Victory Christian (Charlotte, N.C.) forward Montarius Hall had never played a second of AAU ball before this summer. But when his high school coach approached him about a new team he was starting, Hall was immediately intrigued.
“I had always wondered what AAU was like,” said Hall, a 6-7 rising junior. “I figured it could only help me out.”
He figured right. As his stock continues rising thank to his run with Team Charlotte this summer, Hall has Clemson, LSU, Xavier, VCU and East Carolina courting him. MORE >
Rocky Mount (N.C.) forward TaShawn Mabry is nearing the end of his recruitment, and North Carolina State has scored the coveted last official visit. MORE >
Dezmine Wells isn’t currently in serious contention for the number one spot in the Top-50 for HighSchoolHoop or any other recruiting outlets. He’s not bombarded with autograph requests at the ends of games, and there’s a decent chance that if you saw him play last season at Word of God Academy (N.C.), depending on the game, you may not even remember the 6-4 combo guard who averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game.
It’s not a knock; it’s just that shining is hard when you’re sharing the backcourt with the brightest star in the country. That’s how it was for Wells when he played alongside John Wall for the Holy Rams. MORE >
Garfield High (Wash.) will be short one big piece to their basketball team’s puzzle with star guard Tony Wroten Jr., the No. 8 rated prospect in the HighSchoolHoop top 50, sidelined with a torn ACL.
“I’m gonna have surgery next week,” said Wroten, who was injured while playing in Garfield’s season opening football game, where he doubled as a receiver and a safety.
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Of the talented players participating in the World Basketball Tournament in Douai, France, which runs from June 8-15, Jason Morris just may be the most athletic.
Injuries plagued his season at Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn., but after a strong showing at the King James Shooting Stars Classic in late April, which his New York Gauchos won, Morris, a rising senior, seems primed for a breakout summer season.
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After de-committing from Louisville in late May, Justin Martin, a small forward who hails from Lawrence North High in Indianapolis, is wide open.
Before he chose the Cards in early November, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, Purdue, Cincinnati, Dayton, Miami, Valparaiso and Xavier were all courting Martin. Most have jumped back into Martin’s recruitment in some capacity, and it’s easy to understand why.
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Rivers' quickness makes defenders want to back up, but his shooting ability makes them have to guard him close. No player in the country hunts and finds his shot as aggressively as Rivers, who tallied more 40-point games than anybody in the country this summer. The scary part is that he's getting better and better every day.
Miller dominates all facets offensively, but his best attribute may be his ability to keep the defense off balance with his shooting ability from deep. Miller averaged 32 points during the 2010 AAU season.
Committed to Kentucky. Combines a quick first step with some of the best handles on this list to dominate opponents. Teague is a gifted scorer in a variety of different ways and involves teammates to balance his repertoire.
Committed to Texas. Kabongo may be the best leader in the senior class, and his ability to create for his teammates is exceptional. He's ultra quick and breaks down the defense with ease to finish in the lane or knock down the jump shot.
Committed to North Carolina. Solid with his back to the basket, but better at finishing plays. He's skilled enough to knock down the short jumper and has an overactive motor.
Muhammad is smooth but effective, evidenced by his 31-point average during the AAU season. His jump shot is accurate and he uses his big, strong body to absorb contact and finish in the paint.
Committed to Kentucky. Lean and quick, Davis uses his athleticism and skill to dominate in the paint. He's versatile enough to consistently knock down jump shots and has a solid handle. Davis gave opposing big men fits all summer.
The youngster ranked this high? Yes indeed! Purvis is the perfect combination of athleticism and skill and has a gear that most only dream about. His jumper has improved, and he's a lockdown defender that gets to the cup whenever he wants against whoever he wants.
Committed to Ohio State. Don't let the height fool you, Ross is quicker than most perimeter defenders and long enough to finish in the lane for high-percentage shots, yet has the ability to consistently hit outside shots. He's added a fadeaway that's almost as automatic as a layup.
