Read the fine print, then peep this list of the nation’s best as they enter the stretch of their final season.
by Aggrey Sam
Before you read this, understand one thing: I don’t think I’m the end-all or be-all of high school rankings. If you get worked up over these rankings, then obviously you do. That’s a personal problem. These rankings are strictly my opinion. They are based off where I go and what I see. If other people choose to do it differently, that’s cool, but not my style. Also, while these rankings hopefully give you a good idea of how good I think these players are right now, in a year, they’ll be moot. That’s because these kids will be in college and how good they’ll be will be based on how they adjust to college. That is all.
| Rank | Name | Height | Position | School | College | Why? |
| 1 | Lance Stephenson | 6-6 | SG | Lincoln (NY) | Undecided | “Born Ready” is still capable of dominating a game like no other player in the class. |
| 2 | DeMarcus Cousins | 6-10 | PF/C | LeFlore (AL) | Kentucky | Starting to utilize his pro-like physique and skills on a consistent basis. |
| 3 | John Wall | 6-4 | PG | Word of God (NC) | Undecided | Already explosive as they come, ever-improving floor game makes him unguardable. |
| 4 | Derrick Favors | 6-9 | PF/C | South Atlanta (GA) | Georgia Tech | Newly-developed outside game complements dominating post presence. |
| 5 | Xavier Henry | 6-6 | SG | Putnam City (OK) | Memphis | Advanced wing scorer is either too big or too skilled for defenders. |
| 6 | John Henson | 6-10 | PF | Sickles (FL) | North Carolina | Rail-thin prospect’s defensive presence and offensive versatility are an exciting blend. |
| 7 | Kenny Boynton | 6-2 | PG/SG | American Heritage (FL) | Florida | Always capable of lighting up scoreboards, d and playmaking are also strengths. |
| 8 | Avery Bradley | 6-3 | PG/SG | Findlay (NV) | Texas | Lights-out shooter with top-notch athleticism is also an elite defender. |
| 9 | Renardo Sidney | 6-10 | SF/PF/C | Fairfax (CA) | USC | When motivated and in shape, nobody’s skills compare. |
| 10 | Jordan Hamilton | 6-7 | SF | Dominguez (CA) | Texas | Physical, polished slasher makes his presence felt in the paint and on the perimeter. |
| 11 | Maalik Wayns | 6-1 | PG | Roman Catholic (PA) | Villanova | Pure point guard’s toughness and competitiveness set him apart. |
| 12 | Mason Plumlee | 6-11 | PF | Christ (NC) | Duke | Skilled big man gets it done in a variety of ways. |
| 13 | Michael Snaer | 6-5 | SG | Rancho Verde (CA) | Florida State | Strong and athletic wing with a pure stroke does it on both offense and defense. |
| 14 | Abdul Gaddy | 6-3 | PG | Bellarmine (WA) | Washington | Smooth playmaker with good size, uncanny vision and a high iq. |
| 15 | Keith Gallon | 6-9 | C | Oak Hill (VA) | Oklahoma | “Tiny” can dominate in the paint, but is also able to get it done on the perimeter. |
| 16 | Alex Oriakhi | 6-9 | C | Tilton (NH) | Connecticut | Big-time shot-blocking and rebounding threat with solid offensive fundamentals |
| 17 | Dominic Cheek | 6-6 | SG/SF | St. Anthony (NJ) | Villanova | Slender swingman has a complete offensive repetoire. |
| 18 | Aaric Murray | 6-10 | C/PF | Glen Mills (PA) | La Salle | Still learning the game’s finer points, but tremendous skills and incredible upside. |
| 19 | Wally Judge | 6-9 | PF | Arlington Country Day (FL) | Kansas State | Monster athlete’s bread and butter is inside, but outside game is also developing. |
| 20 | Ryan Kelly | 6-10 | PF | Ravenscroft (NC) | Duke | Skilled and athletic face-up big man with excellent versatility. |
| 21 | Thomas Robinson | 6-8 | PF | Brewster (NH) | Kansas | Rugged rebounder with a great motor, but also has a varied offensive game. |
| 22 | Roger Franklin | 6-5 | PF/SF | Duncanville (TX) | Oklahoma State | Inside warrior has worked hard to develop nice wing skills. |
| 23 | DJ Richardson | 6-3 | SG | Findlay (NV) | Illinois | Excellent scorer, but a willing and able defender and passer. |
| 24 | Dante Taylor | 6-8 | PF | National Christian (MD) | Pittsburgh | Physical and athletic inside force who produces without fanfare. |
| 25 | Royce White | 6-7 | SF/PF | Hopkins (MN) | Minnesota | Athletic and skilled forward can beat opponents on inside or outside. |
| 26 | Richard Howell | 6-8 | PF | Wheeler (GA) | North Carolina State | An extremely skilled playmaker for his size and tough in the paint. |
| 27 | Rodney Williams | 6-6 | SF | Robbinsdale-Cooper (MN) | Minnesota | High-flying wing doesn’t mind doing dirty work and has improved his outside jumper. |
| 28 | Daniel Orton | 6-10 | C | McGuiness (OK) | Kentucky | Post presence is starting to take advantage of his advanced frame and athleticism. |
| 29 | Peyton Siva | 5-11 | PG/SG | Franklin (WA) | Louisville | Explosive athlete has made concerted effort to hone point guard skills. |
| 30 | Junior Cadougan | 6-0 | PG | Christian Life (TX) | Marquette | Stocky floor general is simply a born winner. |
| 31 | Joe Burton | 6-8 | C/PF | West Valley (CA) | Oregon State | Widebody is fun to watch, active and even possesses some guard-like skills. |
| 32 | Leslie McDonald | 6-5 | SG | Briarcrest Christian (TN) | North Carolina | Solid all-around player with polished scoring arsenal. |
| 33 | Shawn Williams | 6-7 | SF | Duncanville (TX) | Texas | Shooter has expanded overall game to become complete player. |
| 34 | Jamal Coombs-McDaniel | 6-7 | SF | Tilton (NH) | Connecticut | Versatile Bostonian can play anywhere from post to point. |
| 35 | Tommy Mason-Griffin | 5-11 | PG | Madison (TX) | Oklahoma | Playmaking and scoring come easy to strong Houston native. |
| 36 | Isaiah Armwood | 6-8 | PF/SF | Montrose Christian (MD) | Villanova | Long and athletic talent can affect games on both ends of the floor. |
| 37 | Ari Stewart | 6-7 | SF | Wheeler (GA) | Wake Forest | Elite-level athlete has added some toughness to his outside shooting. |
| 38 | Durand Scott | 6-4 | SG | Rice (NY) | Miami | Classic NYC scorer is clutch and plays hard on both ends. |
| 39 | Karron Johnson | 6-7 | PF | Mount Zion (NC) | Oklahoma State | Powerful insider can be a man among boys when focused. |
| 40 | Dexter Strickland | 6-3 | PG/SG | St. Patrick (NJ) | North Carolina | Fundamentally sound and dynamic athlete who is solid within a system. |
| 41 | Noel Johnson | 6-7 | SF | Fayette County (GA) | USC | Smooth scorer should flourish with more help around him on next level. |
| 42 | Erik Murphy | 6-10 | PF | St. Mark’s (MA) | Florida | Polished post player is a prototype inside-outside four man. |
| 43 | Tristan Spurlock | 6-7 | SF | Word of Life (VA) | Virginia | Versatile athlete who can step out behind the arc. |
| 44 | Marshawn Powell | 6-7 | PF | Miller (VA) | Arkansas | Hard-nosed forward gets it done with muscle on inside, polish on outside. |
| 45 | Jamil Wilson | 6-7 | SF | Horlick (WI) | Undecided | Scary that this slender and graceful athlete’s best days should be ahead of him. |
| 46 | Kyryl Natyazkho | 6-10 | C | IMG (FL) | Undecided | Skilled European import is one of the top available big men. |
| 47 | Rahlir Jefferson | 6-6 | SF | Chester (PA) | Temple | Solid all-around player and high-flyer who gets it done on both ends. |
| 48 | Lamar Patterson | 6-5 | SF/SG | St. Benedict’s (NJ) | Pittsburgh | Tough, big-bodied wing with a sweet stroke and good feel for the game. |
| 49 | Darius Smith | 6-2 | PG | Marshall (IL) | Undecided | Defensive-minded floor leader from the Chi has a winning mentality. |
| 50 | John Jenkins | 6-4 | SG | Gallatin County (TN) | Vanderbilt | Possibly the best pure shooter in the nation, but can put it on the floor, too. |
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