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2023 Basketball Rankings: A 'Big 7' and new No. 1 sits atop the class in final update – 247Sports
With all the major post-season All-Star events now behind us, it’s time today to put the high school basketball class of 2023 in the books.
Top 150 final rankings for class of 2023
This is a group that will be remembered for its parity more than anything else. DJ Wagner debuted in the No. 1 overall spot as an underclassman and held it until GG Jackson took over just prior to his reclassification. Isaiah Collier took over the top spot following the summer and held it throughout his senior season.
When it was all said and done, there were 7 different players who could make their case as the best player in the 2023 class.
Position: PF
High School: Duncanville (TX)
H/W: 6-8, 195
Previous Ranking: 6
In a class that lacked an obvious No. 1 player or any extraordinarily high-ceiling prospect, we opted to crown the player with the highest floor the top player in the 2023 class.
Ron Holland is one of the most competitive and versatile players in the class. He has an elite motor, thrives on both ends of the floor and can defend multiple positions. While his offensive game remains a work-in-progress, he’s made steady strides in recent months and has the touch to continue evolving as a shooter and scorer. He’s prepared to make an immediate impact on winning at the college level (albeit not necessarily as a primary scorer) and is trending towards the type of big, versatile wing and multi-positional defender that is so coveted at the highest levels of the game today.
This ranking might break the hearts of Texas Longhorns fans, who last week lost Holland to a decommitment. Here’s 247Sports’ Brandon Jenkins with the latest VIP intel on Holland’s recruitment.
Position: PG
High School: Wheeler (GA)
H/W: 6-3, 190
Previous Ranking: 1
When we made Isaiah Collier the No. 1-ranked prospect in the country coming out of the summer, it was initially viewed as somewhat contrarian. Since then, other outlets have followed suit as everything we claimed has proven to be accurate.
He’s a true point with good size and a powerful college-ready body. He’s also the best passer in the class and his ability to create shots for his teammates is something that could translate throughout the rest of his career. We expect him to put up big numbers right away next year at USC and be one of college basketball’s best freshmen. NBA scouts will want to see the progression of his shooting, but he is already on the pro radar.
Position: SF
High School: Imhotep (PA)
H/W: 6-7, 180
Previous Ranking: 3
Justin Edwards is another versatile big wing who has a very high floor.
The southpaw has positional size, is a versatile scorer and is an engaged defender. His motor has proven to be very steady over the years. But what’s been impressive most recently has been the progression of his overall feel for the game and passing ability. His individual offense is most consistent in transition or with his pull-up game, but he’s another player who will be ready to see significant minutes from day one as a college freshman. Edwards might not be a high-volume scorer for Kentucky given his unselfishness. But, overall, there are few prospects who have Edwards’ long-term potential to be successful.
Position: SF
High School: Perry (AZ)
H/W: 6-8, 180
Previous Ranking: 8
Although he’s currently not as far along as some of the other 5-star prospects in the class, Cody Williams may very well have the highest long-term upside.
The younger brother of Oklahoma City rookie Jalen Williams, Cody is a similar late-bloomer. He’s sprouting into a long and athletic big wing who is an ultra-fluid mover. The flashes of his massive natural talent have been popping up more consistently within the last year. And while he needs to get stronger, more consistent with his jumper and keep developing across the board, he could end up being the best player to come out of this class if things keep trending in the right direction for him.
Position: C
High School: Camden (NJ)
H/W: 7-0, 210
Previous Ranking: 2
Aaron Bradshaw is the most naturally talented big man in this class.
The seven-footer is mobile and quick off his feet athletically. He can protect the rim and finish high above it. He also has a soft touch with the ability to stretch the floor. He needs to keep building up his body and learning to play through contact, but there isn’t much that could be required of a big man that he isn’t physically capable of providing. Ultimately, it’s about consistency and reliability. If Bradshaw develops those at Kentucky, then he’ll also have one of the highest long-term ceilings in the class.
Position: CG
High School: Camden (NJ)
H/W: 6-3, 165
Previous Ranking: 4
There isn’t a player in the class who has had a more decorated or successful high school career than DJ Wagner.
Because of his family lineage, he was a high-profile prospect when he first debuted as a freshman. He not only lived up to that early hype, but he also went on to build a firm resume of his own. He’s known as a volume scorer who plays in constant attack mode. He’s also one of the best competitors in the class. We expect Wagner to be one of the best college freshmen in the country next year and ultimately carve out a long career for himself.
Position: SF
High School: Sunrise Christian (KS)
H/W: 6-9, 190
Previous Ranking: 5
Matas Buzelis is one of the most polarizing prospects in the class.
He owns a combination of wing size and playmaking ability that is completely unmatched. And when he’s at his best, he shows a blend of both current productivity and unparalleled long-term potential. Yet, the key is making sure that his individual talents extends to the defensive end of the floor and impacts winning on a consistent basis. If Buzelis can connect those dots next year with G League Ignite, he could end up being one of the more intriguing NBA prospects in the class.
THE BRONNY JAMES DISCUSSION
Bronny James might not have been one of the seven candidates for the No. 1 ranking, or even one of the 15 5-star prospects in the class, but he was undeniably the most well-known high school basketball player in the class of 2023. Bronny lands at No. 26 overall in our final rankings of the class, up from No. 36. He is still undecided as to whether he will play college basketball this season (or where, though it looks like USC if that’s the choice) or go to the G League.
The eldest child and namesake of LeBron James, Bronny was under a microscope before he even played his first high school game. When LeBron went on the record as saying the final year of his playing career would be tied to where his son was, that attention only magnified.
What has been truly impressive me, though, is the poise and maturity with which Bronny has dealt with that attention — both on and off the floor.
In terms of his own game, Bronny may not be as dynamic as some might expect given his father’s stardom. But he’s a well-rounded, two-way player who “knows how to play” as coaches would say. He’s strong, athletic in the open floor, unselfish and a very good passer. The best part of his individual offense is his ability to knock down open threes (although, he can also get loose for some big plays in transition). He’s also a competitive and engaged defender.
All of that adds up to a player who is well-suited to come in and help a college team win from day one next year.
What it doesn’t necessarily add up to is a one-and-done lottery pick. And yet, that is what multiple outlets are now projecting?
Why?
There are a variety of different reasons. But his ability to generate clicks is an undeniable factor. Also, the influence his father and Klutch Sports (the powerhouse agency run by Lebron’s agent Rich Paul) could have on the process — especially if Lebron makes good on his early promise to play alongside his son — can’t be understated.
While Bronny won’t be draft-eligible until June of 2024, there is another decision on the more immediate horizon as we still don’t know his plans for next year. Speculation has been growing that USC is the favorite if he decides to play college basketball. However, the G League presents an immediate professional pathway as well.
Our analysts dove into a Bronny James Roundtable here.
THERE ARE ONLY 15 5-STARS
The national class of 2023 features only 15 5-star prospects, which is notably less than most years. In fact, every class has had no less than 24 5-star prospects since 2018. To be candid, this lack of 5-star prospects is an accurate reflection of the way the class is viewed as a whole.
To be clear, this isn’t to say that new prospects won’t emerge from this group in the coming years. To the contrary, high school is really just the first lap of what is hopefully a long career race for many players in this group. But, at this stage, the reality is that the class has far less star power than any class we’ve seen in recent memory.
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