On3 talks Kyle Filipowski, Dillon Mitchell, Gregory Jackson and more

By Jamie Shaw and Gerry Hamilton 

On3 is ready and prepared to take on some rankings questions with the high school hoops season past the mid-way point. 

Duke 5-star center signee Kyle Filipowski is poised to ascend in the rankings. The same can be said for Texas 4-star uber athletic signee Dillon Mitchell. Then there are the top sleepers in the class, and a look ahead to the possible No. 1 in the 2023 cycle. 

There is no better way to welcome National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Jamie Shaw to the On3 team that jump right into a question and answer. 

Which 2022 prospect has impressed you the most this season? 

Jamie Shaw: This summer, we could not see the full spectrum of what Kyle Filipowski could do. He started the first week of Peach Jam with dominating performances. He missed the second week due to COVID safety protocols. The 6-foot-11 forward from Wilbraham (Mass.) Wilbraham and Monson is an excellent passer and unique secondary ball handler. He plays the game with a passion and a ferocity that few of his peers can match. The Duke signee will be getting my vote for the No. 1 spot once we begin those conversations.

Gerry Hamilton: On3 Consensus 4-star Dillon Mitchell has displayed just how high his ceiling is at Montverde Academy this season. He’s always been one of the very best run and jump, and most explosive prospects in the class. This season, he’s even more active on both ends of the floor. He’s flashing the ability to play at a higher level without the ball on the offensive end. He’s improved the fluidity of his his jump shot, but it’s sneaky on a loaded team. His second jump is quicker than most players first jump, making for a second chance opportunity scorer in spades. The ability to guard multiple positions, and affect the game on both ends of the floor has the Texas signee on the rise. 

Which 2022 prospect is primed to ascend in the rankings?

Shaw: There has always been something about Dillon Mitchell that was appealing to me. Playing with Nike’s Each 1 Teach 1 this summer, he showed he belonged in the conversation. The 6-foot-8 Texas signee is a multi-positional defender with long arms, quick-twitch athleticism, and explosive pop. This season at Montverde (Fla.) Academy Mitchell has taken things a step further to show he belongs toward the top of the conversation. Mitchell has excellent floor awareness and is developing into a purposeful off-ball cutter. They have different body types, but this season we see the success of this archetype of a player with Kendall Brown. While there will be whispers about his jump shot and overall ball-handling, his relentless production speaks volumes at the end of the day.

Hamilton: This one is a little out of left field. TCU signee and On3 No. 100 PJ Haggerty is having a tremendous senior season. Closing in on 6-foot-4, Haggerty has the size needed off the ball. He has been more of an attacking player off the dribble in the past, and seen by many as a volume shooter/scorer. But make no mistake, Haggerty can flat out shoot the ball out to NBA range. In fact, he will be more of a perimeter threat in high-major basketball than slasher. Especially early on in his transition to college basketball. Haggerty can shoot the three off the dribble, off the catch and has a feel for creating space and getting clean looks off screens. Jamie Dixon signed a potential steal out of the Southeast Houston area. 

Which prospect is your sleeper in the 2022 class?

Shaw: Mike Sharavjamts created a stir when he committed to Dayton, with not many people having heard of him. The 6-foot-7 native of Mongolia is a true wing who can pass, shoot, and handle. Willoughby (Ohio) ISA Academy attacks with Sharavjamts from multiple spots on the floor. He is very good as the initiator out of the pick and roll. He has a nice pull-up jump shot and good straight-line explosion. The strength and weight is the central question mark with him, but Sharavjamts will firmly be in the rankings conversation next go around.

Hamilton: Powerful power forward Keba Keita. The 6-foot-8, 225-pounder has put together an impressive senior campaign with improved IQ and skill. He passes the eye test with a strong frame, long arms, quick first jump for his size, body control and physicality. Keita has impressed this season with his ability to run the floor, be a more active screener and player on offense away from the ball and finishing over the left shoulder. Washington offer the week before Christmas, and many more high-majors are now showing serious interest. Keita should develop into a quality big at the high-major level. 

Looking ahead to the 2023 cycle. Which prospect have you been most impressed with this season? 

Shaw: It is G.G. Jackson for me. The 6-foot-9 forward out of Columbia (S.C.) Ridge View High has been on a tear all season. Heading into the summer, I had Jackson ear-marked as a player to watch, as he had the potential to play his way into the conversation for No. 1. Jackson’s ball skills and footwork enable him to get to his spots in the half-court. He has a lot of pop in his lengthy frame and plays with a mean streak. Jackson has done nothing but solidify his place in the conversation for the top spot in the class.

Hamilton: I’m with Jamie Shaw on G.G. Jackson. The 6-foot-9 combo forward fits the modern game perfectly. His comfort with the ball on the perimeter, and ability to shoot the three off the bounce is high-end at his size. He’s proven he can play on the perimeter off the catch, or dribble this season. The feel for creating space off the bounce to smoothly get into a three has improved. Add in the toughness, quick feet and ability to run the floor and finish, and Jackson is going to be in the conversation for No. 1 overall.