Jason Pratt:
Future150 Senior Recruiting Analyst. Covering high school basketball nationally.
Birmingham, AL (Future150) -- After the first live period has ended and the dust has settled, Future150 takes a look at the updated rankings for the 2013 class. Jabari Parker is the new No. 1 player in the country, according to Future150. With 15 points and seven rebounds a game for the Mac Irvin Fire on the AAU circuit, Parker has distanced himself between the rest of the 2013 pack.
The Chicago star has a very matured game for his age, and there is no doubt he is ready for the next level -- right now. Parker has the advantage of playing on the perimeter or in the post, and he can do both with success.
Dropping to No. 2 is none other than Chris Walker. The 6-foot-9 star’s biggest asset at the moment is his athleticism, but he also possesses a great game. Said to be the next Kevin Durant, Walker is a long forward who excels in transition. Despite his size, he can also relocate to the perimeter to stretch the defense.
Following Walker is one of Texas’ finest, Julius Randle. Randle is one of the more physical post players in the class and his motor runs very high at all times. While he has the ability to score, Randle’s tough defense and rebounding skills make him stick out. He causes many mismatches in the post, leading to easy buckets off the dribble.
Aaron Gordon, another talented combo forward, checks in at No. 4. Gordon has scored with ease for the past few years, and his offense is only getting better. He frequently finishes in transition with dazzling dunks, making him one of the fan favorites for this class. Nevertheless, he also owns a nice half-court game, headlined with taking advantage of smaller defenders in the post. He also has the ability to shoot the three-ball.
Rounding out the top five is one of the biggest jumpers in the rankings, James Young. After an outstanding spring, many people have shifted their focus towards this “newcomer” if you will. Throughout the past few weeks, Young has wowed crowds of people in the Nike EYBL pool games with his uncanny ability to score the basketball. The southpaw finds ways to get to the basket, and he also has a consistent, reliable shot in his arsenal.
Following at No. 6 is another talented wing man from the West Coast, Jabari Bird. Future North Carolina player Isaiah Hicks is right behind Bird, and Aaron Harrison – Andrews’s twin brother – is ranked No. 8. Rounding out the top ten are two very exciting players who play with different strengths. BeeJay Anya’s outstanding shot-blocking ability and his ability to change the game on the defensive side of the floor earn him a spot at No. 9.
Kasey Hill rounds out the top 10 and is the most flashy point guard to this point. He will make Florida Gator fans very happy under the watch of Billy Donovan.
A few players have made serious jumps in the rankings. Jermaine Lawrence has played with a renewed focus, and comes in at No. 28 from No. 78. Jordan Mickey makes a large jump as well from No. 68 to 34. Akoy Agau makes his big debut in the rankings at No. 62 after being previously unranked. Austin Nichols, Marcus Lee, Jamonte Davis and Jarquez Smith all had very strong Spring seasons as well -- and each made double digit jumps in the rankings.
Ricky Seals-Jones (No. 63), Reggie Cameron (No. 70), Kendall Harris (No. 88), Hallice Cooke (No. 94), Colin Hartman (No. 103), Goodluck Okonobo (No. 106), Demarcus Croaker (No. 110), J.J. Frazier (No. 114), E.C. Matthews (No. 117), Jaylon Tate (No. 138) all make their debut in the rankings as well after impressing our analysts over the live period and rest of the spring. All of these players are deserving of their rank and have worked exceedingly hard in order to get here.
With the inclusion of so many new players, and players making dramatic moves in the rankings, some players saw themselves drop. Most notably is Derek Willis. The Kentucky commit dropped from No. 22 to 64. Shooting guard Darryl Hicks dropped from No. 74 to 117 as he has struggled with his shot as of late; which was one of his assets the last time we saw him.
While this will be our last rankings update before the end of the July live periods, we can’t stress how much time is left for shifts to occur. Will Chris Walker be able to regain the top spot in the class or will Jabari Parker run away with it? Could one of our newly ranked players make a Mitch McGary-esque rise to the top of the rankings? There are many questions left -- and this summer should bring some answers.
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