group in this class. There are face-up ’4s’, face-up ’5s’, combo forwards, true power forwards, and back-to-the-basket posts. There are defender/rebounder types, and there are those who can really stretch the defense. Whatever colleges need, I feel like Indiana can provide in this class. Below is a look at the top ten frontline prospects in Indiana’s Class of 2023, with additional comments to follow.
Overall |
Prospect |
Ht. |
Pos. |
High School |
2020 Grassroots Program |
4 |
Laila Hull Laila Hull 6'1" | PF Zionsville | 2023 State #49 Nation IN |
6-0 |
CF |
Zionsville | Nike Lady Gym Rats |
8 |
Gabrielle Dean |
6-4 |
C |
Columbus East | Indiana Elite |
16 |
Asiah Baxter Asiah Baxter 5'10" | SF Warren Central | 2023 State IN |
5-10 |
PF |
Warren Central | Nike Lady Gym Rats |
18 |
Shabrea O’Quinn Shabrea O’Quinn 6'1" | C Fort Wayne Wayne | 2023 State IN |
6-1 |
C |
Fort Wayne Wayne | Lady Legit |
19 |
Kelsey DuBois Kelsey DuBois 6'2" | PF University | 2023 State IN |
6-1 |
PF |
University | Indy Magic |
20 |
Josie Trabel Josie Trabel 6'0" | PF East Central | 2023 State IN |
6-0 |
CF |
East Central | Indiana Elite |
22 |
Layla Gold Layla Gold 6'0" | SF Cathedral | 2023 State IN |
5-11 |
CF |
Park Tudor | Nike Lady Gym Rats |
26 |
Exsencia Cloma Exsencia Cloma 6'0" | PF Gary West Side | 2023 State IN |
6-0 |
PF |
Gary West Side | Nike Lady Gym Rats |
27 |
Saige Stahl Saige Stahl 6'1" | PF Columbus East | 2023 State IN |
6-0 |
PF |
Columbus East | Indiana Elite |
33 |
Mackenzie Thomas Mackenzie Thomas 6'1" | C Carmel | 2023 IN |
6-1 |
C |
Carmel |
Nike Lady Gym Rats |
Zionsville’s Laila Hull Laila Hull 6'1" | PF Zionsville | 2023 State #49 Nation IN headlines our Freshmen frontline group, and the 6-0 forward is really expanding her game. She has a great frame, she’s a tremendous athlete, but now she’s handling it a little better, plus she’s shooting it much, much better from the perimeter. She’ll be exciting to follow, because I think she might grow another inch or two as well as see her game continue to grow. Another top prospect who just hasn’t had the statewide exposure yet, is Shabrea O’Quinn Shabrea O’Quinn 6'1" | C Fort Wayne Wayne | 2023 State IN from Fort Wayne’s Wayne High School. She is a strong, powerful, low-post player who can step out to 15-feet and make shots/plays or dominate the block with her physicality. I first noticed her last Summer standing out against 17U competition as just an 8th Grader.
I’ve mentioned Kelsey DuBois Kelsey DuBois 6'2" | PF University | 2023 State IN of University a couple of times previously, and I am still very intrigued by her upside. She has the build of a true post player, but she’s a solid athlete, and she has a lot of skill away from the basket. She’s probably best suited as a mid-post ’5’, but she can also play around the perimeter, knock down the occasional jumper, and put it on the floor some. Another unique, versatile front-liner is Saige Stahl Saige Stahl 6'1" | PF Columbus East | 2023 State IN of Columbus East. Everyone has talked about 6-4 classmate Gabrielle Dean, but Saige was also highly productive as a Varsity Freshman, averaging 7.1 points and 6.7 rebounds this season. She has really good length, she moves around the floor well, has some bounce, and she can knock down a 17-footer consistently. As she gets stronger, look for her to become a real 3-point threat. Like Dean, Saige is also a really nice volleyball player.
Another prospect I wanted to touch on is Mackenzie Thomas Mackenzie Thomas 6'1" | C Carmel | 2023 IN of Carmel. She is a true, back-to-the-basket post, she has some length, a lot of power, and really good hands. Her footwork isn’t bad either, and she attempts to finish with the proper hand, depending on which shoulder she turns to. What I’ve been most impressed with is her willingness to be physical, yet her ability to step out and knock down an occasional ’3’. To have that inside-out skill to her game will make her a tremendous high-post ball-screener, because she can read and react to the defense and score from all areas of the floor. While there are only ten girls listed above, there are many more you’ll be hearing about in the coming seasons, as the Class of 2023 is deep with talent.