SLAM Fresh 10 – 2015

by Franklyn Calle / @FrankieC7

After releasing our mid-season rankings for the Class of 2013 and 2014 last week, this class just has a different feel to it, but in a good way. Relatively speaking, it features a very intriguing group of guys that, quite frankly, ranking a top-10 at this point is quite hard because there is a whole lot of players who didn’t make this list that could be made a case for.

There are guys like Victor Dukes, who isn’t even ranked by anyone, that is probably more known at this point than the names on this list after that ridiculous dunk he threw down that made him an overnight internet sensation earlier in the month—for a couple of days at least. After Karl Town Jr  reclassified one grade up to the junior Class of 2014 in November, the top spot in the Class of 2015 was up for grabs. Mississippi’s Malik Newman has not lost a single step to his game from his impressive rookie season performance. The 6-3 guard has already dropped 30+ points in six games so far at the midway point of this season.

Two of the top-10 players on this list, Aaron Holiday and Marcus LoVett, both of Southern California, went head-to-head just a couple weeks back in a classic performance; Lovett finished with 47 points, while Holiday (younger brother of 76ers Jrue Holiday) put up 40 points of his own and secured the win. Lovett, simply put, has a knack for scoring. As of 10 days ago, Lovett was averaging 39 points per game. He averaged around 33 points his freshman season and has drawn some Brandon Jennings comparisons—also a native of Los Angeles. If you’re a sophomore averaging 40 points a night, it doesn’t matter the level, you can flat out ball. Therefore LoVett has earned his way up a couple of slots in the rankings. Let’s just say you’ll be hearing lots more about both in years to come.

RANK PLAYER HT POS SCHOOL WHY?
1 Malik Newman 6-3 SG Callaway (MS) After leading his team to the class 5A state title, he’s been averaging over 22 points and looks poised for a repeat.
2 Marcus LoVett Jr 5-11 PG Providence (CA) After hitting the 1,000-point mark his freshman year, LoVett hasn’t slowed down much.
3 Diamond Stone 6-9 C Dominican (WI) His 13.4 points helped Dominican to a 27-1 season and the Division 4 state title.
4 King McClure 6-3 SG Triple A (TX) Put up close to 23 points and 5 rebounds per outing as a frosh, earning him Dallas Morning Newcomer of the Year.
5 Mickey Mitchell 6-7 SF Prestonwood (TX) Helped Julius Randle capture the state title, averaging 10 points and 5 rebounds.
6 Ivan Rabb 6-8 PF Bishop O’Dowd (CA) Explosive with soft touch around the rim. Good summer with Oakland Soldiers.
7 Tyler Dorsey 6-4 SG St. John Bosco (CA) Very versatile prospect; averaged 22.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists as a frosh.
8 Stephen Zimmerman 6-10 C Bishop Gorman (NV) Has taken over the reigns at Gorman for Shabazz Muhammad.
9 Charles Matthews 6-4 SG St. Rita (IL) Slick wing who does a great job deluding defenders.
10 Aaron Holiday 6-1 SG Campbell Hall (CA) Another of California’s top young point guards looking to follow in his brother’s footsteps.