2023 rankings: Underappreciated prospects to see
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It happens every year. Regardless of the class, there are always players whose talents aren’t fully valued by interested observers and college coaches until much later than might be expected. Sometimes that’s due to geography or exposure. Players who suit…
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Continue ReadingIt happens every year. Regardless of the class, there are always players whose talents aren’t fully valued by interested observers and college coaches until much later than might be expected. Sometimes that’s due to geography or exposure. Players who suit up for lesser-known AAU teams or smaller high school programs often don’t have the visibility to attract attention early. For others the issue is a loaded lineup on their high school team that prevents the player from stepping into the limelight before they are upperclassmen. That’s where we come in.
One of our key missions at Prep Girls Hoops is to identify these underappreciated prospects, shine a little light on their game and next-level potential, and encourage recruiters to have a look for themselves. More often than not, the additional exposure chips away at the anonymity and the player’s recruiting prospects improve. With the Class of 2023 prospect rankings having been updated this week, now is a good time to shine a light on some of the most underappreciated players among Minnesota’s incoming juniors. Have a read, take a look and decide for yourselves. We think they’re going to be pretty good.
#26 Emily Christenson Emily Christenson 5'11" | SF East Ridge | 2023 State MN – 5’11 guard, East Ridge (Minnesota Stars Hersch)
Emily is sneaky good. Minnesota Stars Hersch has some very nice, very impactful prospects whose play sometimes overshadows what Christenson does. But what Christenson does is a ton of things that win games for her team. Her high school coach knows just how much the lengthy guard means to her squad. “Emily has evolved into a mature leader on and off the court,” said East Ridge coach Ashley Ellis-Milan. “Her work ethic speaks for itself. She is self-motivated, and brings grit and resilience to the game.”
Christenson averaged nearly 13 points per game for the Raptors this winter. Much of that production came from long distance as Emily is one of the best shooters around. She’s got a quick trigger and a smooth stroke. How good of a shooter is she? “Fantastic!” said Ellis-Milan. Christenson moved up one position in the 2023 rankings to #26. That’s up from #31 last summer and #41 just 18 months ago. “Emily has been under the radar,” said the coach, “but it’s her time and her year to take over and shine.”
#48 Olivia Harazin Olivia Harazin 5'8" | PG LCWM | 2023 State MN – 5’7 guard, Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial (Minnesota Rise Wright)
We have been impressed with Olivia’s game from the beginning of time. Well at least since she was in 7th grade. The highly-skilled, athletic guard from Southern Minnesota is quick, she’s strong, and her ball-handling skills are among the best in the class. Her AAU coach Dustin Wright of the Minnesota Rise is effusive in his praise of Harazin. “She is undervalued as an athlete, and she is a lot quicker and more explosive than people think,” said Wright, who is also the head coach at Triton High School in Dodge Center. “Offensively she is very skilled and is able to score in a variety of ways. She also uses her skill to get her teammates involved.” She can also really shoot the basketball.
Harazin hasn’t received much love yet in the recruiting department. We have had her ranked in the mid-50s since the 2023s were first sorted three years ago. In this most recent update she moved from #52 to #48, which is solid D2 territory. Olivia is primarily a point guard but can also play very well off the ball. “She is also a very good defender,” Wright said. “We usually put her on the other team’s best guard and she always stays in front. She is also super vocal and a great teammate, and she has a hunger to improve.”
#62 Ella Hopkins Ella Hopkins 6'3" | PF Rochester Lourdes | 2023 State MN – 6’3 forward, Rochester Lourdes (Southern Minnesota Fury 2022)
We were first tipped off about Ella approximately three years ago. Since long, tall post players are always in demand we took an early look but she wasn’t ready for prime time at that point. Today, the 6’3 forward from Rochester is a completely different player. “Ella has a ton of skill for being 6’3” and mostly playing on the block her whole career,” said Fury coach Keefe Zelinski. “She handles the ball with confidence in transition and high pressure situations, and she has a high quick release that’s almost impossible to block with range out to 22 or 23 feet.”
Ella made a ton of progress this winter, but what we’ve seen from her during the AAU season is at a whole different level. “Ella really took a step outside her comfort zone this year by playing up with us,” Zelinski explained. “She has gone from a more half-court game with her high school team and our 2023 team to a full-court, run-the-floor, space-the-perimeter, switch-everything-defensively team with our 2022 squad. She has transitioned beautifully.”
Keefe has been working with Ella on building her repertoire of post moves, as well as growing her confidence. It shows. She’s more physical, more aggressive and consequently more effective. “Her length has always helped her alter and block shots and she does that a ton,” Zelinske said, “but the added intensity has helped her hold her ground against tough competition and finish possessions with blocks or rebounds. I truly believe when it is all said and done she will be a D1 kid with a lot of upside for whoever takes a chance on her.”
We have Ella ranked at #62 currently. If her present level of play continues into fall I’m thinking she’ll likely take a giant-sized leap up the charts when we do the next update.
OTHER UNDERAPPRECIATED TALENTS
Here are four more underappreciated talents who are trending in the right direction.
#20 Katelyn Maciej Katelyn Maciej 6'2" | PF Rogers | 2023 State MN – The 6’2 forward from Rogers (Minnesota Stars Hersch) is more mobile, more assertive and therefore more effective this summer. D1 coaches need to pay attention.
#35 Vivica Bretton Vivica Bretton 5'9" | SF Rochester Lourdes | 2023 State MN – The 5’8 guard from Rochester Lourdes (Minnesota Stars Hersch) is one of the summer’s most-improved players which is why she moved up 10 spots to #35.
#39 Hannah Hanson Hannah Hanson 5'9" | CG Rochester Mayo | 2023 State MN – The uber-athletic 5’8 guard from Rochester Mayo (North Tartan Elite) has grown her game significantly in the past year and a half, rising from #68 to #39.
#40 Anna Lenzen Anna Lenzen 5'9" | CG Chaska | 2023 State MN – We have written a lot lately about the 5’9 guard from Chaska (Fury 2023 Premier) and word is getting out. She received her first D2 offer a few days ago.
Top photo: Ella Hopkins Ella Hopkins 6'3" | PF Rochester Lourdes | 2023 State MN of Rochester Lourdes is a prospect on the way up.