Top 10 Uncommitted High School Players in the 2012 Class

Even though many of this season’s breakout HS stars like Mitch McGary (Michigan), Kyle Anderson (UCLA), and Cameron Ridley (Texas) have already made decisions as to where they will be playing their college ball, there are still a number of game-changing prospects still on the board in the senior class.

Let’s take a look at the best remaining prospects in the 2012 recruiting class:

Our Savior New American, Centereach, NY

6‘8 225lbs C

#91 ESPN, NR Scout, #105 Rivals

As one of the fastest rising prospects in the senior class, this defensive and very physical big man has been putting up some spectacular numbers for his Long Island based Our Savior squad, helping them get out to an early 11-0 start. Especially notable was his amazing triple-double consisting of 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 20 blocks in a home game against National Christian from Maryland.

The rather cartoon-ish 20 blocks were legit, as St. John’s coach Steve Lavin was sitting courtside.  The Johnnies, along with fellow Big East schools, UConn, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Seton Hall are all showing heavy interest as of late.

Findlay Prep, Las Vegas, NV

6‘8 205lbs SF

#68 ESPN, #43 Scout, #40 Rivals

Playing alongside fellow top prospects like Corey Joseph, Tristan Thompson, Nick Johnson, and now Anthony Bennett at Findlay Prep in recent years, this long and athletic combo forward has bided his time making a decision until late into his senior campaign. He’s a bit of a tweener in the mold of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at Kentucky in that he needs to improve perimeter shooting to play the 3, yet is probably too small for the 4.

Shepard has a motor that doesn’t quit, plays as hard as any player in the country, and racks up an amazing amount of rebounds and blocked shots for his position. He could be an emotional leader who plays outstanding defense for any number of high major Division I schools out West pursuing him the hardest like UNLV, Oklahoma State, UTEP, New Mexico, and San Diego State.

Constitution HS, Philadelphia, PA

6‘6 190lbs PF

#67 ESPN, #49 Scout, #53 Rivals

It’s not often that a highly sought after prospect gets to commit to a top notch Big East program like Villanova, only to de-commit and change high schools prior to his senior season, then get to re-open his recruitment to the likes of even bigger schools like UCLA, UConn, and Kansas. That’s precisely the case of the Philadelphia native, who is arguably the most athletic and most gifted physical specimen in the class. Goodman is a bull on his path to the rim as an aggressive scorer, is also an outstanding rebounder, and uses his exceptional athleticism to play lock down defense on opposing forwards.

Goodman played in the shadows of former highly touted teammates Rakeem Christmas(Syracuse) and Malcolm Gilbert(Pitt) on Academy of New Church last season but transferred to Constitution to play with elite PG prospect Daiquan Walker. Some theorize that he may reclassify to 2013 but he recently cut his list to 8 schools – UCLA, UConn, Missouri, Kansas, Pitt, St. John’s, Temple, and Villanova.

Arlington Country Day, Durham, NC

6‘4 200lbs SG

#38 ESPN, #51 Scout, #51 Rivals

As one of the top rated shooting guards in the class, Graham has had a tough time deciding where he will play his college ball. After committing twice to instate favorite Mark Gottfried at NC State, Graham has once again re-negged on his decision prior to Christmas and re-opened his recruitment.

There’s no denying that he is one of the most exciting players in the country, regularly dunking on opponents and has 3 point range from anywhere in the gym. Where he struggles is anywhere in between, as he needs better shot selection, to learn how to use his athleticism to get by defenders on the perimeter, and pull up for a few mid range jumpers rather than face bigger frontcourt players at the next level. Favorites to land Graham are Arizona, Louisville, Villanova, Baylor, Texas, Oregon, Texas Tech, and NC State.

Riverside Academy, Laplace, LA

6‘7 240lbs PF

#30 ESPN, #34 Scout, #37 Rivals

After making a commitment as a junior to St. John’s, Gather like many others on this list has re-opened his recruitment heading into the Spring signing period. He can be a bit of an enigmatic player since he is an outright physical specimen that prefers to play facing the basket rather than using his rather imposing strength to bang down low.

He has an impressive mid-range game that extends to 18 feet and finishes well in traffic but he needs to improve low post moves and could add 3 point range. Ricardo could project as a Terrence Jones at Kentucky type player with a little less handles if he keeps improving. Syracuse, LSU, and St. John’s already have offered, with Georgetown, Baylor, Duke, Florida, and Oregon also on the trail.

Miller Grove HS, Lithonia, GA

6‘8 270lbs PF/C

#31 ESPN, ##19 Scout, #33 Rivals

As arguably one of the best low post players in the high school ranks, one could imagine all of the attention Parker has received as an uncommitted senior. Parker is as physical a player as any in the country, possessing a bevy of low post moves and is blessed with a soft pair of hands that catch anything thrown his way. Although his Miller Park squad has lost several key match-ups on national TV, Parker has held his own against any and every opposing big man in his path.

One area of concern may be conditioning as he has struggled with weight and sometimes struggles going end-to-end on consecutive possessions. Parker is an immediate impact player in the mold of Reynardo Sidney at Mississippi State, but minus the attitude. He has already received an offer from UCLA, Duke, Kentucky, Ohio State, Georgetown, Memphis, and Kansas, with UConn coming in late.

Kemper County HS, De Kalb, MS

6‘7 200lbs SF

#20 ESPN, #21 Scout, #9 Rivals

Pollard continues to push back his college choice due to the fact he is a star on the gridiron as well. Possessing outstanding athleticism, Pollard can literally jump out of the gym and could be a freakish athlete on the collegiate level.

Ranked in the Top 10 by some sources, he has a motor that doesn’t quit and reminds some scouts of Travis Outlaw of the NBA. While he’s most likely considering staying close to home in the SEC with Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi State, Georgetown, Missouri, Texas, and NC State have also offered.

Friends Central HS, Philadelphia, PA

6‘7 190lbs PF

#24 ESPN, #20 Scout, #36 Rivals

One of the best pure athletes in the class, Jefferson is as sought after as any recruit late in his senior season. Although he’s a wiry thin, combo forward that will need to add weight on the collegiate level, he’s always looking to score, rebound, and defend as well as anyone in the class. Amile is a deer from baseline to baseline, has a great set of hands, and scores well facing the basket and with outstanding touch on his jumper.

Jefferson could be a diamond in the rough as most agree he has only scratched the surface of just how good he can be with further seasoning. Many think that hometown Villanova has the edge but his dream school is Kentucky, who offered Philly’s best prospect a scholly late in 2011. Also in the hunt are UConn, Syracuse, Maryland, NC State, and Ohio State.

Findlay Prep, Las Vegas, Nevada

6‘8 230lbs PF

#7 ESPN, #9 Scout, #7 Rivals

As the best player on one of the nation’s best HS hoops program, Bennett will undoubtedly be one of the NCAA’s bright young stars, possibly as early as next season. He is a slightly undersized power forward with a multi-faceted skill set that includes ball-handling and 3 point shooting.

With a chiseled frame, Bennett finishes as well as any player in the class and uses his explosive leaping ability to play above the rim. He’s an outstanding rebounder but considering his size, but considering his size, needs to refine his perimeter game to face up more against bigger players. Anthony should be a starter from day one and is on most high major coach’s radars like Kentucky, Florida, UConn, Ohio State, Pitt, UNLV, and others.

Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, Nevada

6‘6 215lbs SF

#1 ESPN, #1 Scout, #1 Rivals

Everyone in college basketball is holding their breath waiting to see where the nation’s consensus #1 rated prospect will commit. But they may be waiting for a while as Muhammed is the NBA’s version of the top free agent, waiting to see where all of the other pieces fall before going to a school that gives him the best chance to win. He does everything from scoring at an insanely high clip, rebounding well for his position, to having a drive to succeed like few other prospects and regularly takes advantage of mismatches by posting up smaller wing players.

He supposedly is a Kentucky or UCLA lean but has upwards of 8 schools still on his list, but reportedly won’t make a decision until the April signing period.   Coach Cal and staff can usually be seen sitting courtside at every Bishop Gorman game.  Additionally, Duke and UNLV round out his Top 4 potential destinations.