The best class in a minute is ready to be on center stage.
by Aggrey Sam
Typically, the senior class in high school basketball (or at least a few players from it) is the focus of hoop junkies who fiend to know who’s the next big thing. However, the Class of 2011 has been threatening to steal the spotlight for a couple of years now, and it looks like they might be ready. The top junior prospects in the nation have that type of appeal, where it appears that we might need to know their names for the next 15-20 years. Might as well learn them now:
| Rank | Name | Height | Position | School | Why? |
| 1 | Michael Gilchrist | 6-8 | SF | St. Patrick (NJ) | Best player in the nation, regardless of class. |
| 2 | Austin Rivers | 6-3 | SG/PG | Winter Park (FL) | Pure scorer has deep range, a jaw-dropping handle, excellent court vision. |
| 3 | Rakeem Christmas | 6-10 | C/PF | Academy of the New Church (PA | Athletic shotblocker’s offense is quickly catching up to his D. |
| 4 | Johnny O’Bryant | 6-9 | PF | Eastside (MS) | Monster athlete complements power game with ability to step outside. |
| 5 | Marquis Teague | 6-2 | PG/SG | Pike (IN) | Explosive scorer may be ahead of NBA rookie brother Jeff at the same stage. |
| 6 | Quincy Miller | 6-8 | SF | Quality Education (NC) | Long, skilled forward can handle and shoot, produce on the inside with athleticism. |
| 7 | Tony Wroten | 6-5 | PG/SG | Garfield (WA) | Playmaker has excellent size and athleticism for the point. |
| 8 | James McAdoo | 6-9 | PF | Norfolk Christian (VA) | Skilled forward can do damage on the inside and outside. |
| 9 | Adonis Thomas | 6-6 | SF | Melrose (TN) | Strong athlete continues to become more polished on the perimeter. |
| 10 | Dezmine Wells | 6-5 | SF | Word of God (NC) | Athletic wing has added perimeter skills to bruising inside game. |
| 11 | LeBryan Nash | 6-7 | PF/SF | Lincoln (TX) | Physical and athletic forward is a skilled and versatile scorer. |
| 12 | Quinn Cook | 6-1 | PG | DeMatha (MD) | Quick floor general has tremendous range, feel for the game. |
| 13 | Michael Gbinije | 6-6 | SF/SG | Benedictine (VA) | Smooth all-around player is a deadly shooter with good athleticism. |
| 14 | Myck Kabongo | 6-1 | PG | St. Benedict’s (NJ) | Canadian has improved scoring and defensive ability to go with blazing quickness. |
| 15 | Mikael Hopkins | 6-8 | PF | DeMatha (MD) | Long and athletic post prospect continues to add to impressive repertoire. |
| 16 | DeAndre Daniels | 6-8 | SF/PF | Taft (CA) | Versatile and bouncy forward makes things happen in the paint and on the perimeter. |
| 17 | Angelo Chol | 6-9 | PF/C | Hoover (CA) | Inside presence is still developing offensive skills, but produces results. |
| 18 | Keaton Miles | 6-6 | SF | Lincoln (TX) | Polished swingman gives maximum effort on both ends of the floor. |
| 19 | Chasson Randle | 6-2 | SG/PG | Rock Island (IL) | Combo guard is effective running an offense, getting buckets or locking up on D. |
| 20 | Tyler Adams | 6-10 | C | Brandon (MS) | Physical post player continues to add polish to offensive game. |
| 21 | LaQuinton Ross | 6-8 | SF | Murrah (MS) | Big wing has diverse array of scoring methods. |
| 22 | Bradley Beal | 6-4 | SG | Chaminade (MO) | Pure shooter has good size and can also get to the bucket. |
| 23 | James Siakam | 6-6 | PF/SF | Brehm (IL) | Undersized beast is a monster athlete who gives maximum effort and is developing perimeter skills. |
| 24 | Mychal Ammons | 6-6 | SF/SG | Vicksburg (MS) | Strong and athletic wing has smooth game, pure stroke from outside. |
| 25 | PJ Hairston | 6-5 | SF/SG | Dudley (NC) | Swingman uses his athleticism, frame and range to score in bunches. |
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