Words. C.J. Leslie

Word of God Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) star forward C.J. Leslie is the #10-rated prospect in the HSH Top 50. Previously committed to N.C. State, Leslie recently re-opened his recruiting and has opted to wait until the spring to decide on a college. That alone makes his one of the most intriguing stories in the 2010 senior class, and Leslie also happens to be one of its most exciting players.

C.J. has agreed to give HSH exclusive access and chronicle his thoughts in this bi-monthly diary where he’ll talk about everything from his season with Word of God to the recruiting process as he inches closer and closer to a decision. For this entry, he’s brought in Walton H.S. (Marietta, Ga.) star point guard Ryan Harrow, an N.C. State signee and the nation’s biggest McDonald’s/Jordan Brand All-American snub: MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

Ryan Harrow is beginning to sense a pattern.

Last week, after the selections for the 2010 McDonald’s All-American Game were announced live on ESPNU, Harrow — a senior point guard at Walton H.S. in Marietta, Ga. — once again found himself on the outside looking in as he was denied a career-defining opportunity. General consensus among several media and HSH readers was that Harrow was the biggest McD’s snub out of anybody.

“I found out that I didn’t make it about a week before it was announced,” said Harrow, ranked No. 26 in the HSH national Top 50. MORE >

Words. Aron Phillips

I told you yesterday that the McDonald’s All American Game Selection Show was happening tonight, as the top 24 high school basketball seniors in the country would be selected to play in the prestigious 2010 Games set to tip off in Columbus, Ohio on March 31. Well the ballots are in, so check out the rosters for both teams. MORE >

Words. Trevor Kapp

Erasto Hatchett is the coach of Word of God Christian Academy (a.k.a. John Wall’s alma mater) in Raleigh, N.C. After coaching at Cannon School in Concord, N.C., the past few years, he was named the head coach of Word of God in August, and has led his team comprised of several D-1 prospects to a 12-4 record through Monday. Hatchett, who played at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, is also the brother-in-law of prized N.C. State basketball commit Ryan Harrow. I sat down with Hatchett following a win last week and asked him about his kids, his visions and his life as the head coach of an aspiring national power. MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

Walton High School (Marietta, Ga.) point guard Ryan Harrow fell out unconscious during one game, then collapsed in another — both over the course of a week — ultimately landing him in the hospital where he was held overnight last week.

“It was pretty scary because I was non-responsive both times,” said Harrow, HSH’s 26th-rated player. “I was just trying to play through the flu, but I was just too sick and I ended up passing out. I’m taking it easy now, just staying in bed eating and drinking. I’m doing better.” MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

In between the mouth-watering turkey and perfectly glazed ham, the tasty pies and rich cakes, it’s a customary practice on Thanksgiving to go around the table and voice the many reasons to be thankful.

But from family to health and everything in between, the grateful glorifications have become just a bit cliché. I mean, c’mon, how much can you REALLY appreciate a pet Cocker Spaniel?

That’s why we caught up with five of the top players in the country and had them chime in on which basketball skill they’re most thankful for: MORE >