Figured we could maybe pick this back up a little and provide some thoughts, opinions, and predictions as to guys in the 2013 class. with that said here is a list of guys who we are in on, feel free to add to the list because im sure i will miss something.
(info provided via espn)
Committs
Travon Landry #39 PG 3* Grade-89
Strengths:
Landry is a pass first point guard that knows how to run a team and is an extension of the head coach on the floor. He is more concerned about winning than stats, but has shown the ability to take over a game when his team needs him. He has a high basketball I.Q. on both sides of the ball and dictates tempo with his ball pressure. He is a threat to knock down an open 3-ball and has speed and ball quickness to get into the paint at will.
Weaknesses:
Although Landry has shown he can shoot it when open he will need to develop his consistency on his 3 point shot; because of his ball quickness defenders often sag in order to contain his penetration and he will need to make them pay when he gets to the college level.
Bottom Line:
Tennessee got themselves a tough hard-nosed competitor that has a great work ethic and loves to compete. His defensive abilities may be more advanced than his offensive prowess at the moment, but he possesses a second gear with the ball that should give him the chance to be very effective scoring the ball when needed.
Prospects
Nick King #3 SF #10 overall 5* Grade-97
Strengths:
After a tough high school sophomore campaign that made onlookers question his ability to rise to the next level, King has burst upon the national scene in July (2011) and made believers of everyone. A smooth lefty who can stroke the jumper and has become a dual threat finishing at the rim, drawing contact and knocking down foul shots at an 80% clip. King has a solid mid-range jumper and is long and determined off the dribble.
Weaknesses:
He has a tendency to disappear in games and is prone to foul trouble as he goes hard off the glass for rebounds. King is slight of body but it doesn't seem to effect his aggressiveness or ability to attack the bucket. He would benefit from added strength from the simple fact he could do more off the bounce and not rely on the outside shot as heavily.
Bottom Line:
He remains thin but his toughness is no longer in question and as he continues to improve his skills and range he could see some time in the backcourt. Active defender and a nice interior offensive threat define this rising Memphis native. Nice player who will be one of the best in the city by next season.
Allerick Freeman#3 SG#14 overall 5* Grade-97
Strengths:
Allerik is one of the more unique players in the Class of 2013. He can play the 2 or the 3. He has the ability to create as a passer. He possesses an exceptionally strong upper body and can best be described as a power wing player. He plays like he's rolling down a hill.
Weaknesses:
As he progresses it will be important to define what position he actually plays in college. His ballhandling is an issue that needs to be addressed. Also, his jumpshot tends to flatten out and he needs to become a better 3-point shooter.
Bottom Line:
There's no denying that Freeman is an absolute weapon. He's a skilled scorer and facilitator and his body is ready right now to play in college. He's best described as a Marquette-type wing player.
Chris Kent SG 5*
Summary
scout)
You would be hard pressed to find a better scorer in the 2013 class. Chris Thomas is wired up to score points and to do it in a hurry. He has the ability to score from all three levels and seems to always be in attack mode. He'll need to get stronger and continue to develop his knowledge of the game, but his ability to put up points is something that sticks out.
Jimmie Taylor #3 C #20 Overall 4* Grade-95
Strengths:
Taylor is a long athletic shot blocker that challenges everything. He is a high energy runner/jumper that has a great motor for a young post player and he rebounds the ball with an attitude. He runs the floor like a deer which puts a lot of pressure on his opponent in transition. He does a good job of setting himself up for with low post positioning for his go to move offensively which is a jump hook over his left shoulder.
Weaknesses:
Taylor, like most young post players, needs to improve his strength in order to take the physical pounding at the high major level. He is also needs to develop some counters in the low post to his jump hook, but he has a good work ethic and time is on his side.
Bottom Line:
Taylor will be one of the most sought after posts in the 2013 class. He is still just scratching the surface of how good he can be, but he is a solid character kid with tremendous upside that seems to love the game.
Johnathan Williams lll #5 PF #24 Overall 4* Grade-95
Strengths:
Williams is a rare combination of length and skill that reminds many of a young Lamar Odom. At 6'7 and left-handed, Williams possesses a tremendous handle and feel for the game. Like Odom, Williams could be considered a point forward that can initiate offense or take the ball off the glass and lead the break. His energy and constant activity on both ends of the floor is a thing of beauty. He is more than capable of breaking down his defender in a one-on-one situation to create a shot for himself. Once he has his defender on his heals he has a nice step-back jump shot from behind the arc. Williams is a competitor who handles adversity well and keeps his cool in games.
Weaknesses:
A more consistent stroke from three will enhance his overall game because of his ability to handle the ball. Although he plays the game on the perimeter, Williams needs to develop some type of game around the rim in order to take advantage of mis-matches when smaller defenders are assigned to him because of his ability on the floor. Injuries seem to curtail him from being the best he can be. He is slight built and gets knocked around in the post from time to time. Adding strength to his frame would be a major plus for his development.
Bottom Line:
When he is healthy his production level is phenominal, as seen by his being named to the USA U16 squad this past summer (2011). He struggles with nagging injuries that keep him sidelined for periods of time. Williams is ultra capable with his length and skill level. He can score inside with quickness and his ability to use both hands and will step out and knock down the jumper if left open. He runs the floor and can lead the break with his handles or make the correct pass, once his strength catches up he could be a pro.
Solomon Poole #7 PG #27 Overall 4*
Summary
scout)
Right now Poole is someone who plays on the ball, but his first instinct is to really score. His athleticism is impressive, and is as quick as any player with the ball in his hands. Poole is also just someone who has that knack for being able to score. He does need to get better in terms of making others better, but the talent with him is simply tantalizing.
Kennedy Meeks #4 C #33 Overall 4* Grade-94
Strengths:
Meeks has superb hands which he uses to corral rebounds. He's an excellent outlet passer and can be a good trigger man on the break. His feet are almost equally impressive. Meeks stays on balance and has legitimate post moves and touch around the basket. Every now and then he'll knock down a jumper. As a big man, he's an excellent passer capable of playing in the high post and initiating offense or dropping dimes to cutters. Very coachable and he's regarded as a team guy.
Weaknesses:
He's not a center who plays above the rim. He's typically an area player who is anchored in the paint. His body is a work in progress and he's got to watch his conditioning and weight though he's made improvements each year in both areas.
Bottom Line:
The goal is for him to eventually develop a dominant game and be a primary post option. He's more than capable and should be a lock high-major option. He's one of the top post prospects from the state of North Carolina in the past five seasons. Expect Meeks to get better every season.
Moses Kingsley #5 C #34 Overall 4* Grade-94
Strengths:
This young man is a competitive sort inside the lane. You have to respect his motor and the tenacity with which he approaches the game. He's got sneaky length and seems to unwind as he goes to the rim. He's a very good prospect right now with the tools to improve. He's a dedicated rebounder and instinctive shot blocker.
Weaknesses:
Maybe the most important aspect of his development will come in the area of feel for the game. He strikes us a player who needs reps in game situations to tweak his learning curve.
Bottom Line:
A spirited player, Kingsley is a must-see for the high-level schools because of his size and physicality.
Sindarius Thornwell #13 SG #48 Overall 4* Grade-94
Strengths:
A point forward prospect that has great upside. He has spectacular court vision combined with a high level of athleticism. He is shifty with the ball inside the arc splitting defenders and finishing with either hand at the rim or feeding the open man. Standing at 6'5 he can look over the defense pinpointing his pass or shooting a floater he likes going to.
Weaknesses:
He still needs to improve his jumper, it has a sideward rotation and inconsistent release at this point. As his elbow gets under the ball more, it will straighten out his shot. Sometimes he gets lazy and loses focus.
Bottom Line:
His drive game, passing ability, and versatility make Thornwell a top prospect in the 2013 class in South Carolina and a high-major talent.
Brandon Austin #14SF 4* Grade-93
Strengths:
Austin has a very good handle with a killer cross over. He is a very good slasher and penetrator. He is an able passer and can be very effective as a "point forward" with the offense running through him.
Weaknesses:
Austin is a streaky shooter with range on his shot to 20 feet. Brandon is extremely thin and long but has some toughness. He will need to improve his body over time but his skill level is what catches your attention. Defensively he needs a lot of improvement but he has length and athletic ability so he only needs to improve his effort in order to be a solid defender.
Bottom Line:
Brandon is an ultra skilled combo wing who can conceivably play all 3 perimeter positions.
Austin Nichols #15 SF 4* Grade-92
Strengths:
Fundamentally sound big man who keeps the ball high on the block and off the boards, he can score with his back to the basket, runs the floor very well and can knock down a short jumper.
Weaknesses:
Seems to be a trend of thin post/wing players in the Memphis area. Nichols is sound fundamentally but he has narrow shoulders and needs upper body strength badly to compete on the interior on the next level.
Bottom Line:
Nichols is a hard worker who has excellent footwork and passing skills out of the post.
Devin Williams #15 PF 4* Grade-92
Strengths:
Devin scores in the low post and out to 12 feet. He can score some over his left shoulder but is very good at putting the ball on the floor from the midpost and getting to the basket. He has solid quickness which allows him to beat most post players to the cup off the bounce. He is a good rebounder and is comfortable handling the ball a little after snaring the rebound. He uses his strong frame to wall off his opponent and uses his athletic ability and strong hands on the boards to garner rebounds.
Weaknesses:
He has decent post moves already but mostly scores facing the basket. Devin is just an average basketball athlete. He needs to improve his skill level, his footwork, shooting range and his dedication to defense.
Bottom Line:
Devin is a strong post prospect. He is a competitve kid and will be a priority in the midwest if he continues to develop.
Desmond Ringer #13 C #100 Overall 4*
Strengths:
Ringer is a big strong athlete that has excellent feet and hands for a young developing post player. His game is not flashy, but subtle. The more you watch him play you like him. He has a good feel in the low post and is patient offensively after the catch; he is starting to blossom offensively. He is an aggressive rebounder on both ends of the floor and knows how to use his size and strength to his advantage defensively.
Weaknesses:
As a younger post that was more physically mature than the majority of his competition he was able to get away with some bad habits and still be successful, but he has quickly adjusted is still developing as a young post player.
Bottom Line:
Although he recently suffered a torn ACL that may sideline him for an extended time, Ringer is still considered one of the top 2013 prospects in Georgia's 2013 class. As he works to recover from his injury the high majors will be tracking his progress closely.
Robert Hubbs #17 SG 4*
Strengths:
Hubbs is an incredible athlete who is just starting to realize how good he can be on the hardwood. He can score the ball and always tries to excite the homefolks with some acrobatic antics in the air.
Weaknesses:
Athleticism is not in question but strength and the ability to grasp the lead guard spot will be his growth expierence. He has the skills and despite being asked to score, he has the capability to get everyone involved. Decision-making will bring him into another level.
Bottom Line:
This athletic combo guard has drawn the attention of many in the SEC and the Southeast and has garnered a number of offers.
Markell Crawford #23 SG 3* Grade-91
Strengths:
Crawford is a long, athletic and confident shooting guard that has good strength for his size and can knock down 3 points jumpers with his smooth stroke on the move off the catch mostly with great accuracy. He has good shot prep and is ready to pull the trigger on the catch most of the time. He sprints the floor, comes off screen or spaces on the side of dribble penetration in order to get off his shot in addition to having the size to shoot over smaller defenders with ease as well. Crawford will also not hesitate to post smaller guards. Crawford has the size and athletic ability to defend both wings positions. He also did a nice job of communicating with teammates on both ends of the floor.
Weaknesses:
Crawford will need to continue to build his game in the areas of making plays off the dribble. He will need to rybecome a better north south driver and slasher in addition to be more of a factor on the glass given his physical gifts. Crawford will need to put more of a value on the ball when feeding the post and learn to recognize when to take over the game with his shooting in which he is very capable.
Bottom Line:
Crawford brings great size and shot making ability mostly off the catch with range beyond the arc. He will need to continue to build his perimeter skills to take his game to the next level.
Shacore Edwards #23 SG 3* Grade-91
Strengths:
Edwards is a strong and athletic swingman with a high motor. He plays with an aggressive scoring mentality and puts opposing defenses on their heels from the first moment of the game. He is relentless attacking the rim, both in the open floor and the quarter court, and has a long (and relatively quick) first step, the physical strength to play through contact, and good dexterity finishing around the rim. He can rise up for a mid-range pull-up whenever the lane gets closed off and also has the tools to be a good defender.
Weaknesses:
Edwards is such an aggressive scorer that sometimes it can come at his teammates' expense. He tends to hunt shots, doesn't yet know how to play without the ball, and needs to develop a better understanding of the game. He also needs to become more skilled on the perimeter as he isn't yet consistent making decisions against pressure and also not a particularly good shooter. Defensively, he is talented but still very raw and often caught out of position or watching the ball from the weak side of the floor.
Bottom Line:
Edwards is a power guard and high level athlete who scores the ball in high volume by attacking the defense and making good use of his physical gifts. He needs to improve his perimeter skill set and develop his understanding of the game on both ends.
Alex Foster #25 PF 3* Grade-91
Strengths:
This long and athletic forward has a good basketball body for such a young player. He slithers between defenders for nice finishes or drawing fouls. Foster also displayed the ability to rebound with authority in a crowd. He runs the floor very well and is quick to the ball. Foster has developing good hands and makes plays with his consistent effort.
Weaknesses:
He has a funny release on his shot especially from the free throw line. His form is not bad but he releases his guide hand too soon which at times moves his shot off line. This young lefty is raw and must continue to work to develop his overall skills and at times seems to still finding his way but the talent and potential are very evident.
Bottom Line:
Alex is a lefty post player that is smooth and talented. He is a little raw right now but is developing a face-up basket game. He has range on his shot right now to 15 feet. He is long and athletic and is very good transition. Tremendous amount of upside.
Duane Wilson #25 PG 3* Grade-91
Strengths:
Duane is a solid combo guard. He can play either guard spot but may be best as a shooting guard right now. He is a good shooter with range to 20 feet. He has a solid, quick release. He uses his dribble to free himself for shots. He can be streaky but can take over games and score points in bunches. He is a solid passer and has a solid basketball IQ.
Weaknesses:
As a point guard he is decent. He looks to score first and needs to work on his decision making as a point guard.
Bottom Line:
Wilson is an above average basketball athlete with a great upside.
Harold Givens #30 SF 3* Grade-90
Strengths:
Harold is a developing wing that is good now and has a huge upside as he continues to improve. He possesses high level athletism. Originally from New Orleans, Givens exploded at the event (Pangos All South Camp) in his first game as he displayed his full package of skills and athleticism.
Weaknesses:
He is a streaky shooter with range to 20 feet.
Bottom Line:
Imagine what a basketball player looks like. Long, tall and athletic with sinewy muscles. That is Harold Givens. Expect to see and hear more from this developing stud in the future.