7 Players Climbing the 2023 Ranks
The number of ranked 2023 ranked players grew by 28 to total 96. With the number of additions growing the ranked list by approximately 45%, a number of players still were able to advance in the rankings. Here’s a…
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Continue ReadingThe number of ranked 2023 ranked players grew by 28 to total 96. With the number of additions growing the ranked list by approximately 45%, a number of players still were able to advance in the rankings. Here’s a look the top seven advancers listed in order of positions climbed.
McKayla Miller
McKayla
Miller
6'1" | CG
Cimarron | 2023
State
KS
, 6’0″, CG, Cimarron, GameBall Basketball 16U — Accelerating up the rankings 22 spots, Miller can play four positions on both ends. The Hi-Plains League first teamer was recently selected as a USJN Battle at the Border pool K 16U all star. Moving up to #8, she has the strong ability to go end-to-end off steals or rebounds, shoot quickly off kick-out passes, and change hands on the last step of a drive. Miller picked up an offers from Emporia State and Newman over the summer.
Sophia Gimino
Sophia
Gimino
5'4" | PG
Kapaun Mt. Carmel | 2023
State
KS
, 5’4″, PG, Kapaun Mt. Carmel, Wheat State Elite Paul & Wood— The Wichita City League honorable mention vaults 21 spots to #41. Fast with the ball, she creates off the bounce; finishes athletically; and gets air under the ball on her perimeter shots. A player who sees the floor well, club coach Dwayne Paul communicated that “She sets the tone for our team on both ends of the floor. She does a great job seeing the floor and playing with great pace.”
Amaya Gallegos
Amaya
Gallegos
5'8" | PG
Garden City | 2023
State
KS
, 5’7″, PG, Garden City, GameBall Basketball 16U — Selected to the Western Activities Conference second team, Gallegos moves up seven spots to #11. She averaged 9.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals a year ago. Gallegos is among the quickest players around on both ends of the floor and can flat out score. Creative in beating defenders off the bounce, she can finish athletically on both sides of the basket with contact. In one instance, at the June MAYB Summer Kickoff see drove strongly off a spin, then whirled for a layup with contact. A good free throw shooter, she also has perimeter jump shooting ability. Would like to see more consistency in her perimeter shooting.
Ava Jones Ava Jones 6'2" | PF Nickerson | 2023 State KS , 6’2″, PF, Nickerson, Wheat State Elite Paul — Taking over the #3 spot in the ranks after advancing five spots, Jones is garnering a substantial amount of NCAA D I attention. Jones has one of the most complete games not just in the class but in state. The KBCA class 4A first team and Central Kansas League first team selection makes good use of her length around the basket as a scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker. While she can put good up-and-under move on a defender and hit the transition jumper mid-lane off the catch, what makes it all happen is her athleticism, speed, and hustle.
Brooklyn Deleye Brooklyn Deleye 6'2" | PF Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS , 6’1″, F, Washburn Rural, Missouri Phenom — Moving up two spots to #12, Deleye earned selection to the Centennial League second team a year ago. Included in 580preps’ January Tournament Preview as a breakout player, they state “DeLeye has provided the post production that the Lady Blues have needed. Only a freshman, she clearly has the skill set and athleticism to be a standout, both now and into the future.”
Sydney Watts Sydney Watts 5'9" | SG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State KS , 5’9″, SG, St. Thomas Aquinas, Next Level Eclipse 16U Red — Another two spot advancer, to #13, is Watts. A recent USJN Battle at the Border pool H 16U all star, Watts was a Eastern Kansas League third team selection a year ago. A speedy lefty with a good motor, she is a threat from the perimeter and has ability to get to the basket. Watts made the USA 14 Soccer national team.
Carli Carlson
Carli
Carlson
5'8" | SG
Clearwater | 2023
State
KS
, 5’8″, G/W, Clearwater, SSA Elite — The third player to advance two spots, to #14, Carlson is a very athletic three point shooter with range. She has the ability to shoot quickly, beat people off the bounce, transition with speed, and has good hands. The Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div IV first teamer averaged 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 2.2 assists a year ago. At MAYB’s Reign the Plains in July she used a terrific head fake in transition at the elbow to sell a pass, only to slip down the lane to finish. While Carlson can get a bit careless with the ball, she moves well to get open, elevates well, and jumps to the ball when rebounding.