Is the 2010 class of high school ballers weak? Or is the best yet to come?
by Aggrey Sam
I like the 2010 class, I really do. It has some really talented players and some potential superstars. That said, nobody in the class moves me. There aren’t any “wow” players or someone who’s just among boys. However, this group has about a year-and-a-half left to change my mind. Let’s hope that happens. And hey, even if it doesn’t, we’ll be treated to some really good college ball over the next five years or so.
| Rank | Name | Height | Position | School | Why? |
| 1 | Tristan Thompson | 6-9 | PF/SF | St. Benedict’s (NJ) | Early Texas commit’s production is getting close to matching amazing potential. |
| 2 | Brandon Knight | 6-3 | PG | Pine Crest (FL) | Scoring point who can also dominate by locking down and distributing. |
| 3 | Jared Sullinger | 6-8 | PF/C | Northland (OH) | Ohio State commit isn’t flashy, but is a monster down low. |
| 4 | Jereme Richmond | 6-7 | SF/SG | Waukegan (IL) | Smooth, Illinois-bound wing can score in transition, from deep and at the rim. |
| 5 | Deshaun Thomas | 6-7 | PF/SF | Luers (IN) | Tough and efficient on the inside, but able to operate on the perimeter, too. |
| 6 | Josh Smith | 6-9 | C | Kentwood (WA) | Mammoth-sized inside force with a nice touch and nimble feet. |
| 7 | Jeremy Tyler | 6-10 | C | San Diego (CA) | Incredible power prospect who is still putting complete package together. |
| 8 | Harrison Barnes | 6-6 | SF | Ames (IA) | Well-rounded swingman combines fundamentals with great athleticism. |
| 9 | Doron Lamb | 6-4 | SG | Oak Hill (VA) | Smooth New Yorker gets buckets from behind the arc, off the dribble and mid range. |
| 10 | Roscoe Smith | 6-7 | SF | Walbrook (MD) | Baltimore wing is a big-time athlete with intriguing skills. |
| 11 | Adreian Payne | 6-9 | PF | Jefferson (OH) | Long athlete is a shot blocker who runs the floor like a guard. |
| 12 | Kendall Marshall | 6-4 | PG | O’Connell (VA) | UNC commit is a pass-first point guard who looks to get his teammates involved. |
| 13 | Dion Waiters | 6-3 | SG | Life Center (NJ) | Philly native and Syracuse commit is a physical and aggressive scorer. |
| 14 | Phil Pressey | 5-9 | PG | Dallas Episcopal (TX) | Dynamic floor general doesn’t have his father Paul’s size, but did inherit his skills. |
| 15 | Josh Hairston | 6-8 | PF | Courtland (VA) | Future Dukie is an inside-outside big man with a great skill set. |
| 16 | Tyler Lamb | 6-5 | SG | Mater Dei (CA) | UCLA commit is a skilled knockdown shooter who uses his size and smarts effectively. |
| 17 | Markel Starks | 6-2 | PG | Georgetown Prep (MD) | Polished future Hoyas scoring point has range, strength and an eye-catching handle. |
| 18 | Ray McCallum | 6-1 | PG | Detroit Country Day (MI) | Explosive pure point guard plays like the son of a coach that he is. |
| 19 | Lenzelle Smith | 6-4 | SF | Zion-Benton (IL) | Rugged Ohio State commit doesn’t pass the look test, but is skilled and versatile. |
| 20 | Dominique Ferguson | 6-10 | SF | Lawrence North (IN) | Long and fluid Kentucky commit handles and shoots better than most guards. |
| 21 | Gerard Coleman | 6-4 | SG | Tilton (NH) | Slender and versatile slasher from Boston can get to the rack at will. |
| 22 | Josh Selby | 6-2 | PG/SG | DeMatha (MD) | Tennessee-bound lead guard is a big-time scorer and playmaker. |
| 23 | James Bell | 6-5 | SF/SG | Monteverde (FL) | Early Villanova commit is a strong, extremely athletic wing with a much-improved J. |
| 24 | CJ Leslie | 6-9 | PF/SF | Word of God (NC) | Long athlete with developing skills should be even better when he gets to N.C. State. |
| 25 | Gary Franklin | 6-2 | PG/SG | Mater Dei (CA) | Pure-shooting USC commit can also run the show. |
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