2023 Rankings Update: Top Bigs
We wrap up the positional look at our newly updated 2023 rankings by examining the top bigs. All of the players on this list have been blessed with great physicality which allows them to battle, and oftentimes win, against older,…
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Continue ReadingWe wrap up the positional look at our newly updated 2023 rankings by examining the top bigs. All of the players on this list have been blessed with great physicality which allows them to battle, and oftentimes win, against older, more experienced players. Thanks to this, all of these players can develop into truly elite prospects so long as they continue to develop their skills to match their physical gifts.
Xaviara Smalley Xaviara Smalley 6'3" | C Bethlehem | 2023 State KY , Bethlehem- While she did not play all that much last season thanks to a transfer, Smalley was dominant in limited games. She is an elite offensive rebounder, perhaps the best in the state, and gets a huge percentage of her points off of offensive put-backs. If she can add a more refined offensive game to her dominant size and athleticism, Smalley could end up being impossible to stop.
Brianna Bryars, George Rogers Clark- The most productive player on this list, Bryars has already shown that she has a well-rounded post game. She has developed a variety of nice moves and crashes the boards as hard as any big in the state, making her a top player even this early in her career. Considering how well-developed she already is, it is scary to think how good Bryars can be over the years to come.
Jala Douglass Jala Douglass 6'0" | PF Central | 2023 State KY , Central- As with young interior players, Douglass has thus far contributed more on the defensive end of the court. She has shown the ability to be a top-notch rim protector, as well as making some plays with her nice hands. She still has some work to do developing a well-rounded offensive game, but she has the size and ability to do so, which would send her rocketing up these rankings.
Amy Thompson Amy Thompson 6'1" | SF Whitefield Academy | 2023 State KY , Mercy- There is a unique situation at Mercy, as one of the state’s premier programs will have a major competition between two sophomores for minutes on the inside. Thompson made her mark last season primarily as a defender and rebounder, where she did a good job with her opportunities. She will need to expand on this and add more offense to her game if she wants to emerge as the clear cut starter.
Emma Barnett Emma Barnett 6'2" | PF Mercy | 2023 State KY , Mercy- The other half of Mercy’s twin towers, much of what I said above about Thompson is true for Barnett as well. Barnett has shown some ability to play on the perimeter as well as inside, which may give her the edge over Thompson, or allow them to play together. Regardless, whichever player emerges as the star for Mercy will have plenty of chances to shine over the next few years.