High School Elite: 5 Must Know Basketball Prospects from the 2023 Rising Junior Class
Bronny James at Sierra Canyon High School
By: Baigen Seawell
As basketball season comes to a close for high school, it’s fitting to revisit the scouting report as it applies to arguably one of the most exciting recruiting classes of this era: The Class of 2023.
This class features the likes of Bronny James, Mikey Williams and more. The level of skill and talent seen in this particular prospect group makes me excited for the future of basketball at the collegiate level. And while it may be too early to predict where some of these prospects may land, it’s never too early to review their style of play and existing offers to see how they fare for the future.
1. Mikey Williams (Lake Norman Christian, San Diego CA)
Williams is one of the most well known and highly publicized athletes in the class of 2023. A 6’2” combo guard who hails from San Diego, Williams landed in North Carolina where he’s flourishing with Lake Norman Christian. Williams is quick, agile and is known to get above the rim and put on a show with his dunks and crafty layups.
Outside of his vertical, he’s not afraid to shoot around the field. As a combo guard, he’s been seen to take the opportunity in the field when the opportunity presents itself. He has received offers from numerous HBCUs such as Hampton, Howard, and Alabama State, along with offers from Arizona, UCLA and more.
2. DJ Wagner (Camden HS, Camden NJ)
Wagner is one of the unanimous prospects amongst recruiting sites with a number one ranking. A 5-star athlete, the 6’3” recruit, Wagner gave up football to pursue basketball in high school. The point guard is a righty, but is seen to handle the ball comfortably with his left. Wagner is also a quick release shooter around the field.
To add, this is a family affair as DJ’s father is Dajuan Wagner, who was a first round pick for the Cavs in 2002. His grandfather is Milt Wagner, who played for Louisville and at the professional level as well. They all attended Camden, where DJ is currently playing for, and he looks to keep the legacy going. He has eyes on him from Kentucky and Penn State.
3. Bronny James (Sierra Canyon HS, Cleveland OH)
Another NBA legacy, Bronny James is no surprise for anyone when you bring up the Class of 2023. James sits at 6’2” playing at the combo guard position, where his style of play is reminiscent of his father. Despite all of the love everywhere else, he hasn’t been generating a lot of love on the recruiting sites.
As of 2/15, James sits at 25 on the ESPN Top 25 and 19 on 247Sports. This doesn’t deter the attention he’s been receiving from schools like UNC, Duke, UCLA and a slew of other powerhouse programs. He still has a few more years to make a dent in the high school realm, and his signing will arguably be one of the most highly regarded, regardless of the school he chooses.
4. Baye Fall (Lutheran HS, Denver CO)
Fall is one to watch for, as he comes into the recruiting class as a 6’11” center. Fall traveled from Senegal to pursue basketball and has quickly moved up the ranks residing in the number 6 spot (ESPN). He’s been compared to Marcus Camby, but scouts don’t want to pin his style to a player so early in his career.
Fall is not as refined in skill as other prospects on his list, but he’s in good standing for the long run. His size will be a great asset for any team, and he’ll bulk up as he progresses through his basketball career. He’s received offers from Georgia, Georgetown, Minnesota and Kansas and has eyes from plenty of programs across the country.
5. Isaiah Collier (Wheeler HS, Marietta GA)
Collier is a hidden gem in the Class of ‘23. He quietly sits at 15 on the ESPN Top 25 and 15 on 247Sports. He’s a true point guard who’s able to scan the floor and play unselfishly when handling the ball. He shows great chemistry with his teammates as he comes off of a 2020 State Championship his freshman year with Wheeler.
Wheeler is also no stranger to creating NBA prospects, their most recent being Jaylen Brown of the Celtics. While Collier has a few years left to make a decision, he’s racked up offers from Florida, Ole Miss and Texas Tech. As he progresses, I trust that his price will go up and his demand will be highly regarded amongst D1 institutions.
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