GreatLakeState
Mentor
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2005
- Messages
- 1,057
As a coach/scout, here are the best Caucasian players in the
current high school ranks, focusing on the rising seniors, based
largely on spring AAU/travel ball leading into the summer camp
season, unless I haven't seen them , then on rep ...
2006:
1. Spencer Hawes 6-11 C Seatte Prep
The Pacific Northwest has turned out a number of white stars
recently, like Luke Ridnour, Luke Jackson, Jon Brockman,
Adam Morrison, Dan Dickau. Hawes looks like the best post
player in recent vintage. What I like best about him is he's not
passive like a lot of young big men, but aggressive, active and
vocal. Triggers the break as well as anyone, and can run to
catch up and finish it, too. Being recruited by all the big boys,
like UNC, Kansas, Arizona, Duke, UConn.
2. Isaiah Dahlman 6-7 WF Braham (Minn.)
Compared to Jalen Rose because he's a skinny lefty who can
create his own shot. Braham hasn't lost a game in over two
seasons with Dahlman in the lineup. Hard-nosed kid who could
be a college star once he adds strength. Will likely go to
Minnesota or Michigan State.
3. Tom HerNWO 7-0 C Flint (Mich.) Powers
Fast big man who can change ends. It's no stretch to say he's
the best shot blocker in the country, and this is after seeing him
go head-to-head with the likes of ESPN's next anointed one,
Greg Oden from Indianapolis. All HerNWO lacks is strength and
weight. 4.0 student.
4. Jon Scheyer 6-5 PG Northbrook (Ill.) Glenbrook North
Chicago-area players are often overrated, but Scheyer's pretty
good. Like Glenbrook North to a state title as a junior. Might not
star at the next level but his skill level is so high he can fit in
right away at a place like Duke -- which leads in his recruitment
-- and contribute right off the bat. Off and on shooter, but when
he's on, he's on. Still, I like Jon's passing most of all.
5. Richard Semrau 6-9 PF Rocky River (Ohio) Lutheran West
Bruce Weber's first major recruit at Illinois. Finesse big man
with a nice shooting touch.
6. Chase Budinger 6-7 WF Carlsbad (Calif.) La Costa Canyon
With his 40-inch vertical, he's the best basketball/volleyball
two-sport prosepct since Adam Keefe in 1992. He's grown two
inches in the last year, so has true perimeter skills, able to
shoot or drive. Being recruited by national heavyweights like
Arizona, Kansas and Kentucky.
7. Brian Zoubek 7-0 CCherry Hill (NH) Haddonfield
Memorial
Big man wants to go to Duke, but should be careful because
the white finesse big men, like Laettner and Ferry, have thrived
more than the traditional white big men, like Cherokee Parks
and Erik Meek, under Coach K.
8. Josh Lomers 7-0 C Boerne (Texas)
Classic low post player who already weighs 250 pounds.
9. David Kool 6-2 2G Grand Rapids (Mich.) South Christian
Underrated. All he does is win games against more "talented"
opponents. Was the sixth man when South Christian won a
state championship in 2003, and the star when it won again in
2005. Kool's performances in the state quarterfinals, semifinals
and final were called by the Detroit Free Press the greatest
week of basketball every by a Michigan high school player.
This in the home of Magic Johnson, Chris Webber, Dave
DeBusschere, Spencer Haywood ... Will Michigan state dare
offer him a scholarship after getting another white point guard,
Drew Neitzel, from the same high school league just two years
before?
10. K'len Morris 6-5 2G Grand Blanc (Mich.)
David Kool's AAU teammate. Smooth, highly athletic wing who
can create off the dribble or finish over the rim. Morris will sign
with Michigan.
11. Jason Bohannon 6-3 PG Marion (Iowa) Linn-Mar
As good as anyone at the Spiece tournament in Ft. Wayne last
weekend. What is it with big, athletic, Iowa point guards? Kirk
Hinrich is from Iowa, too. True point guard who can also hit
often from deep.
12. Luke Harangody 6-7 PF Gary (Ind.) Andrean
Plays as an undersized center, and as such reminds me of
Larry Smith, who played some five in the NBA, at 6-7, for the
Warriors and Rockets. Smith was called Mr. Mean for a reason,
and Harangody is similar, he just goes out and kicks your ass.
13. Matt Bouldin 6-5 2G Denver ThunderRidge
Gonzaga's next star white guard? The Zags are recruiting him
heavily. Combo guard who can fill it up from behind the arc
when he wants to.
14. Devan Bawinkel 6-5 2G Winnebago (Ill.)
All-around wing athlete who has to score a ton on his small
high school team. Small wingspan hurts him defensively.
15. Daniel Deane 6-8 PF Park City (Utah) Judge Memorial
Catholic
Raw forward goes all out and produces with hustle plays. Has
offers from Kansas and Stanford.
16. James Keefe 6-8 PF Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.)
Haven't seen hiim play. Headed for UCLA.
17. J.P. Gavinski 6-10 C Wisconsin Dells (Wisc.)
Going to Wisconsin. Stereotypical Big Ten player who likes to
bang.
18. Jason Bennett 7-2 C Jacksonville (Fla.) Arlington Country
Day
He's been on the radar for years because of his sheer size.
Bennett has always been a shot blocker and now can score
some since he's grown into his body.
19. Ray Hall 7-0 C Denver Mullen
Another top Colorado kid, considered by most a lock for UCLA.
Weights 250 already, has good hands, but is a little slow.
20. Taylor Harrison 6-9 PF San Clemente (Calif.)
Headed to Cal. Athletic kid who can run the floor and play with
heart and hops on the boards.
21. John Kreft 6-10 C Parkland (Fla.) Stoneman-Douglas
22. Casey Crawford 6-8 PF Overland Park (Kansas) Blue
Valley North
23. Jordan Egleseder 6-11 C Bellevue (Iowa) Marquette
24. Nick Vier 6-1 PG Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic
25. Blake Wallace 6-7 WF Yorba LInda (Calif.) Servite
26. Kurt Huelsman 6-9 PF St. Henry (Ohio)
27. Charles Dewhurst 6-5 WF Charlotte (NC) Latin
28. Marc Larson 6-8 PF Mattawan (Mich.)
29. Chad DeCasas 6-5 2G Mission Viejo (Calif.) Capistrano
Valley
30. Matt Hill 6-10 PF Lincoln (Neb.)
2007 ...
1. Kevin Love 6-8 C Lake Oswego (Ore.)
2. Cole Aldrich 6-10 PF Bloomington (Minn). Jefferson
3. Kyle Singler 6-8 WF Medford (Ore.)
4. Taylor King 6-6 WF Sanga Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
5. Austin Thornton 6-5 PG Cedar Springs (Mich.)
6. Scott Christopherson 6-2 PG Melrose (Wisc.)
7. John Deibler 6-5 2G Sandusky (Ohio)
current high school ranks, focusing on the rising seniors, based
largely on spring AAU/travel ball leading into the summer camp
season, unless I haven't seen them , then on rep ...
2006:
1. Spencer Hawes 6-11 C Seatte Prep
The Pacific Northwest has turned out a number of white stars
recently, like Luke Ridnour, Luke Jackson, Jon Brockman,
Adam Morrison, Dan Dickau. Hawes looks like the best post
player in recent vintage. What I like best about him is he's not
passive like a lot of young big men, but aggressive, active and
vocal. Triggers the break as well as anyone, and can run to
catch up and finish it, too. Being recruited by all the big boys,
like UNC, Kansas, Arizona, Duke, UConn.
2. Isaiah Dahlman 6-7 WF Braham (Minn.)
Compared to Jalen Rose because he's a skinny lefty who can
create his own shot. Braham hasn't lost a game in over two
seasons with Dahlman in the lineup. Hard-nosed kid who could
be a college star once he adds strength. Will likely go to
Minnesota or Michigan State.
3. Tom HerNWO 7-0 C Flint (Mich.) Powers
Fast big man who can change ends. It's no stretch to say he's
the best shot blocker in the country, and this is after seeing him
go head-to-head with the likes of ESPN's next anointed one,
Greg Oden from Indianapolis. All HerNWO lacks is strength and
weight. 4.0 student.
4. Jon Scheyer 6-5 PG Northbrook (Ill.) Glenbrook North
Chicago-area players are often overrated, but Scheyer's pretty
good. Like Glenbrook North to a state title as a junior. Might not
star at the next level but his skill level is so high he can fit in
right away at a place like Duke -- which leads in his recruitment
-- and contribute right off the bat. Off and on shooter, but when
he's on, he's on. Still, I like Jon's passing most of all.
5. Richard Semrau 6-9 PF Rocky River (Ohio) Lutheran West
Bruce Weber's first major recruit at Illinois. Finesse big man
with a nice shooting touch.
6. Chase Budinger 6-7 WF Carlsbad (Calif.) La Costa Canyon
With his 40-inch vertical, he's the best basketball/volleyball
two-sport prosepct since Adam Keefe in 1992. He's grown two
inches in the last year, so has true perimeter skills, able to
shoot or drive. Being recruited by national heavyweights like
Arizona, Kansas and Kentucky.
7. Brian Zoubek 7-0 CCherry Hill (NH) Haddonfield
Memorial
Big man wants to go to Duke, but should be careful because
the white finesse big men, like Laettner and Ferry, have thrived
more than the traditional white big men, like Cherokee Parks
and Erik Meek, under Coach K.
8. Josh Lomers 7-0 C Boerne (Texas)
Classic low post player who already weighs 250 pounds.
9. David Kool 6-2 2G Grand Rapids (Mich.) South Christian
Underrated. All he does is win games against more "talented"
opponents. Was the sixth man when South Christian won a
state championship in 2003, and the star when it won again in
2005. Kool's performances in the state quarterfinals, semifinals
and final were called by the Detroit Free Press the greatest
week of basketball every by a Michigan high school player.
This in the home of Magic Johnson, Chris Webber, Dave
DeBusschere, Spencer Haywood ... Will Michigan state dare
offer him a scholarship after getting another white point guard,
Drew Neitzel, from the same high school league just two years
before?
10. K'len Morris 6-5 2G Grand Blanc (Mich.)
David Kool's AAU teammate. Smooth, highly athletic wing who
can create off the dribble or finish over the rim. Morris will sign
with Michigan.
11. Jason Bohannon 6-3 PG Marion (Iowa) Linn-Mar
As good as anyone at the Spiece tournament in Ft. Wayne last
weekend. What is it with big, athletic, Iowa point guards? Kirk
Hinrich is from Iowa, too. True point guard who can also hit
often from deep.
12. Luke Harangody 6-7 PF Gary (Ind.) Andrean
Plays as an undersized center, and as such reminds me of
Larry Smith, who played some five in the NBA, at 6-7, for the
Warriors and Rockets. Smith was called Mr. Mean for a reason,
and Harangody is similar, he just goes out and kicks your ass.
13. Matt Bouldin 6-5 2G Denver ThunderRidge
Gonzaga's next star white guard? The Zags are recruiting him
heavily. Combo guard who can fill it up from behind the arc
when he wants to.
14. Devan Bawinkel 6-5 2G Winnebago (Ill.)
All-around wing athlete who has to score a ton on his small
high school team. Small wingspan hurts him defensively.
15. Daniel Deane 6-8 PF Park City (Utah) Judge Memorial
Catholic
Raw forward goes all out and produces with hustle plays. Has
offers from Kansas and Stanford.
16. James Keefe 6-8 PF Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.)
Haven't seen hiim play. Headed for UCLA.
17. J.P. Gavinski 6-10 C Wisconsin Dells (Wisc.)
Going to Wisconsin. Stereotypical Big Ten player who likes to
bang.
18. Jason Bennett 7-2 C Jacksonville (Fla.) Arlington Country
Day
He's been on the radar for years because of his sheer size.
Bennett has always been a shot blocker and now can score
some since he's grown into his body.
19. Ray Hall 7-0 C Denver Mullen
Another top Colorado kid, considered by most a lock for UCLA.
Weights 250 already, has good hands, but is a little slow.
20. Taylor Harrison 6-9 PF San Clemente (Calif.)
Headed to Cal. Athletic kid who can run the floor and play with
heart and hops on the boards.
21. John Kreft 6-10 C Parkland (Fla.) Stoneman-Douglas
22. Casey Crawford 6-8 PF Overland Park (Kansas) Blue
Valley North
23. Jordan Egleseder 6-11 C Bellevue (Iowa) Marquette
24. Nick Vier 6-1 PG Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic
25. Blake Wallace 6-7 WF Yorba LInda (Calif.) Servite
26. Kurt Huelsman 6-9 PF St. Henry (Ohio)
27. Charles Dewhurst 6-5 WF Charlotte (NC) Latin
28. Marc Larson 6-8 PF Mattawan (Mich.)
29. Chad DeCasas 6-5 2G Mission Viejo (Calif.) Capistrano
Valley
30. Matt Hill 6-10 PF Lincoln (Neb.)
2007 ...
1. Kevin Love 6-8 C Lake Oswego (Ore.)
2. Cole Aldrich 6-10 PF Bloomington (Minn). Jefferson
3. Kyle Singler 6-8 WF Medford (Ore.)
4. Taylor King 6-6 WF Sanga Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
5. Austin Thornton 6-5 PG Cedar Springs (Mich.)
6. Scott Christopherson 6-2 PG Melrose (Wisc.)
7. John Deibler 6-5 2G Sandusky (Ohio)
