High School Hoop Top 25
Words. HShoop
John Wall (Photo. Kelly Kline)
With the summer hoops season just about over, it’s time for us to hit you guys with our Top 25 list. With this list we place guys where we feel they are regardless of class. We don’t rank potential, only the talent that the player displays at this point in time. How each player showed against elite competition is also taken into account. A player gets no credit for tearing up the South West North Dakota middle school league. No offense to South West North Dakota.
1.John Wall Sr. 6-4 PG Word of God Academy (NC)- Separated himself as the class of the point guard position. Wall has drawn comparisons to Derrick Rose and is virtually un-guardable in the open court.
2.Lance Stephenson Sr. 6-5 G/F Lincoln (NY)- Much was made because Stephenson was cut from the U18 squad. That was not a talent move by the coaches, but more of a team chemistry thing. Make no mistake, Stephenson is the best scoring guard in the high school ranks. Period.
3.Derrick Favors Sr. 6-9 F/C South Atlanta HS (GA)- Showed a little improvement on offense, but still needs to work at it to be dominant at the next level. Right now he just over powers guys to the basket.
4.DeMarcus Cousins Sr. 6-9 F/C Le Flore HS (AL)- More polished offensively than favors, but at times falls in love with the jumper when he could go to the block and wreak havoc. (UAB)
5.Dominic Cheek Sr. 6-6 G/F St. Anthony’s (NJ)- Cheek really understands the game of basketball, which is a credit to his coach at St. Anthony’s (NJ), Bob Hurley. His jumper goes down more times than not and he plays D.
6.Kenny Boynton Sr. 6-2 G American Heritage HS (FL)- The best shooter in high school. Boynton surprised many this summer at the Elite 24 game at Rucker Park by showing that he can dish the ball as well as score it. If that’s something that he shows on a regular, he will be a complete guard.
7.Xavier Henry Sr. 6-6 G/F Putnam City HS (OK)- Henry didn’t play much this summer due to injury, so we couldn’t move him down too far. When he is healthy, he is a player.
8.Renardo Sidney Sr. 6-9 F/C Fairfax HS (CA)- Sidney is still out of shape. Before it was attributed to his youth, as he gets older that won’t be an excuse. There is no doubting his talent, Sidney has a great combination of an inside-outside game.
9.John Henson Sr. 6-10 F/C Round Rock HS (TX) - Henson is a long, rangy forward. He has tremendous talent and changes just about every shot on the defensive end. If his body ever fills out, post players will be in trouble. (UNC)
10.Daniel Orton Sr. 6-9 F/C Bishop McGuiness HS (OK)- Horton is an ox. He has a solid back to basket game and plays the game the way a big man is supposed to play.
11.Tristan Thompson Jr. 6-9 F St. Benedict’s (NJ)- The young Canadian has the most versatile game of any of the big men in the nation. Texas did a great job locking him up early, he can become a Kevin Durant type player in a few years. (Texas)
12.Avery Bradley Sr. 6-2 G Findlay (Nev.)- Bradley is a scorer through and through. Even though he is undersized for a two-guard, he makes up for it with his athleticism. He won’t be playing with Abdul Gaddy, so it will be interesting to see how he develops without a top set up man.
13.Dexter Strickland Sr. 6-3 G St. Pat’s HS (NJ)- Strickland has improved his athleticism immensely over the last year. He caught a gorgeous baseline dunk at the Elite 24 scrimmage and his first step cannot be guarded at the high school level. (UNC)
14.Jordan Hamilton Sr. 6-7 F Dominguez HS (CA)- Not too many can shoot it with the consistency of Hamilton. At 6-7 he has the size and the frame to contribute on the collegiate level right away. If he could tighten up his handle and defense, he could be the real deal.
15.Doron Lamb Jr. 6-4 G Oak Hill Academy (VA)- One of the most exciting young players to emerge this summer. The New York native transferred to Oak Hill Academy (VA) for the upcoming season and should be one to watch for the next two years. He has the whole package, as far as handle, jumper and basketball IQ.
16.Maalik Wayns Sr. 6-1 PG Roman Catholic HS (PA)- A bowling ball type point man. Wayns has a sweet handle and looks to get teammates involved. Coach Jay Wright and the Villanova Wildcats can’t wait for him to get to campus. (Villanova)
17.Abdul Gaddy Sr. 6-2 PG Bellarmine Prep (WA)- Gaddy is a smooth point guard. He doesn’t force the issue and gets the ball to his guys in the best position for them to put it in the basket. He can also score when called upon.
18.Jeremy Tyler Jr. 6-9 F/C San Diego HS (CA)- Tyler is a talent but as a big he falls in love with his jumper a little two much. Several times when he can’t overpower his opponent he settles for a jumper, instead of giving them counter post moves. When he adds that to his game, he will be a force to be reckoned with.
19.Brandon Knight Jr. 6-3 G Pine Crest School (FL)- Another youngster that had a great summer. Knight shoots is well and that usually gives him space to blow by his defender with his speed. He is still a bit on the skinny side, but that should come together as he gets older.
20.Jared Sullinger Jr. 6-7 F/C Northland HS (OH)- Sullinger is undersized as a center but his wide frame, long arms and understanding of how to use his body, allows him to score around the basket against taller players. He has already committed to Ohio St. (Ohio St.)
21.Ryan Kelly Sr. 6-10 F Ravencroft HS (NC)- Kelly is a long athlete that is effective from 15-18 ft. and in. He can really get out and run the floor and uses his length to finish around the rack.
22.Durand Scott Sr. 6-5 SG Rice HS (NY)- Scott has always been thought of as a bundle of potential. This past summer he finally put it all together. He can defend the 1-3 positions, take it to the cup and shoot it consistently.
23.Josh Selby Jr. 6-2 G Dematha Catholic HS (MD)- Selby is a bouncy athlete at 6-2 and he can score a lot. Selby also has a strong frame and when he puts his mind to it, he can be a solid defender.
24.Tony Wroten So. 6-4 PG Garfield HS (WA)- Wroten is fun to watch. He is a big lefty point guard that likes to pass the rock. When we saw him this summer, he hit teammates with beautiful passes, that they sometimes weren’t even ready for. And to think he’s only a sophomore.
25.LaQuinton Ross So. 6-8 F Word of God Academy (NC)- Ross can play the 1-5 positions on the high school level. When he heats up his jumper is automatic and it’s hard to slow him down. If he tightens up his ball handling and gets stronger, he can be the best player in his class by his senior year.
What happened over the summer between Gaddy and Bradley? I thought they’d been running over people, together, for a long time. Why the switch up? Bradley looking for his own shine? Weren’t they supposed to go to college together, too?
bradley left to get his academics in order, that’s what they’re saying but who knows. he transferred to findlay prep, that’s a pretty good ball school.
Derrick Favors should be #1!!!!