Introducing the senior class is exciting every year, but when it’s one of those “super” classes—you know, the ones touted as the best in years—it makes it much more special.
The Class of 2016 has been highly regarded for years, with many comparing it to the Class of 2013 (Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle, etc.) and Class of 2007 (Derrick Rose, James Harden, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, etc.). And the praises are all well-deserved.
The top-three players could make a case for the No. 1 slot in the senior rankings as well as in the 2017 NBA Draft. Then you have some jaw-dropping explosive guards in Dennis Smith and Malik Monk. It’s not far-fetched at all to say that the top-15 players in this class all have the makings to be future lottery picks.
Check out the list below, which will be updated twice more throughout the season and expanded to 75 in the spring.
|
Rank
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Ht.
|
School
|
Why?
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harry Giles | PF | 6-10 | Oak Hill (VA) | Still the most dominant big in the nation. |
| 2 | Jayson Tatum | SF | 6-8 | Chaminade (MO) | (Duke-commit) Most versatile swingman in the land. |
| 3 | Josh Jackson | SF | 6-7 | Prolific (CA) | Arguably the top scorer in the country. |
| 4 | Dennis Smith Jr | PG | 6-2 | Trinity Christian (NC) | (NC State-commit) Most explosive guard in America. |
| 5 | Malik Monk | SG | 6-4 | Bentonville (AR) | The most talented pure 2-guard in the class. |
| 6 | De’Aaron Fox | PG | 6-3 | Cypress Lakes (TX) | Elite prototypical point guard. |
| 7 | Edrice Adebayo | PF | 6-10 | High Point Christian (NC) | Possesses an NBA-ready physique and loves playing above the rim. |
| 8 | Miles Bridges | SF | 6-6 | Huntington Prep (WV) | Explosive and sturdy lefty wing. |
| 9 | Lonzo Ball | PG | 6-5 | Chino Hills (CA) | (UCLA-commit) Carries out the role of a point guard as well as anyone. |
| 10 | Rawle Alkins | SG | 6-5 | Word of God (NC) | Fresh off one of the top performances in the summer youth circuit. |
| 11 | Terrance Ferguson | SG | 6-6 | Advanced Prep (TX) | (Alabama-commit) Versatile wing who can fly just as impressively as when he lets the ball fly from distance. |
| 12 | Jonathan Isaac | PF | 6-9 | IMG Academy (FL) | (Florida State-commit) Athletic big with a nice touch around the rim and from mid-range. |
| 13 | Frank Jackson | PG | 6-3 | Lone Peak (UT) | (Duke-commit) High IQ guard who can shoot it or take it in on anyone. |
| 14 | Markelle Fultz | PG | 6-4 | DeMatha (MD) | (Washington-commit) Combo guard that can create and score with the best of them. |
| 15 | TJ Leaf | PF | 6-10 | Foothills Christian (CA) | Explosive and lengthy big who moves well with the ball. |
| 16 | Joshua Langford | SG | 6-5 | Madison Academy (AL) | (Michigan State-commit) Excel from behind the perimeter and when playing through contact. |
| 17 | Marques Bolden | C | 6-10 | DeSoto (TX) | Great on the post and on the boards. |
| 18 | Kobi Simmons | PG | 6-5 | St. Francis (GA) | Long, nimble guard who’s assertive on both ends of the floor. |
| 19 | Omari Spellman | PF | 6-9 | MacDuffie School (MA) | (Villanova-commit) Strong, powerful big who can step out. |
| 20 | Jarrett Allen | PF | 6-9 | St. Stephens Episcopal (TX) | Soft touch around the paint and active on the glass. |
| 21 | Wenyen Gabriel | PF | 6-9 | Wilbraham & Monson (MA) | Blew up this summer after showcasing tremendous upside. |
| 22 | Dewan Huell | PF | 6-9 | Miami Norland (FL) | Lengthy, athletic forward with great mobility on both ends. |
| 23 | Mustapha Heron | SG | 6-5 | Sacred Heart (CT) | (Auburn-commit) Bulky guard who’s always in attack mode. |
| 24 | Udoka Azubuike | C | 6-11 | Potter’s House (FL) | Tough, powerful big who loves muscling his way around the basket and playing above the rim. |
| 25 | VJ King | SF | 6-7 | Paul VI (VA) | (Louisville-commit) Versatile wing and exceptional shooter. |
| 26 | Tony Bradley | PF | 6-10 | Bartow (FL) | (UNC-commit) Impressive shot-blocker and working on the low block. |
| 27 | Cassius Winston | PG | 6-0 | University of Detroit Jesuit (MI) | Great basketball IQ, shooting abilities and all-around knack for scoring. |
| 28 | Sacha Killeya-Jones | PF | 6-10 | Virginia Episcopal (VA) | (Kentucky-commit) Impressive soft touch and mid-range game. |
| 29 | Alterique Gilbert | PG | 6-0 | Miller Grove (GA) | (UConn-commit) Assertive scorer who can get on the board in every kind of way. |
| 30 | Tyus Battle | SG | 6-6 | St. Joseph (NJ) | (Syracuse-commit) Renowned for his terrific perimeter game. |
| 31 | Mario Kegler | SF | 6-7 | Oak Hill (VA) | Your ideal wing who can do it from the arc or in the post. |
| 32 | Juwan Durham | PF | 6-10 | Tampa Prep (FL) | (UConn-commit) Agile big with great motor on the defensive end. |
| 33 | Kyle Guy | PG | 6-2 | Lawrence Central (IN) | (Virginia-commit) Terrific shooter with high basketball IQ. |
| 34 | Andrew Jones | SG | 6-4 | MacArthur (TX) | Explosive off the dribble and high-flyer. |
| 35 | Bruce Brown | SG | 6-4 | Vermont Academy (VT) | Strong guard who can score in a variety of ways. |
| 36 | De’Ron Davis | PF | 6-9 | Overland (CO) | Skilled post player who can step out and sink it from 15-18 feet away. |
| 37 | Shomarie Ponds | PG | 6-0 | Thomas Jefferson (NY) | Explosive and crafty guard. |
| 38 | Nick Ward | PF | 6-9 | Gahanna Lincoln (OH) | (Michigan State-commit) Impressive low-block player. |
| 39 | Javin DeLaurier | PF | 6-9 | St. Anne’s-Belfield (VA) | Superior athlete who can do damage in the post. |
| 40 | Amir Coffey | SF | 6-7 | Hopkins (MN) | (Minnesota-commit) Shooter with high basketball IQ. |
| 41 | Kameron McGusty | SG | 6-5 | Seven Lakes (TX) | (Oklahoma-commit) Versatile scorer. |
| 42 | Seventh Woods | PG | 6-1 | Hammond (SC) | Explosive guard with awing athleticism and much upside. |
| 43 | Justin Jackson | SF | 6-7 | Findlay Prep (NV) | (UNLV-commit) Nice mid-range game in his repertoire to accompany physical gifts. |
| 44 | Jaylen Fisher | PG | 6-2 | Bolton (TN) | Great scorer off the dribble. |
| 45 | Zach Collins | C | 6-11 | Bishop Gorman (NV) | (Gonzaga-commit) Has the size and tools to contribute at the next level. |
| 46 | Payton Pritchard | PG | 6-1 | West Linn (OR) | (Oregon-commit) Elusive guard with great motor. |
| 47 | Matthew Moyer | PF | 6-8 | South Kent (CT) | (Syracuse-commit) Quick, tenacious big who can put the ball on the floor. |
| 48 | Tony Carr | PG | 6-4 | Roman Catholic (PA) | (Penn State-commit) Fast, crafty ball-handler who can create with the best of them. |
| 49 | Schnider Herard | C | 6-10 | Prestonwood Christian (TX) | High-ceiling prospect on the rise. |
| 50 | DeJon Jarreau | SG | 6-5 | McDonogh 35 (LA) | Combo guard who excels off the dribble. |
(Photo credit: Jon Lopez, Nike)
