Kyrie Irving is making moves on our rankings (Photo from the NBPA Top 100 Camp)
Now that we’re a solid four months into the AAU season, it’s time for the report card – HighSchoolHoop’s new Top 50. Some have joined us and some have gotten the boot, some have climbed to the top and some have slipped into mediocrity. Still, as you well know by now, our rankings disregard class, which means even being on the list makes you a certified baller. MORE >
Check out this highlight mix of Harrison Barnes ripping up Linn-Mar in the Iowa State Championship game this past spring to cap off a perfect 26-0 season for Ames High School.
If it’s true what Harrison Barnes says – that contrary to popular speculation he’s not favoring Duke – he’s surely not doing much to quiet the rumors.
After leaving the NBA Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville, Va., Sunday, Barnes, a 6-6 swingman from Ames, Iowa, made the trek down to Chapel Hill, N.C. to visit North Carolina. At the NBA Camp, Barnes, the top-rated prospect in the HighSchoolHoop top 50, told InsideCarolina.com that he planned to participate in the first two days of the Tar Heels camp and “go back to Ames.”
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Super recruit who backed out of his N.C. State commitment now has his eye on UNC, Florida and Kentucky.
You’d be hard pressed to find another player with the freakish hops and never-ending motor of Word of God Academy (N.C.) forward C.J. Leslie. Whether it’s pinning an opposing player’s shot to the backboard or throwing down a tomahawk jam in heavy traffic, Leslie, rated the No. 12 prospect on the HighSchoolHoop Top 50, never wants for “oohs” from the crowd. But as much as Leslie loves the attention he gets for his amazing athletic abilities, he cringes at the notion that people only remember his high-wire act.
“I hate that,” says Leslie. “There is so much more to my game that just stuff.”
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What do Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker have in common? Other than all being NBA superstars, these three – along with almost 60 others – have played in the legendary World Basketball Tournament in Douai, France.
Now in its 23rd year, the World Basketball Tournament features the best under-19 talent in the world with the top national teams from Australia, Canada, France, Lithuania, Puerto Rico and the United States (represented by the 2K Sports Preseason All-American Team). With five days of competition, the tournament will prepare each squad for the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship later this summer. MORE >
Fresh off of a strong showing at the Tournament of Champions with DC Assault, Joshua Hairston, a 6-8 forward who hails from Courtland High School (Va.), must now prepare to take on the world in the World Basketball Tournament in Douai, France from June 8-15. Hairston, one of the nation’s best high school talents, will be part of the 2K Sports All-Star Team that battles squads from Australia, Spain, Lithuania, Puerto Rico, France, Canada, and Croatia the second week of June. [Editor's note: We will be covering the whole tourney right here on highschoolhoop.com, complete with video of the team's trip.]
Hairston, a Duke commit who checks in at No. 35 on the HighSchoolHoop top 50, chatted with us about everything from his grueling schedule to why basketball isn’t the only thing he’s looking forward to in France.
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Signed with North Carolina. Barnes combines a flawless and versatile offensive repertoire with an intensity on both ends that separates him from his peers.
You’d be hard pressed to find someone faster in the 2010 class and beyond. Knight seems to make the right plays every time and has an array of breakdown moves that create easy scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Signed with Ohio State. Sullinger is a master at using his big frame to absorb contact and finish in traffic. He’s active, has great hands and a wide array of low post moves.
Somewhat committed to Florida. Rivers’ quickness makes defenders want to back up, but his shooting ability makes them have to guard him close. Add in wicked passing skills and Rivers is the complete package.
Signed with Duke. Quick, fast and skilled, Irving is a big time scoring point guard who also makes his teammates better with his exceptional court vision.
Big-time scorer who doubles as an underrated passer, Wroten fills up the stat sheet and plays with a confidence that translates into success. However, he could miss his entire junior season after injuring his knee playing football.
Combines a quick first step with some of the best handles on the list to dominate opponents. Teague is a gifted scorer in a variety of different ways and involves teammates to balance his repertoire.
Versatile enough to breakdown defenders on the wing and athletic enough to put them on a poster, Leslie may very well have the best high-wire act on the list.
Signed with Texas. Thompson defines the new age big forward, slim and versatile player who reaps the benefits of running the floor. Thompson is constantly active, which allows him to excel on the offensive and defensive glass.
