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Class of 2010 Post-Summer Top 175 Ratings
Posted by Bob Gibbons on 08/17 at 08:30 PM

Since the spring and summer evaluation periods are now history, and 2010 players have started their senior year of high school, it is timely to update our ratings of the top prospects in this class. As previously written, the Class of 2010 has good talent, but may not have the overall depth of recent years, particularly at the post position. During the past twelve or more years talented young players have been encouraged to make their college decisions at the earliest possible age. And, at this writing 67 of our Top 100 rising seniors had already committed to a college.We anticipate that these numbers will increase significantly now that most young men have stopped playing on summer travel teams, have attended college “elite camps,” and will be making campus visits prior to the November 11-18 fall signing period.

As expected there were some significant changes to our 2010 player ratings since our last update. Moving into our Top Six is multi-talented point guard, 6-3 Kyrie Irving, Elizabeth, NJ/ St. Patrick. Irving was our "Player of the Summer," and most recently earned MVP honors in August at the Nike Global Games. Making a quantum leap was Memphis commit, 6-6 G/F Will Barton, now at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH. Barton soared from No. 75 to No. 9 in our current ratings.

There were not too many significant drops in our 2010 ratings, the most notable were previous No. 18, 5-9 PG Phil Pressey, Dallas, TX, Episcopal School of Dallas, appeared to have "leveled out" or possibly regressed in his point guard game, and in now rated No. 74. Making the biggest fall was seemingly "endless shooter," 6-2 2G Jordin Mayes, Los Angles, CA/ Westchester. Mayes, previously rated No. 25 as a potential point guard, gunned himself down to No. 100. Missing from our previous ratings are No. 5, 6-9 C/F Jeremy Tyler, San Diego, CA, who has skipped his senior year, and will be playing professionally in Israel; and, No. 18 rated, 6-5 G/F Andre Dawkins, Chesapeake, VA, who graduated early, and is now enrolled at Duke University.

Holding fast as the No. 1 player in the Class of 2010 is overpowering 6-9 C/F Jared Sullinger, Columbus, OH/ Northland. Already committed to the hometown Ohio State Buckeyes, Sullinger ranks among the best ever rebounders in the high school ranks. He is very physical, beastial, "Karl Malone-type" power player. Sullinger made his All Ohio Red travel squad the best team of this past spring and summer. Among their most notable tournament championships were the Nike Peach Jam and the AAU Junior Nationals. Sullinger is very comparable to Kevin Love with his inside/outside skills, and although Love was the better passer, Sullinger is a more dominating rebounder and inside operative. Some so called "experts" position Sullinger as a power forward. He most definitely is at his best with his back to the basket as a low post center. Look for him to be an "incredible force" at the center position for Coach Thad Matta's Buckeyes next year.

Moving up to No. 2 is highly skilled, 6-6 G/F Harrison Barnes, Ames, IA/ Ames H.S. Barnes is an outstanding student-athlete, and has a high basketball I.Q. He is very athletic, and can play either wing position. Barnes is very smooth, and can score from the perimeter or with his highly effective mid-range game. As expected many colleges are hot after Barnes, including hometown Iowa State. Heading his current recruiting list are North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Florida, UCLA, Indiana, and Oklahoma.

As written earlier, 6-3 PG Kyrie Irving, Elizabeth, NJ, St. Patrick, was our "Player of the Summer," and our No. 3 overall prospect. Irving has moved ahead of Brandon Knight as the top-rated point guard prospect in the Class of 2010. Beginning with his all-around stellar play in our Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions last May, and continuing throughout the summer, Irving displaced exceptional true point guard skills, including unselfish team leadership, excellent decision making and playmaking abilities, tenacious defense on the ball, and the ability to score points when necessary. Reportedly, the leaders for Irving are Indiana, Duke, Kentucky, Connecticut, Georgia Tech, Seton Hall, and Virginia.

Moving up to No. 4 is Texas commit, Toronto, Ontario resident, 6-9 PF Tristan Thompson, Henderson, NV/ Findlay Prep. Some have downgraded Thompson for his play this summer. However, at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions, despite playing on a sprained ankle, he was tremendous. He had a superb performance for Team Canada in August at the Nike Global Games. Thompson helped Findlay Prep claim the No. 1 ranking in high school basketball last year, and is unquestionably the No. 1 power forward prospect in the Class of 2010. Coach Rick Barnes will welcome Thompson as an "immediate impact player" for his Texas Longhorns next year.

Sliding from No. 2 to No. 5 is high scoring guard 6-3 Brandon Knight, Fort Lauderdale, FL/ Pine Crest Academy. Knight had a superlative junior season, and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida. However, he has become more of a scorer than a playmaker, and is really a "points guard." He seems to be following somewhat in the path of his 2008 summer teammate, Kenny Boynton. Knight's current list of colleges includes Florida, Florida State, Miami, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Wake Forest, Connecticut, and Syracuse. The Florida Gators could be the leaders.

Completing our 2010 "Super Six" is the second-rated center in class, 6-9, 270-pound Josh Smith, Covington, WA/ Kentwood. Smith had surgery in June to remove his tonsils and adenoids, and quite frankly, did not perform up to the lofty expectations during the summer. He did match up well against Jared Sullinger at the Nike Peach Jam in July. Smith has lost weight, gotten in better condition, and is now playing football as an offensive lineman for Kentwood High. Smith has unlimited potential, and appears destined to become a major physical presence in the low post at the collegiate level. His long list of schools includes Washington, UCLA, Louisville, Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Gonzaga, Texas, Georgetown, and Tennessee.

Following are our ratings of the Top 175 Players in the Class of 2010.

Rgt Name Pos HT WT City/State/High School
1 Jared Sullinger C/F 6-9 265 Columbus, OH/ Northland (Ohio State)
2 Harrison Barnes WF 6-7 200 Ames, IA/ Ames
3 Kyrie Irving 1/2G 6-2+ 175 Elizabeth, NJ/ St. Patrick
4 Tristan Thompson PF 6-9 230 Henderson, NV/ Findlay Prep (Texas)
5 Brandon Knight 1/2G 6-3 185 Fort Lauderdale, FL/ Pine Crest Acad.
6 Josh Smith C 6-9 275 Covington, WA/ Kentwood
7 Josh Hairston PF 6-8 215 Frederick, MD/ Montrose Christian (Duke)
8 C. J. Leslie P/WF 6-8 195 Raleigh, NC/ Word of God
9 Will Barton G/F 6-6 172 Wolfeboro, NH/ Brewster Academy (Memphis)
10 DeShaun Thomas WF 6-7+ 210 Fort Wayne, IN/ Bishop Luers (Ohio State)
11 Reggie Bullock G/F 6-6+ 195 Kinston, NC/ Kinston (North Carolina)
12 Josh Selby 1/2G 6-2+ 185 Baltimore, MD/ Lake Clifton
13 Kendall Marshall PG 6-3+ 185 Arlington, VA/ Bishop O'Connell (North Carolina)
14 Perry Jones C 6-10+ 230 Duncanville, TX/ Duncanville (Baylor)
15 Joe Jackson PG 5-11 165 Memphis, TN/ White Station (Memphis)
16 Tobias Harris W/PF 6-8 230 Dix Hills, NY/ Half Hollow Hills West
17 Terrence Jones PF 6-8+ 220 Portland, OR/ Jefferson
18 Jereme Richmond WF 6-7 200 Waukegan, IL/ Waukegan (Illinois)
19 Doron Lamb 2G 6-4 190 Mouth of Wilson, VA/ Oak Hill Academy
20 Patric Young PF 6-9 220 Jacksonville, FL/ Paxon School (Florida)
21 Jayvaughn Pinkston PF 6-6 230 Brooklyn, NY/ Bishop Loughlin
22 Dion Waiters 2G 6-3 210 Burlington, NJ/ Life Center Acad.  (Syracuse)
23 Keith Appling 1/2G 6-2+ 185 Detroit, MI/ Pershing (Michigan State)
24 Ryan Harrow PG 6-0 155 Marietta, GA/ Walton (N.C. State)
25 Roscoe Smith WF 6-7+ 190 Mouth of Wilson, VA/ Oak Hill Acad.
26 Stacey Poole G/F 6-5 195 Jacksonville, FL/ Andrew Jackson (Kentucky)
27 Mychal Parker WF 6-6 195 Charlottesville, VA/ Miller School (Maryland)
28 James Bell WF 6-6 217 Montverde, FL/ Montverde Academy (Villanova)
29 Adreian Payne C 6-10 215 Dayton, OH/ Jefferson
30 Nate Lubick C/F 6-9+ 225 Southborough, MA/ St. Mark's (Georgetown)
31 Justin Coleman WF 6-5+ 210 Richmond, VA/ Henrico
32 Jalan Kendrick G/F 6-6 190 Marietta, GA/ Wheeler
33 Cameron Clark WF 6-6 195 Sherman, TX/ Sherman (Oklahoma)
34 Dominique Ferguson PF 6-9 210 Chatham, VA/ Hargrave Mil. Acd. (Fla. Internationl)
35 Travis McKie WF 6-6+ 210 Richmond, VA/ John Marshall (Wake Forest)
36 Tobi Oyedeji PF 6-8+ 200 Bellaire, TX/ Bellaire (Texas A&M)
37 Ray McCallum PG 6-1 165 Beverly Hills, MI/ Detroit Country Day
38 Casey Prather G/F 6-5 190 Jackson, TN/ North Side (Florida)
39 Gary Franklin 1/2G 6-3 190 Santa Ana, CA/ Mater Dei
40 Daniel Bejarano 2G 6-4 205 Phoenix, AZ/ North
41 Cory Joseph 1/2G 6-3 175 Henderson, NV/ Findlay Prep
42 Jordan Sibert 2G 6-5 190 Cincinnati, OH/ Princeton (Ohio State)
43 Crandall Head 2G 6-3+ 180 Chicago, IL/ Crane Tech (Illinois)
44 Jordan McRae G/F 6-5+ 188 Hinesville, GA/ Liberty County (Tennessee)
45 Okaro White PF 6-8 195 Clearwater, FL/ Clearwater (Florida State)
46 Gerard Coleman 2G 6-4 185 Tilton, NH/ Tilton School (Providence)
47 Juwan Staten PG 5-11 170 Mouth of Wilson, VA/ Oak Hill Acad. (Dayton)
48 Jason Morris WF 6-5+ 205 Lakeville, CT/ Hotchkiss School
49 Meyers Leonard C 7-0 220 Robinson, IL/ Robinson (Illinois)
50 Fabrico Melo C 7-0 265 Weston, FL/ Sagemont (Syracuse)
51 Eric Atkins PG 6-1 175 Baltimore, MD/ Mt. St. Joseph's (Notre Dame)
52 J. J. Moore G/F 6-5 185 South Kent, CT/ South Kent
53 Michael Cobbins PF 6-9 215 Amarillo, TX/ Palo Duro (Oklahoma State)
54 Tyler Thornton 1/2G 6-2 180 Washington, DC/ Gonzaga (Duke)
55 Mardracus Wade 2G 6-3 180 Chatham, VA/ Hargrave Military (Arkansas)
56 Justin Martin WF 6-7 195 Beckley, WV/ Mountain State Acad. (Xavier)
57 Anthony Brown WF 6-6+ 187 Huntington Beach, CA/ Ocean View
58 Isaiah Epps PG 6-2 170 Chatham, VA/ Hargrave Mil. Acad. (Pittsburgh)
59 Evan Smotrycz PF 6-9 212 New Hampton, NH/ School (Michigan)
60 Taran Buie 2G 6-3 175 Albany, NY/ Bishop McGinn (Penn State)
61 Terrance Ross WF 6-6 190 Rockville, MD/ Montrose Christian (Maryland)
62 Rion Brown 2G 6-5 190 Hinesville, GA/ Liberty County (Miami, FL)
63 Trey Zeigler 2G 6-5 195 Mount Pleasant, MI/ Mount Pleasant
64 T. J. Taylor 2G 6-3 205 Denison, TX/ Denison (Oklahoma)
65 Evan Anderson C 6-11 235 Eau Claire, WI/ North (Wisconsin)
66 J. T. Terrell 2G 6-3+ 180 Charlotte, NC/ West Charlotte (Wake Forest)
67 Josh Langford P/WF 6-7 210 Huntsville, AL/ J. O. Johnson (Louisville)
68 James Johnson PF 6-8 225 Wildomar, CA/ Elsinore (Virginia)
69 Matt Derenbecker WF 6-6 200 Metairie, LA/ Metairie Park Ctry Day (L.S.U.)
70 R. J. Slawson P/WF 6-8 195 N. Charleston, SC/ Fort Dorchester (South Carolina)
71 Julian Washburn PF 6-8 215 Elizabeth, NJ/ St. Patrick
72 Ian Miller 1/2G 6-2 175 Charlotte, NC/ United Faith Christ. (Florida State)
73 J. D. Weatherspoon WF 6-6 210 Columbus, OH/ Northland (Ohio State)
74 Phillip Pressey PG 5-9 160 Dallas, TX/ Episcopal School of Dallas (Missouri)
75 Jeremy Lamb 2G 6-5 170 Norcross, GA/ Norcross (Connecticut)
76 Noah Cottrill 1/2G 6-2 190 Logan, WV/ Logan (West Virginia)
77 Russell Byrd G/F 6-6+ 195 Fort Wayne, IN/ Blackhawk Christ. (Michigan State)
78 Aaron Craft 1/2G 6-3 188 Findlay, OH/ Liberty Benton (Ohio State)
79 Markel Starks PG 6-1 175 N. Bethesda, MD/ Georgetown Prep (Georgetown)
80 Bryce Jones G/F 6-4+ 180 Woodland Hills, CA/ Taft (Southern California)
81 Jarrell Eddie WF 6-6+ 210 Concord, NC/ Cannon School (Virginia Tech)
82 Trevor Releford PG 6-0 175 Shawnee Mission, KS/ Bishop Miege
83 Markel Brown 2G 6-4 180 Alexandria, LA/ Peabody (Oklahoma State)
84 Richard Solomon C/F 6-9 205 Los Angeles, CA/ Price (California)
85 Bruce Ellington PG 5-11 190 Moncks Corner, SC/ Berkley (South Carolina)
86 Tyler Lamb 2G 6-5 187 Santa Ana, CA/ Mater Dei (UCLA)
87 Lenzelle Smith 2/1G 6-3+ 215 Zion, IL/ Zion Benton Twnp. (Ohio State)
88 Desmond Simmons PF 6-8 210 Richmond, CA/ Salesian (Washington)
89 Ralston Turner G/F 6-5+ 195 Muscle Shoals, AL/ Muscle Shoals (LSU)
90 Will Regan C/F 6-9 220 Buffalo, NY/ Nichols School (Virginia)
91 C. J. Fair P/WF 6-7+ 200 Baltimore, MD/ City College (Syracuse)
92 Vander Blue 1/2G 6-3 185 Madison, WI/ Memorial
93 Alex Kirk C 6-10+ 235 Los Alamos, NM/ Los Alamos
94 Tyrone Garland 1/2G 6-1 170 Philadelphia, PA/ John Bartram (Virginia Tech)
95 Baye Moussa Keita C 6-11 210 Mouth of Wilson, VA/ Oak Hill Acad. (Syracuse)
96 Aaron Bowen WF 6-5 180 Jacksonville, FL/ Samuel Wolfson
97 Tarik Black C 6-9 225 Memphis, TN/ Ridgeway
98 Melvin Tabb PF 6-8 215 Raleigh, NC/ Enloe (Wake Forest)
99 Tim Hardaway 2G 6-4 188 Palmetto, FL/ Palmetto (Michigan)
100 Brandon Spearman 2G 6-4 200 Chicago, IL/ Simeon (Dayton)
100 Jordin Mayes 1/2G 6-2+ 175 Los Angeles, CA/ Westchester
100 Daniel Alexander PF 6-8 200 Dripping Springs, TX/ Dripping Springs (Tex. A&M)
100 Jelani Hewitt 1/2G 6-3 185 Oakland Park, FL/ Northeast
100 Markus Kennedy C/F 6-9 280 Cherry Hill, NJ/ Living Faith Christian (Villanova)
101 Pe'Shon Howard 1/2G 6-2 195 Mouth of Wilson, VA/ Oak Hill Academy
102 Allen Crabbe 2G 6-5 170 Los Angeles, CA/ Price (California)
103 Rod Odom P/WF 6-8 200 Concord, NH/ Middlesex School
104 Cody Larson C/F 6-9 225 Sioux Falls, SD/ Roosevelt (Iowa)
105 Dwight Powell C 6-10 215 Bradenton, FL/ IMG Academy
106 Carson Desrosiers C 6-10 215 Lawrence, MA/ Central Catholic (Wake Forest)
107 Dwayne Polee WF 6-7 195 Los Angeles, CA/ Westchester (Southern California)
108 David Williams WF 6-7 195 Jacksonville, FL/ First Coast (Indiana)
109 Alex Gauna C 6-9 225 Eaton Rapids, MI/ Eaton Rapids (Michigan State)
110 Terrell Stoglin 1/2G 6-2 185 Tucson, AZ/ Santa Rita (Maryland)
111 Terone Johnson 2G 6-3 188 Indianapolis, IN/ North Central (Purdue)
112 K. C. Ross-Miller 1/2G 6-1 170 Dallas, TX/ God's Academy (Kentucky)
113 Royce Woolridge 2G 6-3 175 Phoenix, AZ/ Sunnyslope (Kansas)
114 Kyle Collinsworth WF 6-6 190 Provo, UT/ Provo (Brigham Young)
115 Luke Cothron PF 6-8+ 215 Red Springs, NC/ Flora Mc Donald
116 Keala King 2G 6-5 185 Santa Ana, CA/ Mater Dei (Arizona State)
117 Dundrecous Nelson PG 6-0 190 Jackson, MS/ Murrah (Mississippi)
118 K. T. Harrell 1/2G 6-3 170 Montgomery, AL/ Brewbaker Tech (Virginia)
119 Jalen Courtney PF 6-8 210 Jackson, MS/ Provine (L.S.U.)
120 Shane Southwell WF 6-6 210 New York, NY/ Rice
121 Ahmad Starks PG 5-8 165 Chicago, IL/ Whitney Young (Oregon State)
122 Langston Galloway 2G 6-3 185 Baton Rouge, LA/ Christian Life Acad.(St. Joseph's)
123 Fuquan Edwin G/F 6-5 190 Paterson, NJ/ Paterson Catholic (Seton Hall)
124 Tony Mitchell P/WF 6-8 220 Dallas, TX/ Pinkston
125 Anthony Johnson 2G 6-3+ 180 Chicago, IL/ Whitney Young (Purdue)
126 Cameron Wright 2G 6-4 190 Cleveland, OH/ Benedictine (Pittsburgh)
127 Bakari Turner 2G 6-4 185 Plano, TX/ Plano West (Baylor)
128 Bryon Allen 2G 6-4 205  Oakdale, CT/ St. Thomas More (West Virginia)
129 Will Spradling PG 6-1 175 Shawnee Mission, KS/ South (Kansas State)
130 Doug McDermott WF 6-7 190 Ames, IA/ Ames
131 Danny Lawhorn PG 5-10 155 Oakdale, CT/ St. Thomas More (Boston College)
132 Trae Golden 2G 6-2 175 Powders Springs, GA. McEachern (Tennessee)
133 Austin Hollins 2G 6-4 175 Germantown, TN/ Germantown (Minnesota)
134 Jordan Latham PF 6-8 215 Baltimore, MD/ City College (Xavier)
135 Shaquille Thomas WF 6-6+ 180 Beckley, WV/ Mountain State Academy
136 Jamail Jones WF 6-6 190 Decatur, GA/ Greenforest Christian (Marquette)
137 Ben Brust PG 6-2 180 Mundelein, IL/ Mundelein (Iowa)
138 Brian Williams 2G 6-4 185 Baton Rouge, LA/ Glen Oaks (Oklahoma State)
139 Demarco Cox C 6-8 300 Yazoo City, MS/ Yazoo City (Mississippi)
140 Jon Horford PF 6-9 215 Grand Ledge, MI/ Grand Ledge
141 DaMontre Harris C/F 6-9 210 Fayetteville, NC/ Trinity Christian (South Carolina)
142 Victor Oladipo 2G 6-3+ 190 Hyattsville, MD/ DeMatha Catholic (Indiana)
143 Brandon Peters 2G 6-2 185 Houston, TX/ Jack Yates
144 Jacob Thomas 2G 6-4 180 Columbia Heights, MN/ Columbia Heights
145 Travis Carroll C/F 6-9 220 Danville, IN/ Danville (Purdue)
146 Curtis Washington C/F 6-9 215 Elizabethtown, KY/ Elizabethtown (Southern Calif.)
147 Phil Taylor PG 5-9 165 Marietta, GA/ Wheeler (Florida International)
148 Randy Collins PF 6-5 245 La Porte, TX/ La Porte
149 Will Kirksey C/F 6-7 245 St. Louis, MO/ Lafayette
150 Eric Smith PG 6-0 190 Arden, NC/ Christ School  (South Carolina)
151 Zach McCabe P/WF 6-7 205 Sioux City, IA/ Bishop Heelan (Iowa)
152 Devon Collier P/WF 6-7 217 Jersey City, NJ/ St. Anthony
153 Joel Wright WF 6-6 210 South Kent, CT/ South Kent (Fordham)
154 Marcus Thornton PF 6-8 215 Atlanta, GA/ Westlake (Clemson)
155 Justin Jackson P/WF 6-8 210 Montverde, FL/ Montverde Academy (Cincinnati)
156 Jerian Grant 2/1G 6-4 180 Hyattsville, MD/ DeMatha Catholic (Notre Dame)
157 John Gage C 6-10 210 Vashon, WA/ Vashon Island (Stanford)
158 Kyle Fuller PG 6-0 175 Moreno Valley, CA/ Rancho Verde (Vanderbilt)
159 Kendall Williams 1/2G 6-2+ 175 Rancho Cucamonga, CA/ Los Osos
160 Ge-Lawn Guyn 1/2G 6-3 185 Georgetown, KY/ Scott County
161 Khyle Marshall WF 6-6 200 Pembroke Pines, FL/ Flanagan (Butler)
162 Donnie Hale P/WF 6-7 200 New Albany, IN/ New Albany (Purdue)
163 Roy Marble 2G 6-5 175 Lathrup Village, MI/ Southfield-Lathrup (Iowa)
164 Alex Dragicevich 2G 6-5 187 Northbrook, IL/ Glenbrook South (Notre Dame)
165 Reco McCarter P/WF 6-7+ 190 Goldsboro, NC/ Wayne Country Day (V.C.U.)
166 J. P. Kambola C/F 6-9 220 Newark, NJ/ St. Benedict's
167 Alandise Harris WF 6-5 215 Little Rock, AR/ Central
168 Tony Chennault 2/1G 6-2 180 Philadelphia, PA/ Neumann-Goretti (Wake Forest)
169 Joe Harris G/F 6-5 200 Chelan, WA/ Chelan (Virginia)
170 Demetri Batten 2G 6-3 180 Newport News, VA/ Heritage (Old Dominion)
171 Jordan Dykstra P/WF 6-9 195 Rock Valley, IA/ Rock Valley
172 Tom Droney 1/2G 6-5+ 187 Sewickley, PA/ Sewickley Academy (Davidson)
173 Kevin Noreen PF 6-8 200 Minneapolis, MN/ Minnesota Transition Chtr. (Bos. College)
174 Patrick Simon WF 6-7 195 Ephrata, WA/ Ephrata (Washington State)
175 Will Sheehey G/F 6-5 195 Stuart, FL/ South Fork
175 Ben Clifford PF 6-8 200 South Jordan, UT/ Bingham (Utah State)
175 Tashawn Mabry P/WF 6-6 220 Rocky Mount, NC/ Rocky Mount
175 Jonathan Graham PF 6-8 220 Towson, MD/ Calvert Hall
175 Jesse Berry 1/2G 6-1 175 Lafayette, IN/ Jefferson (Dayton)

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