Meet 20 small-school boys basketball stars across the nation in 2023-24

Some of the best basketball across the country is played in lower classifications.

With the 2023-24 high school basketball season in full bore, SBLive Sports set out to find the most impactful small-school standouts from coast to coast.

Here are 20 of the best small-school boys basketball players in the nation.

Editor’s note: All stats are current through Jan. 24.

Matt Allen, so., Gatewood (Georgia)

Only a sophomore, Allen is one of the leading scorers in all of Georgia. He is putting up 32.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 4.1 steals for Class 2A contender Gatewood.

Bryce Anderson, sr., Phoenix Christian (Arizona)

A 6-foot-6 standout, Anderson netted a staggering 72 points in a mid-January victory over Mountainside. The do-everything senior is averaging 22.4 points per game.

Isaac Andrews, sr., Wapahani (Indiana)

A four-year impact player at the varsity level, Andrews is putting up 24.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals as a senior. He is a leader at both ends of the court for Class 2A power Wapahani.

Isaac Asuma, sr., Cherry (Minnesota)

Asuma recorded his 3,000th career point in late January. A four-star Minnesota signee, Asuma is averaging 18.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.6 blocks.

Anto Balian, jr., Pilibos (California)

A breakout performer in Southern California, Balian is tallying 31.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals. The versatile guard is on the radar of Division I Cal State Northridge and Steve Lavin-led San Diego, among others.

Jack Benter, sr., Brownstown Central (Indiana)

Benter averaged nearly 30 points per game as a junior and crossed the 2,000 career points mark in December. A three-star prospect, Benter is staying in-state for college to play at Purdue.

Lorenzo Cason, sr., Victory Christian Academy (Florida)

Cason, a three-star Florida Atlantic commit, netted his 2,000th career point in December. He owns the Victory Christian Academy record for points in a game with 57.

Dayton Forsythe, sr., Dale (Oklahoma)

Forsythe, a three-star Oklahoma signee, has led Dale to back-to-back Class 2A state titles. The point guard hit the 2,000 career points mark in early January.

Juke Harris, sr., Salisbury (North Carolina)

Harris, a four-star Wake Forest signee, is a 6-foot-7 shooting guard who topped the 2,000 career points mark in January. Salisbury’s all-time leading scorer, Harris is averaging 29.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks.

Tracen Jilot, jr., Box Elder (Montana)

Jilot is putting up 29 points, four rebounds, five assists and five steals for Class C title contender Box Elder. Standing 6-feet tall, Jilot is a strong finisher at the rim who can also knock down 3-point shots.

Logan Kilbert, sr., Sierra (California)

Kilbert is the first boy in CIF Central Section history to eclipse the 3,000 career points mark. He netted 71 points — a Central Section single-game record — in an early-season win over Patten Academy. On the football field, Kilbert finished his Sierra career with 49 receiving touchdowns.

Quinn Kwasniak, jr., Cornerstone Christian (Ohio)

Kwasniak buried 13 3-pointers in a mid-January victory over Horizon Science Academy to surpass 300 triples for his career. Zach Rasile of McDonald holds the Ohio all-time record at 485. Kwasniak is averaging 33.9 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and 2.8 steals.

Matthew Lebron, so., James Irwin (Colorado)

Not to be confused with LeBron James, Matthew Lebron is a 5-foot-10, 135-pound lead guard who is tearing it up as a sophomore for James Irwin. He is putting up 25.8 points, 3.4 assists and 4.5 steals.

Javen Poindexter, sr., Red Level (Alabama)

Poindexter is a volume scorer who also causes problems on the defensive end. He is averaging 35.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.6 steals.

Grayson Rigdon, jr., Benjamin (Texas)

Rigdon got a late start to his basketball season after leading Benjamin to a six-man football state title. He has carried over the success to the hardwood where the junior is averaging 43.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 6.5 steals.

Ty’zae Rowland, sr., Grayville (Illinois)

Rowland, one of the most prolific scorers in Southern Illinois, is averaging north of 20 points per game for the third straight season. He is at 24.3 points and 8.4 rebounds as a senior.

Owen Schlager, jr., Trinity (Pennsylvania)

Schlager was a Day 1 varsity contributor who is averaging 24.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, three assists and 1.5 steals as a junior. The combo guard’s Division I offers include Albany, Drexel and Quinnipiac.

Kaizer Summers, jr., Mackay (Idaho)

A 6-foot-4 junior swingman, Summers has recorded a double-double in every game this season. He is averaging 21.3 points, 16.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.9 steals and 2.1 blocks.

Layne Taylor, sr., Farmington (Arkansas)

Taylor, a three-star North Texas commit, recorded his 3,000th career point in late January. He passed Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reeves on the state’s all-time scoring list and has the most assists in Arkansas history with 619 and counting.

Ryder Williams, sr., Versailles (Missouri)

A Baptist Bible College commit, Williams is having a monster senior season for Versailles. The do-everything guard is averaging 34 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.1 steals.

Cornerstone Christian junior Quinn Kwasniak has already hit more than 300 career 3-pointers. Photo by Jeff Harwell

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— Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports