Recruiting Roundtable: No.1 Consideration, significant risers, and more

On3 has hit the refresh button on its 2022 clankings. In today’s recruiting roundtable, National Analysts Jamie Shaw and Gerry Hamilton answer who was considered for No. 1, who they pushed for to make significant jumps, and who On3 is higher on than the industry standard and why.

Click Here for On3’s Updated 2022 Rankings

1. Which players did you consider for No. 1 and why?

Jamie Shaw – Kyle Filipowski was really the only choice in my mind. After a string of dominating performances in Nike’s EYBL Bubble, he followed that up in-season with dominant performance after dominant performance. His 22 points and 12 rebound showing against Dereck Lively is probably the headline game, but it does not stand alone. Dariq Whitehead is the only other player I considered, but his streaky shooting (43.6-percent) on the NIBL provided questions.

Gerry Hamilton – There were three for me. Derek Lively was one. He was the prior No. 1, but not the guy this time. His ceiling is extremely high and very likely higher than anyone else’s in the 2022 class. He’s got some similarities to Mo Bamba for me, and that’s not because of the high school he attends. An elite shot-blocker can stretch the court with a perimeter game and athleticism to play at the 24-second shot clock pace. The potential negatives are similar as well.

Another Duke signee that made the three considered was Kyle Filipowski. Filipowski will undoubtedly head to Duke as more an instant impact player than Lively. There is an advanced offensive game with the ability to space the floor. He sees the floor well with the ball in the post or perimeter. Filipowski is comfortable with the ball on the perimeter against pressure and has a mid-range game off one or two bounces. Has the feel and ability to play over either shoulder in the post and the physicality and strength to play through contact under balance. Filipowski will enter the college with a ready-made offensive game to be an impact player.

The third player considered was freaky athlete Dillon Mitchell. He makes a second jump when others have yet to complete a first. Mitchell plays well above the rim on both ends of the floor with a quickly developing offensive feel for the game. His movement without the ball has a purpose, and cuts have gotten crisp. Mitchell can significantly impact the game without the ball in his hands or volume shooting. His ability to guard multiple players and change shots is extremely high-end. Mitchell easily runs the floor and plays a 24-second shot clock pace for long stretches. Mitchell has gone from a two-year player at Texas to a very likely one-an-done.

2. For which player were you most bullish for a significant rise in the rankings?

Jamie – Dillon Mitchell is one of the few players I look at in this class and think, there is a good chance he ends up a pro.’ At 6-foot-8, he is an elite, multi-positional defender, and that is the skill he can hang his hat on as he progresses levels. Mitchell has top of the line explosion, even by NBA standards. He sees the floor, is an excellent off-ball cutter and takes pride in what he does best on the floor. During NIBL play, Mitchell averaged 10 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and shot 67-percent from the field.

Gerry – Gradey Dick is one. Seven spots doesn’t sound significant, but when one is ranked 23, moving up to 16 is significant. Dick has put together one of the best senior campaigns in the country. His feel for creating space to get off quick-release looks is second to none in the class. The Kansas signee is more than a knockdown shooter, he’s also an explosive athlete.

3. Which player, new to the rankings, are you higher on than the industry standard?

Jamie – Riley Kugel is such a smooth offensive presence. At 6-foot-5, he is a three-level scorer with a strong frame and elbow at the rim explosion. He can also act as a secondary ball-handler, re-initiating the offense. There is a smooth nature about the Orlando (FL) Dr. Phillips High guard’s game, a quality that may lead us to have him still a bit too low. 

Gerry – Jalen Hood-Schifino is one for sure. The strong-bodied guard has put together a strong senior campaign. He ran the Montverde Academy team while Skyy Clark was recovering from injury. He’s a true combo guard with the ability to run a team. His improvement on the perimeter is the difference this season. He has displayed the ability to knock down the mid-range jump going right and left and knocking down catch and shoot threes. He’s always been a strong finisher with either hand in and around traffic. On the next level, the ability to handle the ball against quicker and smaller players pressuring the ball will be key. He has shown a minor tendency to turn his back against big-time ball pressure.