NCAA Basketball: 4 biggest takeaways from updated 2023 recruiting rankings
By Ian Mumm
Prospects Making Massive Moves Following Grassroots Season
Monitoring late-risers and their eventual emergence to the top of the class is always an interesting thing to watch. It gives programs hope of a new star to chase or the perfect opportunity to round out their crop of recruits ahead of the coming season. You don’t have to look far to find individuals skyrocketing into the top 50 or 25 prospects in any class, and you’ll likely become very familiar with several during the 2022 season.
The Arkansas duo of Anthony Black and Jordan Walsh jumped from the mid-80s to 16th and 38th respectively, while Yohan Traore (Auburn – 67th to 9th), Cam Whitmore (Villanova – 109th-30th), Dillon Mitchell (Texas – 144th-38th), Kel’el Ware (Oregon – 100th-32nd) and Cason Wallace (Kentucky – 77th-17th) all fit this category before reaching their final rankings.
Following the recent updates, a new group of potential stars has emerged. Tennessee guard commit Freddie Dilione jumped from 69th to 24th and figures to continue the trend of physical playmakers under head coach Rick Barnes. Forward TJ Power remains uncommitted, but his move up from 50th to 22nd will only hasten the pursuit of involved programs like Duke, Iowa, North Carolina, and Virginia. Guards Jamari McDowell and Elijah Gertrude, both uncommitted, moved up 99 spots a piece to 42nd and 36th respectively.
McDowell is down to a final four of Kansas, Texas A&M, Wake Forest, and Xavier, while Gertrude lists a final five of Kansas, Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. John’s, and Virginia. Guards Solomon Ball (UConn) and Devin Royal (Ohio State) also made significant jumps from 84th and 75th to 38th and 46th respectively.