Five prospects moving the needle early this high school season

December 12, 2023 by Max Feldman

We're officially nearing the heart of the season and the tide has turned in the evaluation of countless prospects across the country -- both positively and negatively. Here, I'll break down five prospects who are beginning to move the needle in their evaluation early this season.

Labaron Philon // Link Academy (MO)

Risen from Top-35 to 13th overall in 2024

Year in and year out, there are a number of senior's who make the jump from inside the Top-50 or so, to Top-20 status. There's a number of potential prospects trending that way in this class, but Labaron Philon continues to be one moving the needle. The future Jayhawk spent the spring and summer one of the EYBL's elites in Team Thad, quietly stringing together a high level few months. After a few years spent at Baker (AL) and claiming Player of the Year in the state as a junior, he landed with national powerhouse Link Academy in hopes of taking his game to new heights before getting to the next level. And that's exactly what he's done. In his last 31 games -- between EYBL and early season at Link -- he has 144 assists to just 41 turnovers. The level of playmaking growth, all that being in as high level of settings as you'll find pre-CBB, has moved the needle in a big way. A true combo-threat in the backcourt, blending his proven multi-level scoring ability, with real nuance and savvy playing in ball screens and setting the table for guys around him. With a deep sample size and years of evaluation, true development can sometimes get lost in the mix, but remains the biggest indicator for more long-term. An already established bluechip prospect that continues to improve and add to his arsenal against elite competition through the final stretch of his high school career -- I'll continue to buy stock.

Kayden Mingo // LuHi (NY)

Risen from fringe Top-150 to 99th overall in 2025