Scouting 2023 McDonald's All American men's basketball recruits
ESPN PLUS $ MATERIALTwenty-four of the top 30 men's college basketball recruits in the 2023 ESPN 100 were named McDonald's All Americans on Tuesday.
Fifteen colleges (so far) were represented among the rosters, with four Kentucky commits leading the way, followed by three future Duke players.
The top 10 prospects in the 2023 class were named All Americans, headlined by No. 1 recruit Justin Edwards.
Twenty years after LeBron James made the McDonald's All American Game as a member of St. Vincent-St. Mary's (Ohio), his son, Bronny James, the No. 28 recruit, will play in the game. The younger James is the highest-ranked uncommitted recruit remaining in the ESPN 100.
How good is this group of recruits? What will each player bring to the table at the next level? We break down each prospect's strengths and how each got to become a McDonald's All American.
Omaha Biliew, PF
Committed to: Iowa State | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 10Waukee High School (Iowa)
Biliew is an elite defensive player who gains an advantage over his opponents thanks to his motor and physicality at that end of the floor. He's a very good rebounder and shot-blocker, but can also switch in ball screens to cause problems for the ball handler. Offensively, he's excellent at running the floor and finishing in traffic and has improved his faceup game and jumper.
Xavier Booker, C
Committed to: Michigan State | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 7Cathedral High School (Indiana)
Booker was unranked a year ago at this time but bloomed over the summer. He is a long-framed big who excels at dunking and blocking. He has incredible open-floor speed and is one of the better shooters in his class for his size (6-foot-10, 210 pounds). Booker is humble and has all the physical tools at 6-11 with a 7-5 wingspan. With his tremendous upside and Tom Izzo's tutelage, his game and archetype will fit at the next level.
Aaron Bradshaw, C
Committed to: Kentucky | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 4Camden High School (New Jersey)
As a 7-foot center, Bradshaw shows the ability to run the floor rim-to-rim, rebound on the offensive glass and finish above the rim. Bradshaw likes to play more of a faceup game and can shoot the ball better than most know about; in fact, he is capable from behind the arc. He can drive the ball from the midrange and the short corner with his hands and mobility. As he continues to add strength, work on his balance and grow into his enormous frame, his future is extremely bright.
Matas Buzelis, SF
G League Ignite | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 9Sunrise Christian Academy (Kansas)
Buzelis is one of the more graceful recruits this cycle. At 6-9, 195 pounds, he can excel with the ball in his hands as a point forward, moving the ball to record assists. When he rebounds on the defensive glass, he can make sound decisions to either throw the ball ahead or handle it himself up the floor. He is best in open space, shooting jumpers or driving the ball. While he needs to add strength and play with better leverage, his advanced skill set, basketball instincts and size make him an intriguing next-level prospect.
Stephon Castle, PG
Committed to: UConn | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 15Newton High School (Georgia)
Castle is a big, strong and physical guard with a 6-9 wingspan who can attack all game long. In transition, he shows the ability to rebound down and push the ball with speed in the open floor. He can make sound decisions, be it accelerating and finishing or finding the open man. In the half court, he gets low and changes direction with impressive vision and a set of creative passes.
Isaiah Collier, PG
Committed to: USC | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 3Wheeler High School (Georgia)
One of the best passers in the 2023 class, Collier is a terrific playmaker who excels when playing out of pick-and-rolls. He reads the game well and has excellent vision when pushing the ball in transition, while also knowing when to find teammates or score himself by getting to the rim off the bounce. The next step for Collier will be gaining more consistency on his jumper.
Mookie Cook, SF
Committed to: Oregon | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 18AZ Compass Prep (Arizona)
Cook committed to Oregon, then decommitted, then recommitted to the Ducks -- and Dana Altman will be happy he's in the fold for next season. He's a versatile defender due to his frame and physical tools, but his multipositional ability also shines through on the offensive end. He can make plays in transition, is a very good passer for his size (6-7, 210) and can score at the rim. Consistency will be the key with Cook.
Justin Edwards, SF
Committed to: Kentucky | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 1Imhotep Institute Charter (Pennsylvania)
No one has improved and produced more since the summer than Edwards. He is versatile and can lead his team to victory in a variety of ways. His open 3-point shot is more than capable, and his midrange is on point. He drives with his left hand, gets downhill with long strides and finishes hard. While he is a proven scorer, he does not need to score to make an impact. On defense, he takes pride in shutting down his opponent and can hit the backboard with regularity. Now the No. 1 recruit overall, he has started to open the eyes of NBA scouts.
Kwame Evans, PF
Committed to: Oregon | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 13Montverde Academy (Florida)
Not many forwards have Evans' skill, fluidness and touch. He's versatile and effective to play at the high post, be it as a shooter or passer, and is good in the mid- and low-post areas, scoring with a reverse pivot. He has a bright future as a hybrid forward who can handle in space or post up. Defensively, he can shrink the floor and become an active defender with his size (6-9, 200) and length.
Baye Fall, C
Committed to: Arkansas | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 19Accelerated Prep (Colorado)
Fall has some of the best physical tools in the class. He's outstanding defensively, excellent at blocking shots and covering ground when guarding pick-and-rolls. He plays with a high motor and is active on the glass. Offensively, he can score around the rim, attacks the offensive glass and has the speed and explosiveness to be an asset in transition.
Jeremy Fears, PG
Committed to: Michigan State | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 20Joliet West (Illinois)
Fears has been considered one of the best point guards in the class for much of his high school career, showing aggressiveness and burst to get to the rim consistently. He's nearly impossible to keep out of the lane and shows good decision-making and vision once he gets there. Though he isn't a volume 3-point shooter, he can still keep defenses honest. Fears is also a capable on-ball defender.
Brandon Garrison, C
Committed to: Oklahoma State | 2023 ESPN 100 ranking: 30Del City High School (Oklahoma)
Garrison brings a little bit of everything to the center position. He can score effectively around the rim but is also a very good passer for his size (6-9, 205) and connects well in a half-court setting. He runs the floor well and plays with a solid motor. Defensively, he can block shots and has consistently put up good rebounding numbers. He also showed well for himself at the FIBA U18 Americas last summer.
