On3 outliers: 2023 basketball recruits On3 ranks higher than industry

It was a busy summer and start to fall for the On3 team, traveling most weeks to events across the country. With these updated viewings, there were some changes in the recent 2023 On3 150.

The most recent 2023 On3 150 ranking came out yesterday after Peach Jam, USA Basketball, Wootten Top 150, Border League, and many other live viewings since our last update.

With the dust settled on yesterday’s release, let’s go through some of the top prospects that On3 has ranked significantly higher relative to other rankings sets across the industry.

Updated 2023 On3 150

On3s Industry Comparison Rankings

SG Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor)

On3 150 ranking: No. 10
Next highest ranking: No. 17 (Rivals/ESPN)
Industry Comparison

Ja’Kobe Walter averaged 21.3 points with Team Trae Young on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit this summer. The 6-foot-6 guard has some creation skills, but he also is a shotmaker. Players who can find space and knock down opportunities are valuable in today’s game. Time and time again, in every setting available, the Branson (MO) Link Academy wing has proven his value as a bucket-getter.

SF Stephon Castle (UConn)

On3 150 ranking: No. 11
Next highest ranking: No. 23 (247Sports/ESPN)
Industry comparison

Stephon Castle’s competitive spirit may be his stand-out trait. He is a 6-foot-5 guard who simply keeps coming at you through the course of the game. Whether he’s guarding the opposing team’s best player or gathering the necessary rebound, Castle seems to be making plays. He showed with the Atlanta XPress on the UAA Next Circuit he was comfortable playing on or off the ball. He touches the paint, and he can finish plays. Castle is continuing to improve his shooting, but from circuit play to USA minicamp, to NBPA Top 100 camp, Castle has consistently been a standout among his peers.

C Isaiah Miranda

On3 150 ranking: No. 16
Next highest ranking: No. 28 (Rivals)
Industry comparison

It’s the tools that really pop for Isaiah Miranda. At 7-foot-1, there simply are not many who move the way he does. It makes sense because Miranda is a late bloomer who has experienced a ten or so inch growth spurt in high school. Miranda has touch on his jumper as well as vertical explosion and lateral mobility. He is still raw and learning how to play as a 7-foot-1 force, but quite simply, it is too hard to ignore his physical tools.

C JP Estrella (Tennessee)

On3 150 ranking: No. 21
Next highest ranking: No. 38 (Rivals)
Industry comparison

This Summer, JP Estrella went from unranked to top-25. He is a 6-foot-11 center who moves really well, both laterally and vertically, for a player his size. Estrella is another late-bloomer who grew from a guard’s size early in high school to what he is now, and he kept some of his guard skills and movements. Estrella is a tough, two-handed rebounder. He can stretch the floor with catch and shoot threes, and he is a natural rim protector with both hands.

PG Chris Johnson (Kansas)

On3 150 ranking: No. 24
Next highest ranking: No. 32 (ESPN)
Industry comparison

Chris Johnson won a UAA Next Circuit championship this Summer. He then transferred to Montverde (FL) Academy and all but dominated the Border League en route to a championship there. Johnson is a big guard at 6-4. He plays aggressively downhill, and he uses his toughness, at the point of attack, on both sides of the ball. Johnson averaged 19.7 points and 3.7 assists on 58.3 percent shooting from the field during Border League play.

F Devin Royal (Ohio State)

On3 150 ranking: No. 26
Next highest ranking: No. 46 (247Sports)
Industry comparison

Devin Royal’s feel for basketball is what we have fallen in love with. At 6-foot-6, Royal is a tweener forward by modern standards. However, his ability to score from each level on the floor travels with him no matter the setting. Playing with the All Ohio program this summer on the Nike EYBL Circuit, he averaged 17.2 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 49.6 percent from the field. Royal is a late-bloomer, someone whose body changed later in his high school career. Royal won a state championship at Pickerington (OH) Central, where he averaged 19.6 points.

Others

C Zayden High (UNC)

On3 150 ranking: No. 28
Next highest ranking: No. 46 (Rivals)
Industry comparison

SF Coen Carr (Michigan State)

On3 150 ranking: No. 29
Next highest ranking: No. 45 (247Sports)
Industry comparison

C Papa Kante (Michigan)

On3 150 ranking: No. 36
Next highest ranking: No. 91 (247Sports)
Industry comparison

C Jordan Butler (Missouri)

On3 150 ranking: No. 44
Next highest ranking: No. 102 (Rivals)
Industry comparison

C Carey Booth (Penn State)

On3 15 ranking: No. 50
Next highest ranking: No. 75 (ESPN)
Industry comparison