The class of 2018 is very talented and filled with players with long term upside.  My question is who is the top player in the country and who has the best long term upside.  Marvin Bagley, EJ Montgomery, D’marco Baucum, Jordan Brown, Nazereion Reid, and others come to mind when discussing this. What do you think?

You provided an excellent list of bigs but there are several guards deserving of recognition as well in 2018 class. As of now, I give the overall edge to Bagley III, both in terms of potential and production. That said, few players have done more for themselves in the current 8th grade group during the last year than Cameron Reddish and Cassius Stanley.

Cam Reddish is 6’4 right now and is a true Point Guard with a slick handle and soaking wet jumpshot

Big: Marvin Bagley, PF: Gavin Schoewald, SF: Cameron Johnson, CG: Darius Garland, PG: Alex Jones
All “5” will be starting at their respective high schools next year as Frosh. All 2018 list must include these “5” ballers!!!

Spencer Pulliam - 27 January 2014 06:21 PM

You provided an excellent list of bigs but there are several guards deserving of recognition as well in 2018 class. As of now, I give the overall edge to Bagley III, both in terms of potential and production. That said, few players have done more for themselves in the current 8th grade group during the last year than Cameron Reddish and Cassius Stanley.

Yes, how could I forgot! Good job as always, Mr. Pulliam!

Small PG Bashir Issack is dominating at Ben Franklin Middle school. His coach tells us he’s averaging 18.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 8.4 apg, and 4.1 spg. Bashir Issack is a top prospect in the class of 2019.

Sebastian1 - 27 January 2014 07:34 PM

Big: Marvin Bagley, PF: Gavin Schoewald, SF: Cameron Johnson, CG: Darius Garland, PG: Alex Jones
All “5” will be starting at their respective high schools next year as Frosh. All 2018 list must include these “5” ballers!!!

W.A.C.G. All-Stars is a dominant group. I’m looking forward to seeing how their entire roster has progressed throughout the winter. The travel circuit will be in full swing again very soon. Stay tuned!

@Issack - 28 January 2014 07:57 PM

Small PG Bashir Issack is dominating at Ben Franklin Middle school. His coach tells us he’s averaging 18.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 8.4 apg, and 4.1 spg. Bashir Issack is a top prospect in the class of 2019.

Our team will keep an eye out! Be sure to get to an event soon! http://future150.com/jr/camps/

How many of the top players in each class have reclassified? If I go to a tournament it is nothing but teams with players who should be grade higher then they are.

Bandwagon1 - 15 February 2014 06:05 PM

How many of the top players in each class have reclassified? If I go to a tournament it is nothing but teams with players who should be grade higher then they are.

That’s a vague complaint and that also isn’t always the case.

However, I’ve long said I’d prefer prospects to compete by the year they are born (ex- ‘99 division, ‘00 division, etc).

I think eventually that change will come but it will require action from a major grassroots organization such as AAU to adopt the change in order to make it universally accepted.

When you list the top players for the class of 2018 put their date of birth with the ranking. How many of the top 10 were born in 2000?

Bandwagon1 - 17 February 2014 07:40 PM

When you list the top players for the class of 2018 put their date of birth with the ranking. How many of the top 10 were born in 2000?

We won’t ever share a child’s DOB publicly. It is taken into account with the overall evaluation, however.

The 2018 class rankings have not been updated recently, but Sept 1999 and younger DOBs qualify as status quo when compared to other peers that are not playing sports. About 60% of the current top 25 in 2017 will be eligible (Jan 1 ‘99 or younger) for the upcoming USA Basketball U16 Mini-Camp in October 2014.

I think it’s pretty clear our staff takes the ‘grade exception factor’ into account.

How about we move on to something relevant?

The title of this thread is, ‘Top Prospect in 2018 and Long Term Upside’.

I still think that Marvin Bagley III has the most long-term upside of any prospect I’ve seen in the class but several are giving chase.

Luther Muhammad locked Cam Reddish up when they played each other.

Luther Muhammad locked Cam Reddish up when they played each other.

Lebronjames - 10 March 2014 08:40 AM

Luther Muhammad locked Cam Reddish up when they played each other.

Oh you mean at the Bballspotlight Grand Finale.  Yeah Luther Muhammad did a great job on Reddish, he really made things tough. Though, Cameron Reddish has gotten A LOT better since August!

Ok, Just got back from Missouri and checked out Courtney Ramey… Legit!!!! He is the real deal.. Very smooth.  Also found some other future phenoms.  Torrence Watson, about 6’2 SF and very athletic.  Good from the wing and very strong aggressive rebounder. Another name…..... not on the RADAR yet is Jericole Hellems. 6’4 athletic stretch 4 who can play every position on the floor.  A must see player that will be on everyone’s list very soon. Also, found a great shooter - RJ Wright.  He is only 5’5, but extremely accurate and has to be accounted for. One of the best shooters in this class by far! Next stop, Texas!!!!