While the usual game-plan for top tier nationally ranked high school hoops recruits is to chose a college destination prior to their senior seasons in high school, this year is different, with a number of Top 100 ranked recruits taking their time in committing to a school. The usual sentiment is that players that commit early free themselves from any distractions and can then focus on getting their grades up, while also doing their best to help their high school teammates advance as far as they can in state playoffs. The downside is that college coaches don’t like to wait for anything, and sometimes move on to the next best player in the rankings, just to have next season’s roster set as soon as possible.
While a number of top tier ballers and instant impact players like Mike Gilchrist(Kentucky), Myck Kabongo(Texas), and Rakeem Christmas(Syracuse) have already chosen where they will be playing their college ball during the ’11-’12 season, some truly game-changing talent is still on the board like #1 overall ranked Austin Rivers. It should be an interesting Winter on the recruiting front.
Here are my Top Ten Still Uncommitted Players in the 2011 HS Class:
1) Austin Rivers(6’4 189 lbs) – Winter Park HS, Florida
#1 Overall – #1 Shooting Guard
As the unquestioned most prolific and potent offensive force among incoming HS seniors, Rivers is the prize of the 2011 Class. Possessing an already NBA ready arsenal of moves, he can either blow by defenders, show off his long range shooting, or make defenders look stupid by showcasing his highly potent jab-step and pull-up. Rivers is a capable defender but is considered a gambler, which sometimes gets him into foul trouble. His story is much publicized: NBA coach’s son who committed to Florida as a freshman, then de-committed as a junior and is now considering Duke, UNC, and Kansas. The month of October should get interesting since he has visits scheduled with all 3 schools in his final choices. Rivers is considered a Duke lean, but insists his recruitment is still wide open.
2) Quincy Miller(6‘9 210 lbs) – Westchester Country Day School
#4 Overall – #2 Power Forward
After transferring to Westchester to play alongside high profile teammates Deuce Bello and Ike Nwamu for the upcoming season, Miller will look to use his unique all-around skill-set to make Westchester a national powerhouse. His game has drawn comparisons to anyone from Kevin Durant to Rudy Gay, and even NCAA legend Danny Manning at Kansas. Although he is listed as a PF, what makes Miller one of the most coveted players in the class is his abilities to both drive and shoot the basketball, ala Durant. Possessing above average range out to the 3 point arc, and can be a good rebounder and shot-blocker if he puts his mind to it. Once considered a Kentucky lean, Miller has now turned his attention to SEC rival Louisville, obviously upset at Calipari getting a commit from another Top 5 recruit Anthony Davis. Any school must consider him a package deal with teammate and friend Bello. He lists his final 5 schools as Louisville, Kentucky, Duke, Baylor, and Texas. I suspect he will wind up in Louisville, but don’t rule out the Wildcats, or the suddenly recruiting upstart Baylor Bears.
3) LeBryan Nash(6‘7 230 lbs) – Lincoln HS, Texas
#10 Overall – #3 SF
As one of the most physically gifted players in the class, and unlike most HS seniors, Nash takes pride in his imposing defensive abilities. Even though his defense is ahead of his offense to this point, he excels in transition and has the body to withstand punishment on his way to the rim. He has an improves perimeter game with range out to the arc. He reminds me both in stature and demeanor to that of NBA bad-boy Ron Artest. College coaches have already taken a cautious path in his recruitment because of a perceived bad attitude and body language at times(ala Artest). In fact, the University of Arizona recently canceled an upcoming visit altogether. Nash has been a top ranked prospect for a number of years because of his physical stature but still needs time to mature as a young man. Nash can make an immediate impact to a college program, and has possible one-and-done potential. His Top 5 schools are OK State, Baylor, Kansas, Arizona, and St. John’s. He reportedly will announce his future plans on ESPN on October 21. In my opinion, after his official visit to Kansas on Oct 15th, he will select the Jayhawks.
4) Adonis Thomas(6‘6 210 lbs) – Melrose HS, Tennessee
#9 Overall – #2 Small Forward
Despite not having overwhelming size, Thomas is a match-up nightmare with his unique combination of athleticism, quickness, and basketball IQ. He’s too quick for bigger PF’s and too skilled as a backcourt player for opposing wings to contain. His stock has sky-rocketed this Summer over a much improved mid-range game and an innate ability to rebound as well as any SF in the class. Thomas has a motor that doesn’t quit and has potential as a high volume scorer. With that being said, he still needs to improve ball-handling and 3 point shooting, which is a must in today’s game. As evidence of his starring in an upcoming MTV reality series, he exudes star power and should make an immediate impact in college. Thomas’ top choices include Memphis, Tennessee, Arkansas, UCLA, and Florida. It’s hard to belive that any 5 star prospect would chose Tennessee amidst all their recent recruiting violations, so look for him to stay in state and play for Josh Pastner at Memphis.
5) Johnny O’Bryant(6‘10 245 lbs) – East Side HS, Mississippi
#13 Overall – #1 Center
Sporting his now trademark dreads, similar to that of the one’s Chris Bosh used to proudly wear, O’Bryant also has a game akin to that of the NBA All Star. He uses his immense size and strength to overpower opposing bigs on the block, and armed with a deft left handed jump hook, is nearly unstoppable inside the paint. He needs to play with more consistency but has the total package as the #1 Center in the class. He is an excellent rebounder and must improve his range outside of the painted area but has been known to knock down an occasional trey. He is a bit of a mystery outside of his home-state but he has all the tools to be a dominating big man in college. Rumor has it that he only wants to play close to home and lists Miss St, LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, Miami(Fl), and Maryland as possible destinations.
6) Ben McLemore(6‘5 185 lbs) – Oak Hill Academy
#17 Overall – #7 Small Forward
Mclemore’s stock has sky-rocketed after making the transition from a big as an under-classmen to a wing player as a senior. This Summer he has shown the ability to take over games with tremendous scoring abilities that extend to the 3 point arc. As one of the ‘11 Class’s best finishers, he is an instant crowd favorite and has the potential to be one of the game’s best high flyers as a freshman in college. Unlike most other top prospects, Ben also is a lock-down defender and will relish the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s best player. Because of his former proficiency as a froncourt player, he is an excellent rebounder on both sides of the floor. Adding an additional 10-15 lbs would help against bigger collegiate players, but NCAA weight rooms figure to be a quick fix. Playing alongside an elite level PG in Quinn Cook this year at Oak Hill Academy will do wonders for his senior stats. Considering he has an early October official visit to Kansas, the Jayhawks are his #1 choice, followed by Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and Ohio State.
7) Quinn Cook(6‘1 180 lbs) – Oak Hill Academy
#34 Overall – #5 Point Guard
Quinn is one of the most highly sought after point men still on the board as he is arguably the fastest player in the class when it comes to handling the rock. Similar to Josh Selby in the ’10 Class, he is as determined and every bit as acrobatic on his attacks on the rim as anyone in the class. Although at times streaky, he can be deadly from the perimeter and is a one man press-breaker if need be. He has a knack for nailing the big shot but must improve shot selection like all young players and despite not having overwhelming size, is not a liability on defense, thanks to a surprising 73“ inch wingspan. Quinn is currently re-habbing a devastating knee injury sustained in the Boost Mobile Game, but all signs point to him making a full recovery to finish his senior year. Quinn has become the favorite fall-back recruit of many schools like Kansas, UCLA, Georgetown, UNC, and St. John’s who missed out on players like Marquis Teague, Myck Kabongo, and Josiah Turner.
8 ) Cody Zeller(6‘11 215 lbs) – Washington HS, Indiana
#20 Overall – #3 Center
As the younger brother of Luke at Notre Dame, and Tyler at Carolina, the youngest Zeller now gets his turn on the recruiting circuit. Ranked only behind Johnny O’Bryant and Rakeem Christmas among Center prospects, Cody is an extremely mobile big man, who projects as an elite level rebounder and defensive force. He has arguably the best hands among any of the bigs in the class and is above average offensively in the low post with a variety of drop steps and jump hooks. But where Cody really excels is in the open floor on the break after getting it started with a key block or rebound. With improved strength and bulk, he could become a premier big man in college, with a future destination in the NBA. Cody has a preference of staying close to home in the “Hoosier State” and is considering Indiana, Butler, along with playing alongside brother Tyler at North Carolina.
9) Tony Wroten Jr(6‘4 205 lbs) – Garfield HS, Washington
#31 Overall – #4 Point Guard
We here at the Hoopdoctors, have written extensively about Wroten, who is one of the more intriguing prospects in the class. True he has a tremendous amount of athleticism and could be the next John Wall, but has had a history of injuries and eligibility issues. After overcoming a knee injury playing football his junior season, Wroten is reportedly back at full strength and ready to dominate once again as a HS senior. Some scouts worry about a lack of explosion no doubt because of the ailing knee, but Wroten squashed those rumors with his stellar play this Summer on the U17 USA Basketball squad. He just finished up an official visit to Louisville, but is considering Kentucky, Villanova, Washington, and Connecticut.
10) DeAndre Daniels(6‘8 190 lbs) – IMG Academy
#23 Overall – #6 Small Forward
Daniels skill as an elite level scorer are unquestioned. He has a variety of moves either off the dribble or as an above average 3 point shooter, with a seemingly effortless release on his jumper. Daniels, despite a slender frame has been a good rebounder at the HS level. Originally in the 2010 Class, Daniels decided to take an extra year in prep school(IMG) over academic ineligibility issues. He committed to Texas in July of ‘09, but de-committed this Summer and is currently considering UNLV, Kentucky, USC, UCLA, and Washington. Daniels remains an elite level talent despite seemingly constant eligibility issues(He has played at 5 schools in last 5 years and was ineligible for ‘08-’09 season). When and if he ever winds up on a college campus, Daniels has the potential to be a star.
Others:
Deuce Bello(#50 Overall – #18 SG), Jabari Brown(#22 Overall – #7 SG), Nick Faust(#25 Overall -#9 SG), Ky Madden(#46 Overall – #16 SG), and Ryan Boatright(#36 Overall – #6 PG)
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
