- Emoni Bates
Class of 2022
Ypsilanti Lincoln
Any time that you’re a 6’8 seventh grader who’s getting compared to Kevin Durant you’re going to gain some national attention. That’s certainly been the case for 14-year-old Emoni Bates. Two years ago he was being regarded as the top seventh grader in the country and all eyes will be on him as he suits up for his freshman year at Ypsilanti Lincoln as one of the nation’s top ninth graders. Bates is already on the national radar of some division one powerhouses as Michigan and Michigan State have already started courting the 14-year-old. It will be interesting to see if Bates is worth his weight in gold.
- Shaqir O’Neal
Class of 2021
Crossroads
Big Bro Reef is gone and will be starting his freshman year at UCLA this fall which means it’s now officially Shaqir’s time to shine. Looking to defend last year’s California State Championship all eyes will be on what Shaqir can do this year. Already 6’2 at 15 years old with a skill set similar to Shareef O’Neal all high school basketball fans (and college scouts) will be looking to see if Shaqir is worth the hype.
- Julian Newman
Class of 2019
Downey Christian High School
Julian Newman can BALL. Period. Forget about his size, doubters and critics just look at the highlight reels and you can see this kid is a really special talent. He has Kyrie’s handles with Steph Curry’s range. Newman doesn’t have many D1 offers yet. That will most likely add even more fuel to his fire for his senior season.
- Jalen Lecque
Class of 2019
Brewster Academy
Tiny Archibald, Rod Strickland, Kemba Walker and now add Jalen Lecque to the list of extraordinary basketball talents from the Bronx. Lecque has long been regarded as high school basketball’s version of John Wall because of his blinding speed, out of this world athleticism and devastating poster dunks. The four-star point guard has already received offers from the likes of Louisville, UCLA, and Oregon this might be the mask offseason for Lecque.
- LaMelo Ball
Class of 2019
Junior Baller Association
Yes I know Melo technically isn’t in high school but if he goes to the NBA these guys will more than likely be in his draft class. Forget the press, the signature sneakers and reality shows for one second and focus on the fact that Melo is really a hooper. Some of his stat lines in the inaugural season of the JBA were staggering. Whether Melo returns to high school or not still remains to be seen though isn’t likely as he’s played in two professional leagues already between Lithuania and Lavar Ball’s JBA. Regardless of where he plays this upcoming fall he’ll still be one of the more interesting baby ballers to follow.
- Zaire Wade
Class of 2020
American Heritage School
When you’re the son of an NBA Legend and the stepson of one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood naturally, a lot of eyes are going to be on you. Zaire Wade has done an amazing job of making his first name more known than his second when it comes to his game. Although he is the oldest son of 3-time NBA Champion Dwyane Wade, Zaire has been receiving national attention since middle school and its been because of his game, not his name. A shifty point guard who might already be a better shooter than pops from the class of 2020, Zaire is already on the radar of Division I powerhouses as he already has visited Michigan State. Zaire will definitely be looking to up the ante in his junior year, be on the lookout for him.
- Kenyon Martin Jr.
Class of 2019
Sierra Canyon High School
Kenyon Martin Jr. is a breath of fresh air when it comes to the game of basketball period. His game is just so ferocious his highlights will just have you in awe see above. KMJ is one of the best ballers in the 2019 class and will be looking to help deliver Sierra Canyon back to back state titles. The power forward has already received offers from the likes of Georgetown, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Memphis. Look for him to have a great 2019 campaign.
- Jalen Green
Class of 2020
San Joaquin Memorial High School
There’s no way Jalen Green could not be top three on any list having anything to do with high school basketball. The five-star number one shooting guard in the country Jalen Green is definitely the goods and when you’re receiving Kobe Bryant comparisons you better be. He’ll be looking to improve even more during his junior year campaign as the offers keep flying in for the 2020 guard.
- Cassius Stanley
Class of 2019
Sierra Canyon High School
What can you say about Cassius Stanley that hasn’t already been said? The two words that can describe him best, DON’T JUMP. Cassius Stanley is an athletic wing who can throw it down on anybody and is the leader of the Sierra Canyon powerhouse. He’s already received offers from UCLA, Arizona, Oregon, and Kansas. The forward will be looking to show us even more in his senior season
1.Cole Anthony
Oak Hill
Class of 2019
Anybody who has followed high school basketball can tell you Cole Anthony is one of the best high school basketball players ever. He’s ranked number two in his class but there’s an argument to be made when it comes to that when you watch his game. The combo guard made a big decision this summer to leave NYC’s Archbishop Molloy and join national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy where the likes of Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant have played. He has already received offers from all of the college basketball blue bloods. Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, and Kentucky have all extended offers to the class of 2019 guard. It will be interesting to see if he can help deliver one of the high school basketball blue bloods, Oak Hill yet another high school national championship.
What about Bronny James, LeBron’s son who plays at Crossroads with Shaqir.