Aaron Bradshaw is the new No. 1 in 2023 On3 150

On3 updated the 2023 On3 150 on Monday, and Kentucky commitment Aaron Bradshaw is the new No. 1 in the class.

Bradshaw is a 7-foot-1 center from Camden (N.J.) High. He takes over the No. 1 spot vacated by his high school and travel ball teammate, DJ Wagner.

Bradshaw committed to Kentucky on October 14, the night before he was in Lexington, Kentucky, for Big Blue Madness. He chose Kentucky over a final group that also included Southern California, Texas, Louisville, and the G-League Ignite.

Let’s explore why the upside of Aaron Bradshaw made him the new No. 1 in the 2023 On3 150.

Bradshaw’s size and skill

Aaron Bradshaw stands 7-foot-1 with a reported 7-foot-4 wing span. He has broad shoulders and a projectable frame that should take well, despite his thin lower body, to a college strength and conditioning program.

Over the past 12 months, Bradshaw’s ability to score the basketball has developed. At this point last year, Bradshaw was a rim runner. A guy who played in the dunker spots and in straight lines to the front of the rim. Over the past year, his offensive game has developed.

Synergy says that Bradshaw only attempted two three-pointers during the Nike EYBL Circuit this year. Three-point shooting is a part of his game. He has range, off the catch, that extends beyond the arc. Bradshaw has good balance off the catch, and his release is true with a consistent shot pocket. Bradshaw shot 75.5 percent from the free-throw line during the summer circuit.

Playing this summer with DJ Wagner, who took 50-plus more shots than anyone else on his team, Bradshaw shot 57.9 percent from the field. He knows his game and knows his spots.

A fluid athlete at 7-1 with length and explosive athleticism who has touch when facing the basket is intriguing.

Rim protection

At the highest levels of basketball, if you are not able to protect the rim, then you are tough to put on the floor. Bradshaw averaged 2.2 blocks per game on the Nike EYBL Circuit, where 61 of the 2023 On3 Consensus top 100 prospects played this summer.

We mentioned Bradshaw’s 7-foot-4 wing span earlier, but he also has good pop for a who measures 7-foot-1. Bradshaw has timing from the weak side, and he moves his feet well, getting into position to affect the shot. He is not an out-of-control shot blocker either; he rarely takes himself out of the play, even when attempting to swat a would-be shot attempt.

Bradshaw is a good lateral athlete; he is able to show and drop when screened. This is a part of his game that should continue to improve as his body gets stronger and his hips loosen up in college.

Bradshaw in the NBA

As a rule of thumb, when evaluating and scouting bigs, you never want to write them off. Bigs typically take their own time in progressing toward their ceilings. While basketball could be considered a perimeter-based game, the bigs who find success are very unique.

For starters, having the size and length necessary puts centers in the one percent. A look toward the archetype of NBA fives, and you see guys who can protect the rim, move their feet, and shoot with range. It is a very unique type of player, which is where the value lies.

Aaron Bradshaw carries the necessary size and length to play the position. He has a projectable frame with projectable athleticism, both laterally and vertically, to find success. And he can shoot the ball out to three.

There is still a ways to go in the development of Bradshaw; however, his current productions and physical traits make him hard to ignore at the top of the 2023 class.