Gems of the '08 high school class
June 15, 2007
Mike DeCourcy
Greg Oden and Kevin Durant are preparing for the NBA draft. O.J. Mayo and Eric Gordon are signed and heading to college. So now what?
Basketball prospects are growing up faster than ever. They make their first campus visits earlier, get their first scholarship offers earlier -- and make public commitments sooner than ever before.
The traditional summer recruiting period starts in a few short weeks. The 2008 class will not be among the greatest in recent college basketball history, but there are gems to be found. There always are.
Greg Monroe
National ranking: No. 1 on Rivals.com, ScoutHoops.com, Hoopmasters.com
There are hints of Dwight Howard in Monroe's game, though Monroe doesn't have quite the same level of physical gifts. He is not as tall nor as long, but he plays with greater energy than Howard did at the same age. Monroe needs to grow stronger and improve his ability to score inside. He'll never be a pure post scorer, but a jump hook would come in handy at his size.
Delvon Roe
National ranking: No. 10 on Rivals.com, No. 4 on ScoutHoops.com, No. 5 on Hoopmasters.com
Although he's a huge get for Michigan State, Roe is probably not as promising a pro prospect as others rated as high. Roe has a power forward's game in a small forward's body -- but what a game it is. He plays with Tyler Hansbrough-style intensity and can dominate a game along the baseline with his quickness and strength. He is great at driving from the corners and finishing inside. Roe is improving as a face-up shooter; he surprised scouts by making 3-pointers at the spring Houston Kingwood Classic.
Tyler Zeller
National ranking: No. 16 on Rivals.com, No. 18 on ScoutHoops.com
The younger brother of Notre Dame forward (and former McDonald's All American) Luke Zeller, Tyler is a different sort of player than his brother. He has better quickness and is much more comfortable setting up in the post on offense, but he does not have his brother's knack for face-up shooting. Tyler will need to gain strength to become an effective low-block scorer in college, but he has played effectively against high-level competition.
Sylven Landesberg
National ranking: No. 38 on Rivals.com, No. 23 on ScoutHoops.com, No. 34 on Hoopmasters.com
He's the top player in New York and may be the city's best prospect since Sebastian Telfair, but Landesberg does not play with big-city flash. He plays a more sophisticated game that could be compared to Rip Hamilton's. Landesberg is a fine perimeter shooter, but he scores first with his creativity and intensity and is entirely at home inside the 3-point arc and around the lane. There are concerns about his athleticism, but Landesberg has advantages because of his height and length.
Terrelle Pryor
National ranking: No. 27 on Rivals.com, No. 38 on ScoutHoops.com, No. 28 on Hoopmasters.com
One college coach says if Pryor concentrated exclusively on basketball, he'd be the No. 1 prospect. Well, he's the No. 1 football prospect even though he's still playing hoops. Pryor might give up this game to concentrate on playing quarterback at the college level, but he is so physically gifted that he could contribute to a high-major basketball program simply by showing up in mid-January and playing to the start of spring practice. A lot of basketball coaches are rooting for their school's football counterparts to land him.
Iman Shumpert
National ranking: No. 41 on Rivals.com, No. 15 on ScoutHoops.com
Perhaps the fastest-rising prospect, Shumpert has benefited from his strong play in high-profile spring tournaments. He has had to work on fixing his shooting technique, but improvement in that area has made him a more complete scorer. Unlike many prospects who don't like to admit weaknesses, Shumpert manages to address his deficiencies while remaining a confident player. He is not flashy but is efficient and intelligent on the court. Shumpert is righthanded, but he is able to make plays with his left hand and is an excellent defensive prospect.
Anthony Crater
National ranking: No. 113 on Rivals.com, No. 56 on ScoutHoops.com, No. 27 on Hoopmasters.com
Some offcourt distractions affected Crater's spring play and knocked him way down the list. But he's still one of the most dynamic point guards. As one college coach says, "He didn't lose his vision." Crater is a mesmerizing passer who keeps teammates involved. One legitimate concern is a lack of strength. His frame does not suggest it will be easy for him to gain weight or maintain it when he arrives at Ohio State. He'll need to find a way to avoid being blown off the ball by stronger guards.
Clarence Trent
National ranking: No. 95 on Rivals.com, No. 84 on ScoutHoops.com, No. 48 on Hoopmasters.com
An overpowering athlete who can impose his will on a game, Trent transferred to prep school for his senior season. He is known as a player who can be a handful; he can be a bit moody on the floor. Trent needs to find an offensive game, but his energy level is so high that many programs are pursuing him.
Eloy Vargas
National ranking: No. 45 on Rivals.com, No. 46 on ScoutHoops.com, No. 69 on Hoopmasters.com
Scouts were disappointed Vargas did not make greater improvement in his junior season, but he still has height and length and can be a presence around the basket because of his athleticism. He hits face-up shots and is skilled enough to finish in traffic, though he's inconsistent because a lack of strength allows him to be knocked around. He'll never be a strong post-up player. Vargas will be a shot blocker, though, mostly as a help defender.
Olu Ashaolu
National ranking: No. 96 on ScoutHoops.com, No. 35 on Hoopmasters.com
The brother of Duquesne forward Sam Ashaolu, Olu is a muscular, powerful workhorse who can help bring a physical edge to the Rutgers frontcourt. He is not a great shooter or post player, but he can dribble the ball in the lane and create scoring opportunities for himself. Coaches admire his drive and believe he eventually will be able to play multiple positions.
Nick Williams
National ranking: No. 143 on Rivals.com, No. 90 on ScoutHoops.com, No. 71 on Hoopmasters.com
Although 6-4, Williams' jump shot probably isn't reliable enough for him to project as a shooting guard. He is viewed as more of a scorer than a shooter, an excellent athlete with toughness and a taste for defense. He uses his strength to survive as an inside player for his high school team but will move comfortably to the wing when he suits up for Marquette.
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