United States U18 Prospects
Read below Chris Hackett, the current Head coach of Frank Phillips College in Texas give his review of some of the top U18 prospects in the United States.
Because of the sheer number of players and the size of the USA, these are not the ten best players in the country, but the best ten that I have either had the opportunity to see in person or have knowledge of due to their location and who coaches them. However all of them are high major DI signees / NBA prospects and are all considered Top 100 players by both ESPN and Rivals.
Isaiah Austin
Information
Height: 7’0 Weight: 220lbs
Position: Centre
Hometown: Arlington, TX College Commitment: Baylor
ESPN Rank: 3 Rivals Rank: 5
Summary: The best player in Texas, possibly the country, and a legitimate NBA prospect. Runs the floor like a deer and is very mobile. A true seven footer that is extremely skilled. He creates match-up problems with his ability to outquick big defenders and shoot over smaller ones. Handles the ball well, can attack the rim off the dribble and has a nice midrange jumpshot. He is a good shotblocker, but needs more strength to improve his rebounding and inside play.
Cameron Ridley
Information
Height: 6’10 Weight: 240lbs
Position: Centre
Hometown: Fort Bend, TX College Commitment: Texas
ESPN Rank: 7 Rivals Rank: 21
Summary: A player I have seen multiple times, as I signed one of his high school teammates to play for me. Wide body, very mobile, with a developing lowpost game. Does a great job at the defensive end, taking up space, blocking shots and rebounding. Needs to improve his stamina and touch around the basket, but improving all the time.
Danuel House
Information
Height: 6’6 Weight: 185lbs
Position: Small Forward
Hometown: Sugar Land, TX College Commitment: Houston
ESPN Rank: 15 Rivals Rank: 15
Summary: Extremely long and athletic. Is one of the few players that can finish at the rim, has a nice midrange game and can step out and shoot the three. High basketball IQ, reads the game well and has great body control. Needs to work on going left, as he tends to stay with his dominant right hand.
Willie Cauley
Information
Height: 7’0 Weight: 220lbs
Position: Centre
Hometown: Olathe, KS College Commitment: Kentucky
ESPN Rank: 32 Rivals Rank: 39
Summary: A very long and lean player. Runs the floor very well and is extremely mobile. Good shotblocker. Has a soft touch and a nice midrange jumpshot. Needs to add weight, gain strength and develop a consistent lowpost game.
Perry Ellis
Information
Height: 6’8 Weight: 220lbs
Position: Power Forward
Hometown: Wichita, KS College Commitment: Kansas
ESPN Rank: 37 Rivals Rank: 24
Summary: A very strong forward, who already has a college body. Rebounds the ball well at both ends of the floor. Has a reliable midrange jumpshot and is more of a face-up player, who can attack the rim off the dribble. He is also an above average passer for his position. Needs to develop more consistent back-to-basket moves.
Danrad Knowles
Information
Height: 6’9 Weight: 190lbs
Position: Power Forward
Hometown: Houston, TX College Commitment: Houston
ESPN Rank: 56 Rivals Rank: 47
Summary: Another Texas kid! Will be teammates at the University of Houston with Danuel House. An athletic, but very skinny power forward. He is extremely skilled and handles the ball very well for his position. Has a good jumpshot, out to three point range. Good shotblocker and rebounder. Very active around the basket, but scores because of quickness and skill, not power. Will need to get a lot stronger to be as effective at the college level.
Joel James
Information
Height: 6’10 Weight: 250lbs
Position: Centre
Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL. College Commitment: North Carolina
ESPN Rank: 57 Rivals Rank: 61
Summary: A bigtime power player. Loves contact and is very physical inside. Extremely strong and is not afraid to use his body. Despite his size, he moves well and works hard at running the floor. Finishes inside and is a good rebounder at both ends. Needs to improve his basketball IQ, develop a more polished lowpost game and consistent midrange jumpshot.
J-Mychal Reese
Information
Height: 6’2 Weight: 170lbs
Position: Point Guard
Hometown: Bryan, TX College Commitment: Texas A&M
ESPN Rank: 54 Rivals Rank: 63
Summary: The best point guard in the state of Texas! He is a left-handed player and definitely has a scorer’s mentality! Extremely quick and does a great job getting into the lane and finishing around the basket. A very good defender and plays the ball and the passing lanes well. Has a good midrange jumpshot, but needs to improve his three point shooting and keeping his teammates involved.
Evan Nolte
Information
Height: 6’7 Weight: 200lbs
Position: Small Forward
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA College Commitment: Virginia
ESPN Rank: 71 Rivals Rank: 120
Summary: Another player that is from the same town as one of my players. One of the best shooters in the country. Has range out to 25-30 feet! Can shoot it spotting up, coming off screens and off the dribble. Very good size, but not as athletic or as mobile as most at his position. Understands the game well, but needs to improve his defense and develop a more all-around game.
Michael Frazier
Information
Height: 6’4 Weight: 180lbs
Position: Shooting Guard
Hometown: Tampa, FL College Commitment: Florida
ESPN Rank: 92 Rivals Rank: 87
Summary: Plays for Montverde Academy in Florida, one of the top prep schools in the country. A very strong player, with a thick body. Shoots the ball extremely well and has a very smooth stroke, with a quick release. Not the quickest feet, but works hard defensively. Needs to develop a midrange game and attack the basket more, as he sometimes settles for the three unnecessarily.
18.01.2012