2023 Ranked Players Who Could Make Names This Fall - Prep Hoops (2024)

Not many guys play a big varsity role as a freshman. A few, like Eli Sawyers Eli Sawyers 6'7" | SF Southeast Of Saline | 2023 State KS and Tyler Little Tyler Little 6'5" | PF Galena | 2023 State KS benefited from the size of their schools to step immediately into starring roles. Though at bigger schools, Will Anciaux Will Anciaux 6'6" | PF Kapaun Mt Carmel | 2023 State KS , Caleb Wiese Caleb Wiese 6'4" | SF Garden City | 2023 State KS and Jason Rodriguez Jason Rodriguez 5'10" | PG Bishop Miege | 2023 State KS made big impacts right off the bat.

But there are plenty more sophom*ores who are ready to make names for themselves in 2023. Here are some of the players from the first edition of the Kansas 2023 Player Rankings to watch for this winter:

10 Aidan Wing Aidan Wing 6'4" | SF Bishop Miege | 2023 State KS , Miege:

Wing displayed a rare athleticism at the Kansas 250 Expo. The roster was pretty crowded at Miege, and Wing will need to find a niche to get minutes as a sophom*ore. But his length, leaping ability and agility should allow him to fill a few different roles. He will need to be versatile to be a complement to returning stars Mark Mitchell Mark Mitchell 6'7" | SF Sunrise | 2022 State #8 Nation KS and Christian Bowen-Webb Christian Bowen-Webb 6'2" | CG Bishop Miege | 2022 State KS . The 6-foot-4 Wing passes well, can handle the ball all over the court, and defend a variety of positions. But his high flying and scoring ability are what catches your attention.

12 Jack Wilson Jack Wilson 6'6" | C Manhattan | 2023 State KS , Manhattan High:

There was just too many veterans around last year for Wilson to crack the varsity show. But he is a very talented and versatile big man who should step into a big role as a sophom*ore. His solid 6-foot-6 frame should play well in the Centennial League, but this guy can do so much offensively. He’s dangerous from deep, can finish with either hand, and has a nice mid-range skill set. He can rebound, run the court, and has good ball skills to help run the offense.

13 Cameron Carr, Manhattan:

Like Wilson, Carr waited out a great group of seniors to graduate from Manhattan. Carr isn’t big…yet. He may continue to grow and fill out. But he already has a smooth, versatile game and can make those around him better. He can handle the ball, find open shooters and play with poise and awareness. He can shoot, get into the lane and score in a variety of ways.

24 BJ Redic BJ Redic 6'2" | SF Andover | 2023 State KS , Andover (pictured):

Redic is a tenacious competitor who really impressed this summer, suiting up with some elite national prospects with Oz Elite 2023. At 6-foot-2, he has physicality that is beyond his years. He has offensive skills to go with his elite physical tools. And at the defensive end, he can really take one opponent out of the game, or play a ball-hawking, disruptive role all over the floor.

25 Will Mlynek Will Mlynek 6'9" | C Free State | 2023 State KS , Shawnee Mission South:

Mlynek is just too tall and too physically gifted to not play a role on the varsity. At 6-foot-9, he has the height to dominate, and he can move well enough to be more than just tall. He went toe-to-toe with some elite big men at the Kansas Top 250 Expo and acquitted himself nicely. He has good post skills and is developing even more versatility. Mlynek will continue to grow into his enviable physical tools.

39 Sincere Austin Sincere Austin 5'10" | PG Topeka West | 2023 State KS , Topeka West:

Topeka West boasts two elite guards in Tre Alexander Tre Alexander 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2021 State KS and Elijah Brooks Elijah Brooks 6'3" | CG Topeka West | 2022 State KS . But even with two supremely skilled guards on the floor, they almost always had a point guard on the floor with them. Bryson Bitler has moved on, meaning there might be a role for Austin with the varsity this winter. His coaches at Team KC believe he’s ready to show at high school what he’s already demonstrated on the club scene. A lot will depend on how his coaches chose to blend the immense talents of Alexander and Brooks.