2023 Stock Risers Updated
I get tickled pink, well I wear a lot of pink and become tickled at comments on social media but everyone looks at things differently and over the years, my views on the “growing of the game” as well as…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI get tickled pink, well I wear a lot of pink and become tickled at comments on social media but everyone looks at things differently and over the years, my views on the “growing of the game” as well as “evaluating talent” has been second to none so what do I look for, well it’s simple, next talent that shows up against next-level talent, no fancy algorithm to confuse anyone, I try and keep things simple and quite a few players elevated their status and here we go
Kylie Marshall Kylie Marshall 5'9" | CG Mansfield Lake Ridge | 2023 State TX -5’9 SF (Lakeridge HS) Team Lex Nation
Marshall moved into the Top 10 at #9 from #26 basically by just showing me she could take over a game with the blink of an eye, yes I knew she was long and athletic and could attack the rim strongly and finish after the lick and yes, I knew she played the passing lane quite well which combined with her sped gave her layups but her pull-up jumper from midrange was clicking in every event as well as her ability to see the floor making her more of a threat as she hit teammates off the dribble as she attacked
Tristen Taylor Tristen Taylor 5'4" | PG Duncanville | 2023 State TX -5’4 PG (Duncanville HS) Team Lex Nation
Taylor jumped from #20 to #12 primarily because of what she did against who she did and I keep saying “it’s not what you do, it’s who you do it against” yet for some reason, that simple statement goes over the heads of many yet she did what the really good point guards do, make those around her better and her ability to push it when needed as well as slowing it down was a work of art but she also scored, off the dribble or the jumper and just handed whatever pressure was thrown at her
Alexis Cortez Alexis Cortez 5'10" | SF Allen | 2023 State TX -5’8 SF (Allen HS) Lady Drive Nation 16U National
Cortez sold me a while back, in fact, this first time I saw her and one more time, I was right in what I saw coming as she moved up 8 from #21 to #13 as I watched her watch the court like an All-Pro cornerback and intercept passes and many times go coast to coast for layups, that’s playing the passing lane but she’s long and athletic, she rebounds, defends, blocks shot and takes defenders with ease plus she has pull-up jumper
Riley McCloskey Riley McCloskey 5'3" | PG Memorial | 2023 State TX -5’3 PG (Memorial HS) Just Play Elite
McCloskey is a small PG that I see many of you are wondering how she moved up from #35 to #29 yet I’m wondering who are you to question me because I know what I’m looking at and watching her throw bullets by defenders, handling the ball under pressure, seeing the floor, controlling the tea,m and hitting the outside shots is what got her in the first place and to the novice, what moved her up is she’s throwing those same bullets with either hand and scoring off the dribble with either has as well now, I drop the mic
Aniyah Sanford Aniyah Sanford 5'5" | PG Langham Creek | 2023 State TX -5’5 PG (Langham Creek HS) Houston UTD
Sanford made a jump from #42 to #34, always remember I’m looking for progression and seeing her numerous times be it in various tournaments or Individual Showcases I’m COVERING, she has just taken her game to another level as she’s heady, controls the tempo fast or slow but her “poise under pressure” just grabs at me because the point guard at the next level has to be able to not succumb to pressure so by becoming more vocal as well as raising her defense, she ain’t done
Kierra Merchant Kierra Merchant 5'10" | CG Westfield | 2023 State TX -5’10 G (Spring HS) Cy Fair Premier
Merchant impressed me the first time I saw her years ago, she was long and athletic scoring layups galore after steals, aka playing the passing lane, but that base I refer to so much means a variety of things can be added which is why she moves from #49 to #43 and being thrown out to WOLVES in the top brackets, she passed the test like she passed the ball, on the money and she showed she wasn’t afraid to accept the challenge as that mid to long-range gave a glimpse on what’s coming
Abbie Boutilier Abbie Boutilier 6'9" | PF Flower Mound | 2023 State TX -6’9 P (Flower Mound HS) Pro Skills
Boutlier is 6’9 so she moved up from #53 to #44 because college coaches could see what she could do if the ball was passed to her. It’s simple mathematics, guards are everywhere, 81 inches ain’t and that’s the DRAW so with that being said, let me keep writing as she became revitalized to get some touches in the paint, she did a good job finishing, is moving up and down the floor but her outlet passes are better, so is her timing to change or block shots but peep this, with her mindset, she is nowhere near where she will be on this list as she progresses