Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Nashville, TN (Future150) -- With the reclassification of Andrew Wiggins to the class of 2013 last week, the gap between the prospects at the top of the 2014 is now extremely slim.
While a legitimate argument can be made for five or six prospects who could be the newly minted #1 prospect in the country, Future150's choice is Memphis small forward Leron Black.
The 6-foot-7 inch, 200-pound athlete is as smooth of a prospect as you will find at the high school level. The White Station High School star (TN) is a long and lean recruit with as much upside as any high schooler in the country. He is also on argubly the best AAU team in the courtry, Team Thad, too boot in the 2014 class.
He excels at running the floor for easy baskets, using his long frame to block and alter shots, and is developing his ball-handling skills to be more of threat from the the wing. The one thing that can't be match by many is how hard he plays on both ends of the floor. His mid range jumper is deadly and he is slowly improving that the 3-ball is not out of the question this coming AAU season.
One of the most consistent prospects in the country remains #2 in the rankings, Apple Valley High School (MN) star Tyus Jones. The 6'1" point guard continues to dominate wherever he goes, and that included the 2012 Nike Peach Jam, where he carried his Howard Pulley squad, showing off his scoring as well as his distributing.
#3 in the Future150 rankings is Texas point guard Emmanuel Mudiay. The 6'4" floor general is ineligible to play high school basketball this season after transfer issues, but that won't stop him from dominating the upcoming AAU season and showcasing his skills, which translate to the college game and beyond.
Checking in at #4 in the rankings is Chicago big man Cliff Alexander. The high-motor power forward prospect from Curie High School (IL) is an elite athlete who is vastly improving, especially on the offensive end of the floor. He is already a great rebounder as well as shot-blocker.
Another Windy City big man, center Jahlil Okafor, rounds out the top five. The 6'10", 280-pounder is a true low post player who utilizes his size to create space for himself on the inside. He also has very good footwork for how enormous he is.
Milwaukee Hamilton (WI) small forward Kevon Looney sits at #6 in the rankings. He is followed by New Jersey native and Montverde Academy (FL) center Dakari Johnson, who had a very good AAU season. Explosive athlete Justice Winslow out of Houston checks in at #8 nationally.
Trey Lyles continues to impress the Future150 staff, and he remains #9 in the rankings. The 6'8" power forward continues to diversify his game and has all of the top programs in the country chasing him after his decommitment from Indiana and head coach Tom Crean.
Checking in at #10 in the country is the best player on the west coast, Stanley Johnson. The 6'6" swingman already has a pro body and he uses it to his advantage when attacking the basket. He also possesses a picture-perfect jump shot, which is consistent from anywhere on the floor.
Jalen Lindsey, a 6'6" small forward out of Tennessee, rises up to #24 in the rankings. He is an excellent athlete who is a knock-down jump shooter out to three-point range. Look for him to continue to rise with a strong high school season.
Effingham County High School (GA) power forward JaKeenan Gant rises to #26 in the rankings. Louisiana shooting guard Dominic Magee, the 6'4" point guard from Helen Cox High School (LA), now finds himself inside the top 40, sitting at #35.
Omar Sherman, a 6'6" forward from Texas, enters the rankings at #61, and Future150 will continue to keep a close eye on him throughout the coming year. Bouncy power forward Abdul-Malik Abu from Massachusetts continues to improve, and it shows in our latest rankings, sitting at #70.
Entering the rankings at #87 is Rob Marberry of Nashville, Tennessee. The 6'7" power forward dominated Future150 camps this fall in Atlanta as well as our National Camp in his home city of Nashville. Several high major schools are currently hot on his trail, including Vanderbilt.
Alabama power forward William Lee also became a national name after a big summer. The 6'8" big man has a ton of upside and is developing nicely. Right now, he is checks in at #95.
A few other prospects burst onto the national scene during our camp series this fall. Cuyler "Stuckey" Mosley from Timber Creek High School (FL) was one of them.
The 6'3" shooting guard has dramatically improved since we first saw him in July. The southpaw is one of the finest shooters in the country, and he loves to slash to the basket when crowded by the defense. Right now, he checks in at #101. However, don't be surprised if he continues to climb the rankings.
Another Alabama native, Shades Valley High School shooting guard Cortlin Davis, enters the rankings at #145. The 6'3" prospect's game has grown in leaps and bounds over the past year, and he will be an extremely sought-after recruit very soon.
He is an excellent athlete, solid rebounder, and is extremely talented when it comes to attacking the rim and finishing in traffic.
Two Future150 Main Event Tournaments for the upcoming spring have been announced for March 29-31, 2013 in Houston, TX and April 5-7, 2013 in Birmingham, AL. Age Groups 12U-17U. Call Jason Pratt at 312-953-9130 to reserve your spot.
Comments:
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