High School Basketball Prospects

[Shadowlight]

Not easy to bake the perfect cake. For me no matter what sport the best case scenario is a dual thing where a white prospect has both top flight athleticism and a high ranking. Around here they are known as Caste Busters!! But over the past decade plus those type of white athletes have been very few and far between. Often they rank high in one of the dual aspects but are lacking in the other. Sure there have been more than a few white baseball prospects with tremendous speed but rarely are they rated among the best prospects and few make it to the Majors. So in a sense they "don't exist." And too often like in basketball the top 100 white players are big guys more noted for finesse and power rather than explosive hops and speed. They might make it but we hear about their "lack of quickness" for four years.
Let us hope that is not the case with what looks to me like the heir apparent of Rex Chapman since he is from Kentucky. The problem is at this point in time he has a low rating of two stars which gets you into say a low major like New Hampshire. So his skills need refinement and a ton of hard work in order for him to jump to a High Major School. Is he hungry enough like so many black athletes or will he drift away into oblivion like so many other distracted white kids these days? But if he can get his act together we are looking at a prime time special athlete. From the class of 2020 and already sporting a 41 inch vertical with blinding speed I introduce the very raw (so was Michael Jordan his freshman year in HS) 6"4" SG Trey Brock. The goal is to get him into the top 25 prospects for the class of 2020. See below for a quick synapsis of this incredible athlete.
https://future150.com/hs/basketball-news/trey-brock-eyeing-breakout-sophomore-season

 

[Jack Lambert]

What a find Shadowlight!! He looks like he is going to be a good one!

In some more good news, 2018 forward Chris Doherty committed to Notre Dame today!!! That gives the Fighting Irish 4 out of 5 white players for 2018!! I'm glad there a still a few "colorblind" staffs left in college basketball.

Chris Doherty
https://247sports.com/Player/Chris-Doherty-46047604

 

[Jack Lambert]

It's been awhile, but here a couple more prospects to keep your eye on:

Shadowlight mentioned a player from Kentucky, Trey Brock, as a stud in the 2020 class to watch out for. There's a 2020 Kentucky player better than Brock is: that would be Trinity PG Justin Powell. He's 6'5, 180, and is a complete stud. This guy has it all: great athleticism, good speed and quickness, great passing skills (look at his vision and passes in the video!), and can play defense. He's an acrobat in the air and is able to finish some tough shots around the rim; he also has legit three point range. He's the No. 1 player in the state of Kentucky for 2020, and has offers from programs like Auburn (!), Cincinnati (!), Vanderbilt, and Xavier. Expect blue bloods to be all over this kid. Do yourself a favor and watch this kid's highlights, it's well worth your time!

Justin Powell


https://247sports.com/Player/Justin-Powell-46048027

The next guy is from the Class 0f 2019. That would be Newburgh, Indiana product Alex Hemenway. The 6'3 170 lb guard is a great scorer from all levels, and has athleticism to boot. He's especially good finishing around the rim and through contact. Hemenway has offers from Butler, Xavier, Creighton, and Nebraska, among others, and is a legit HM prospect. I look forward to seeing where he goes; from the current list, Creighton or Butler would be most ideal.

Alex Hemenway

https://247sports.com/player/alex-hemenway-46036018

 

[Jack Lambert]

Here are three more 2018 prospects who will all hopefully be at high major schools.

The first is the surest thing, as he's visiting four HM schools and then deciding between them. That would be Aussie forward Sam Froling, the brother of Marquette forward Harry Froling, who we're going to get to see when he suits up this weekend. The 6'9, 205 forward has a good all-around game. He's tough around the rim, and blocks a lot of shots, as his highlight film shows. He's also good on offense, with his back to the basket or facing the basket. Froling can also shoot threes. As I mentioned, Froling is currently on a visit tour of colleges before going back to Australia, when he'll decide. His finalists are: Wichita State, Arizona, Creighton, or Maryland. Any of the four would be good for him, although playing time would likely come through Creighton or Wichita State. However, Froling and Alex Barcello (an Arizona PG) would be a good pairing at Arizona.

Sam Froling

https://247sports.com/Player/Sam-Froling-46036725

The next two guys are late risers in the 2018 class; both of them are now getting high major interest after initial mid-major offers.

The first guy is Drew Peterson, a 6'7 wing from Libertyville, Illinois. He's taking a visit to Wisconsin on December 23, and with the Badgers' need of finding a scorer, it's likely Peterson will get an offer when he visits. I'm unable to find a recent video of Peterson's (the most recent good ones are from a couple years ago), so I'll give you his stats so far this year. Peterson is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals per game!! Not too bad. If I find a good video, you can be sure I'll post it. He's no Tyler Herro in terms of pure talent, but Peterson would definitely fit in with Wisconsin should they offer him.

Drew Peterson

https://247sports.com/Player/Drew-Peterson-46036183

The last guy for now is Connor Crabtree. The 6'5, 180 lb guard, now at Hargrave Military Academy, is one hell of an athlete. His highlight film from his senior year of high school is pretty dang good. I'm not sure of the caliber of opposition he played, but man, he can light it up. Crabtree is an athlete that can shoot, drive, and get up and throw down some nice dunks. Crabtree also has good handles, and good basketball IQ. He looks pretty long, which helps him on defense, especially with getting into the passing lanes. He was a 1,000 point scorer in high school. High majors have started taking notice of him lately, with schools like Butler, Virginia, and Marquette all stopping in to see him recently. With the skills this guy looks like he has, it's "amazing" only mid majors have been involved with him until now. "Weird" huh? Any of the three schools I mentioned for him would be ideal landing spots, although I think Butler would provide the clearest path to playing time for him. I'm just hoping he doesn't commit to a mid-major school; his skills are too good in my opinion.

Connor Crabtree

https://247sports.com/player/connor-crabtree-46035450

 

[Jack Lambert]

There's a 2019 guard from Glens Falls, New York. If you aren't aware, that's where Jimmer Fredette went to high school at. Glens Falls is also where Joe Girard III is currently attending HS. He's already drawn comparisons to Jimmer for his incredible sharpshooting skills and scoring ability. The 6'1, 195 lb guard is already a scoring machine; he's just 247 points shy of Jimmer's record as a JUNIOR. Girard and Fredette have even worked out together, and Jimmer has said that Girard is already better than he was at a similar age. Not surprisingly, BYU has already offered, as have a few other schools. High majors like Notre Dame, Michigan, and Villanova are all interested in the dynamic guard's services. Girard is definitely one to watch moving forward!! Even sites like Bleacher Report are calling him the "next Fredette!" I've linked an article by the 247 profile.

Joseph Girard III


https://247sports.com/Player/Joseph-Girard-45572935
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...er-fredette-is-getting-help-from-the-original

 

[celticdb15]

There's a 2019 guard from Glens Falls, New York. If you aren't aware, that's where Jimmer Fredette went to high school at. Glens Falls is also where Joe Girard III is currently attending HS. He's already drawn comparisons to Jimmer for his incredible sharpshooting skills and scoring ability. The 6'1, 195 lb guard is already a scoring machine; he's just 247 points shy of Jimmer's record as a JUNIOR. Girard and Fredette have even worked out together, and Jimmer has said that Girard is already better than he was at a similar age. Not surprisingly, BYU has already offered, as have a few other schools. High majors like Notre Dame, Michigan, and Villanova are all interested in the dynamic guard's services. Girard is definitely one to watch moving forward!! Even sites like Bleacher Report are calling him the "next Fredette!" I've linked an article by the 247 profile.

Joseph Girard III


https://247sports.com/Player/Joseph-Girard-45572935
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...er-fredette-is-getting-help-from-the-original

Awesome love logging on to see stories like this, rooting for the young man!

 

[Shadowlight]

Rivals just updated three classes. Most players are pictured. First off is class of 2019 see below. One note Rylan Jones, not pictured, is white.
https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2019

 

[Shadowlight]

Class of 2018 see below.

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2018

 

[Shadowlight]

Class of 2020 see below.

https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2020

 

[celticdb15]

JL had some free time this afternoon and I watched several of the highlight films you have posted above and man, there is some SERIOUS talent out There! I liked Powell and Hemenways smooth all around games as well as Crabtree! That young man has some SERIOUS ups! Very entertaining to see him flying down the court throwing down dunks!

 

[Jack Lambert]

Glad you enjoyed them, Celtic!! Hopefully all three of those guys get to some good schools. One note, Sam Froling, the Aussie whom I mentioned above, committed to Creighton today!! Big-time pickup for the Blue Jays, who'll be white friendly for a few more years with Froling, Ballock, Krampelj, and Jacob Epperson, a big-time player who's red-shirting this year.

Thanks for the lists, Shadowlight! The Class of 2018 has zero white players in the Top 30, which is disheartening. However, they have 13 white players (14 counting Kithier at #101) inside the Top 100 beyond that. I've been meaning to mention Villanova commit, 2018 F Cole Swider (#41 in the rankings now) for some time, but haven't had the time for prospects lately. He's going to be a stud for Nova, who will suddenly have 5 white players on scholarship next year... what's gotten in to Jay Wright?? For the longest time, the Wildcats used to have nearly all-black teams. Guess there still is positive change out there for some teams!

Here's Swider's Rivals profile and a highlight video; he is pretty damn impressive!

Cole Swider

https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2018/cole-swider-73075

2019 is the exact opposite of 2018, with 7 whites in the Top 55! However, There are NONE in the rest of the Top 100 until one gets to Jaime Jaquez at 106! Guess the rankings can't be too "biased" towards whites, can they? That's the lowest number of whites I've ever seen in a Top 100. Although, other services like 247 have more guys in the Top 100, and the most potential for movement is in the bottom half of the rankings, so the Top 100 will likely have 12-15 white guys when it's all said and done. 2020 looks to be a little better as well, with 7 whites just in the Top 75. I'm guessing (of course) they'll be around 10-15 when all said and done in the Top 100. Those are really consistent numbers, aren't they? It's really weird, right?

 

[Jack Lambert]

McDonald's released their rosters for the McDonald's "All-American" men's and women's games today. Of course, not a single white player is good enough for this anti-white corporation's game. What's just as troubling to me, is that there are only 2(!) white women on the roster out of 24 players! I know not too long ago, the women's game was whiter than the men's (from the little I watched, anyway). It's looking like the caste system in women's basketball is really kicking into overdrive as well. If there's any silver lining, it's that there will likely be a whopping 4-5 white players in the men's game next year...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...sters-2018-rj-barrett-shakira-austin-headline

 

[Shadowlight]

This will be the second year in a row that there will be zero white players. Worth noting last year's girls team featured zero whites too.
Here is a mini breakdown of the number of whites.

2014-boys (b)-2, girls(g)-2

2015-b-3, g-5

2016-b-3, g-6

2017-b-0, g-0

2018-b-0, g-2

As JL indicated 2019 and I would add 2020 should feature at least two or more white boys players and for the girls 2020 looks heavier on top than usual with white players.

But the overall trend is pretty consistent. You are right JL roughly 10% of the top 100 boys players annually are white and this has been a consistent figure. One thing that I have noticed is going back some you would often see a top 5 white player, usually a big man. These days it is rare to see a top ten white player. Still when compared to top high school running backs basketball looks white friendly. Even white wide receivers and defensive backs don't make up 10% of the top 100 prospects by position. And in high school football there are usually ZERO white cornerbacks in the top 100. It is official. The cornerback position is the BLACK HOLE of sports for white players.

I do know like in football there are reams of young black basketball players who start showing up on lists early and often. I see no reversal of this AVALANCHE. Sometimes you see stuff that defies gravity. A top player in a young class is from Utah and he is NOT white. The cupboard is not completely bare but I don't see any significant shift in the current make up of college and NBA basketball anytime soon. Like in football we just have to hope some white players break through as stars and eventually play in the NBA.

Has anyone ever done a study on black high school sports participation levels ? Granted many white rates are skewered by sports like lacrosse and wrestling but I have to believe say participation percentage wise among blacks is MUCH higher than whites when it comes to football and basketball.

 

[Carolina Speed]

This will be the second year in a row that there will be zero white players. Worth noting last year's girls team featured zero whites too.
Here is a mini breakdown of the number of whites.

2014-boys (b)-2, girls(g)-2

2015-b-3, g-5

2016-b-3, g-6

2017-b-0, g-0

2018-b-0, g-2

As JL indicated 2019 and I would add 2020 should feature at least two or more white boys players and for the girls 2020 looks heavier on top than usual with white players.

But the overall trend is pretty consistent. You are right JL roughly 10% of the top 100 boys players annually are white and this has been a consistent figure. One thing that I have noticed is going back some you would often see a top 5 white player, usually a big man. These days it is rare to see a top ten white player. Still when compared to top high school running backs basketball looks white friendly. Even white wide receivers and defensive backs don't make up 10% of the top 100 prospects by position. And in high school football there are usually ZERO white cornerbacks in the top 100. It is official. The cornerback position is the BLACK HOLE of sports for white players.

I do know like in football there are reams of young black basketball players who start showing up on lists early and often. I see no reversal of this AVALANCHE. Sometimes you see stuff that defies gravity. A top player in a young class is from Utah and he is NOT white. The cupboard is not completely bare but I don't see any significant shift in the current make up of college and NBA basketball anytime soon. Like in football we just have to hope some white players break through as stars and eventually play in the NBA.

Has anyone ever done a study on black high school sports participation levels ? Granted many white rates are skewered by sports like lacrosse and wrestling but I have to believe say participation percentage wise among blacks is MUCH higher than whites when it comes to football and basketball.

In my area of NC, there are a lot more whites participating in football and basketball overall. However, most of them haven't been prepared to go to the next level. I have mentioned this so many times most of you are probably sick of it. It takes work and preparation to play college football much less the NFL. I know. Again, I raised and ALL State RB, but he was de railed by an injury early in his senior season. It happens and it just wasn't meant to be, but I know what he did to get to the level he was at and that's what it takes. I will be more than happy to let you guys know if any of you have sons or daughters wanting to become D-1 caliber athletes. Just one more thing, you do have to have some pretty good athletic genetics also!
I keep saying I should start a thread, but just need to commit to it.
I would just like to help some of the younger guys thinking about starting a family.
You can PM me if you like.

 

[white lightning]

Here is a video of 2 brothers from Minnesota that had the most amazing high school careers ever!

 

[Jack Lambert]

Great video, WL!! Definitely a good watch. I saw that Anders and Bjorn lost the other day in their conference tourney... I was hoping they'd be able to make it this year.

A couple of updates... Joe Girard III's recruitment has exploded, even getting an offer from Duke!! It'd be great if he committed there; him and Joey Baker would be pretty awesome.

Connor Crabtree comitted to Tulane. Sam Froling signed with Creighton!!

Davidson also recently got a commit from Luke Brajkovic, a 2018 center prospect from Austria! I do like the fact that the Wildcats will be reloading with some white players again next year. https://247sports.com/player/luka-brajkovic-46048721

Also, Jaime Jaquez, a fringe Top 100 player who I mentioned above, was offered by UCLA! https://247sports.com/Player/Jaime-Jaquez-91003

 

[celticdb15]

Wow I’d say Tulane landed an absolute gem of a prospect in Crabtree! Impressive highlights.

 

[white lightning]

 

[white lightning]

I've been watching Matt McClung among other high school guys all year. Overtime is great for high school basketball. Here is the video of the Virgina State Basketball Championship tonight. McClung had an insane vertical, great shooting and dribbling plus he is a very smart player on & off the court. He broke Iversons and all the state records for scoring. The kid has a 45 inch vertical leap. Watch and be amazed!

 

[white lightning]

Mix tape of the most explosive guard in high school basketball. He is headed to Georgetown and as good
as this kid is he might be one and done! Enjoy the mixtape guys.

 

[celticdb15]

McClung is a baller! He recently just broke Allen Iversons Virginia HS Basketball scoring record that's impressive!. Good for Ewing in recruiting this young man.

 

[Jack Lambert]

Thanks for the videos WL! McClung is a baller and I look forward to seeing him next year. He should be starting, or at the very least, playing a lot of minutes.

Here's another PG to look for. Jordan McCabe should be playing big minutes for West Virginia next year, and it's easy to see why. Just look at this guy (excuse the music).

 

[white lightning]

Jordan McCabe is a fantastic player. They me add another name to the mix.

He just broke the All time NY High School Scoring Record set by Lance Stephenson(Nba player).
Let me introduce to you guys Joe Girard III.

 

[Jack Lambert]

Joe Girard III will be an amazing player going forward. He's been offered by Duke and Notre Dame!! Getting a Duke team with Alex O'Connell, Joey Baker, and Joe Girard III in two years?? That'll be taking us back to the good old days of the 2010 Duke team which won the Championship.

Also, on Connor Crabtree, the guard who I posted on earlier: it looks like he visited Memphis this last weekend. When is the last time Memphis recruited a white freshman?

I do think next year will be a whole lot better for our guys. A lot of it will depend on how the last recruiting period and the grad transfer market shakes out. But there seems to be an uptick in the number of good white freshman who can make an impact. Plus, besides guys like Grayson Allen, Andrew Rowsey and JP Macura, it doesn't seem like we lost a lot of white seniors either.

 

[Jack Lambert]

I figured I'd give an update on a couple of 2018 prospects who are still on the market. With the April recruiting period starting, I'm hoping to have some more time to post some prospects later that are coming up.

The first is 7'3 C Connor Vanover, who I've posted about here before. He backed off an early commitment to Memphis (thank goodness) and is now looking at Cal, among others. There'd be immediate playing time for him at Cal, and they have two other white freshman this year who should hopefully see expanded roles as sophomores next year.

Next, 6'8 Czech foward Jakub Dombek just committed to Colorado, who'll have three white players getting meaningful time next year!

https://247sports.com/player/jakub-dombek-46054489

Finally, we have 6'8 forward Bryce Golden, who backed off an early Pitt pledge. I found a short highlight video of him; he seems to be an active and bouncy forward who's around the basket. Among the schools he's considering are Butler, Syracuse, and Wichita State, with a couple of others. I'd be happy to see him go to either of these three.

Bryce Golden


https://247sports.com/player/bryce-golden-91430