Rivals Rankings Week: Roundtable on rankings topics

This week, Rivals refreshed its 2023 rankings and released an initial list for 2025. The lists are out and the decisions have been made, so today seems like a good time for a bit of reflection.

Below, national analyst Rob Cassidy and Travis Graf discuss a handful of topics related to the rankings week that was and the decisions they made therein.

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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK

Monday: Top 10 Countdown

Tuesday: 2023 Rivals150 released

Wednesday: 2023 position rankings released

Thursday: Initial 2025 ranking released

Friday: Rivals Roundtable

Saturday: Rankings Podcast

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“I was the driving force behind Justin McBride’s big jump and am really encouraged by the four-star forward’s trajectory. He’s leaner, quicker and more confident than he’s ever been, and he seems to be adding a new wrinkle to his game with each passing month. I think some college is going to get a massively impactful four-year player in the versatile 6-foot-7 forward, who seems to have rededicated himself to basketball in the past year. He can help a team in a number of different ways.” - Cassidy

“I wanted to give Joseph “JoJo” Tugler a nice bump in this rankings cycle. Tugler’s motor and consistent defensive production grant him a very solid floor at the college level. His strength, length (7-foot-5 wingspan), and quick hands allow for him to be a plug-and-play guy immediately in terms of defense. Tugler has a very good understanding of different coverages and has the speed and length to make up for it if an offensive player gets a step on him. If he continues to grow his offensive game, he could have a long career in basketball as a Swiss Army Knife big man that excels on the defensive end. His ability to impact the game without the ball in his hands can’t be understated.” - Graf

“I’m still torn on what to do at the top of the 2023 class. We went with Xavier Booker based on upside, but I’m not confident he’ll still be sitting in the top spot when we finalize rankings early next year. Booker has the best NBA upside, but he’ll need to become more consistent as a senior and prove he can dominate top-flight competition come all-star season. The race for the No. 1 billing is likely to run through the McDonald’s game this year as Justin Edwards, Mackenzie Mgbako, Isaiah Collier and DJ Wagner are all legitimate threats to unseat Booker.” - Cassidy

“I’ll echo what Rob said above. Ranking the top player in the 2023 class was extremely hard, and I had brought Edwards and Collier to the table as other key possibilities for that top spot. Booker’s upside can’t be ignored, especially if he starts to answer some of the questions about his game this winter. However, Edwards was at his best against the best competition at the forward spots and always showed out in those matchups. Collier was looking like the best player in the country before he was sidelined with an injury. He answered the biggest question mark about his game (outside shooting) by knocking down 40% and 46% of his outside shots in EYBL sessions one and two. He picked right back up where he left off a couple of weeks ago in Chicago at the UA Next Elite 24, winning MVP and hitting the game-winner while scoring 20 points.” - Graf

“I’m really bullish on Baltimore-based point guard Tyler Jackson, who checked in at No. 37 in the initial rankings. I’ve had the chance to watch Johnson play on a handful of occasions already, and his ability to push pace and create for himself and his teammates has grabbed my attention each time. Jackson may well be one of the better ball-handlers in the 2025 class, and he has athleticism to go with a developing long-range jumper. If he adds a few more inches to his 6-foot frame, he could end up being a pretty special prospect down the road.” - Cassidy

“I’m a really big fan of what Jaden Toombs can be by the time he graduates. He’s lost some bad weight since the spring and was looking much more nimble by the end of the summer. He tracks rebounds at a high rate and has a ton of upside on the defensive end, where he already has solid anticipation skills and blocks/alters a ton of shots. His footwork is very advanced for a kid his size at his age, and he’s got a good feel for reading and reacting to the post defense at the offensive end. His feet are pretty quick for his size as well, and his upside is very, very high.” - Graf

“In my mind, Texas-based guard Jordan Lowery was No. 41 and just narrowly missed making the cut for the initial rankings. I’ve had the chance to watch him twice and am enamored with his upside and versatility. Lowery, who plays for Drive Nation on the EYBL circuit, can fill it up from three-point range and puts pressure on defenses with his ball-handling and ability to get to the basket. I think he has massive rankings potential as he adds size and becomes a better defender. He’ll see his name the minute we expand the rankings.” - Cassidy

“Caleb Wilson is a very intriguing prospect who has a ton of upside. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll be in the next installment of the rankings and that he’ll continue to climb them as his high school career rolls on. He’s a lengthy forward that makes athletic plays at both ends of the floor and has a skill set that allows him to make jaw-dropping plays in every game. Another kid I’m high on long term is Sadiq White, who oozes with upside due to his length and athleticism. His offensive game is coming along, but his bread and butter lies in his ability to defend multiple positions and impact the game with his motor. I’m bullish on the upside he will be able to tap into over his career.” - Graf