The last few weeks of high school basketball have been crazy full of many highlights and insane individual performances. Some of the big news was the Sierra Canyon vs Minnehaha Academy game at the target center with over 16,000 fans in attendance that’s more than the average amount of fans at a Minnesota Timberwolves game. Some more big news is freshman Mikey Williams who has been putting up amazing numbers averaging over 40 points per game. I also have an update on my previous blog post about who deserves to be the number one ranked player. Evan Mobley seemed to strike back at my previous accusations that he wasn’t playing at a high enough level by putting up a 45 point 20 rebound and 10 block triple double! This just shows that I may have spoken much to soon and that nobody should ever doubt Evan Mobleys game, he’s the number one ranked player in the nation for a reason
Top ten ranked high school basketball teams of 2020
Top ten teams
Best Players: Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes
Record: 7-0
2. Oak Hill Academy
Best Players: Cameron Thomas
Record: 29-1
3. IMG Academy
Best Players: Jalen Johnson, Jahzare Jackson
Record: 5-1
4. University of Fort Lauderdale
Best Players: Scottie Barnes
Record: 7-0
5. Sierra Canyon
Best Players: Bronny James, Zaire Wade
Record: 10-0
6. DeMatha
Best Players: Hunter Dickinson
Record: 6-2
7. Sunrise Christian Academy
Best Players: N’Faly Dante
Record: 4-5
8. La Lumiere
Best Players: Isaiah Stewart
Record: 4-0
9. McEachern
Best Players: Isaac Okoro, Sharife Cooper
Record: 8-1
10. Imhotep Charter
Best Players: Sammie Wylie
Record: 4-3
Who deserves the number one ranked spot in the 2020 high school basketball rankings?
Obviously based on the first post of my blog Evan Mobley is the number one ranked high school basketball player of 2020. However this ranking is the ESPN’s ranking and it’s based on his the stats of his junior year. There are many other very talented and deserving candidates to be the number one ranked player in the entire nation so why is Mobley currently number one? Mobley is a 7’0 center that can use his size to score anywhere around the basket. The reason why I think he is currently number one is obviously because of his size but also because he’s a big man and he already has a body that’s ready for the college and hopefully the NBA. Scouts love the big guys that get in the paint to play defense and score. I don’t think that Mobley should be the number one ranked high school player of 2020. Mobley hasn’t been very active on the court and it’s hard to find many highlights of him for the season but I also believe that a big man is chosen every year as the number one ranked player and personally I want to see the more skilled guards begin to get that spot. The two guards I would choose between would be the number two (Cade Cunningham) and number three (Jalen Green) ranked players because they are truly the best in the nation. Cade is putting up amazing numbers compared to his junior year not to mention he’s leading the number one ranked team in the nation, Montverde Academy who is currently undefeated. Jalen on the other hand might not be on the best of teams and he might not be undefeated but he is currently putting up amazing numbers and has showed everybody that he’s not just a high flying dunker but also a skilled basketball player who will be looking to the next level of basketball. If I had to choose between the two I would have to pick Cade Cunningham as the number one ranked player in the nation mostly because of his undefeated team and higher level of competition. I also wanted to add someone to the top ten list who I believe deserves it, his name is Josh Christopher a shooting guard from Mayfair Academy. Josh is a special talent who can score the ball with ease, he’s got a smooth handle and an even smoother shot. Josh is currently ranked at number eleven in the nation but I truly believe that he belongs much higher up in the rankings.
ESPN top ten high school basketball recruits of 2020
1. Evan Mobley
A 7’0” 205lbs center that plays for Rando Christian, Temecula California. Evan is a long and strong center who works underneath to use his size to score and play amazing defense around the basket. Evan is so tall and long that scoring for him is easy around the basket, his teammates will usually drive and dish it to him for the dunk or he cleans up the offensive rebound and gets the second chance points. On the defensive side of the ball Evan is a great shot blocker and he knows how to time the block until after it’s out of the players hands. I haven’t seen much of Evan lately but based upon his junior year I believe he is still going to be a high prospect. Although he will be a top prospect to say that he will remain the number one prospect is questionable to me
2. Cade Cunningham
A 6’7” 215lbs point guard that plays for Montverde Academy, Montverde Florida. Cade is a big athletic point guard that can move the ball and be a leader on the court. Cade is a good finisher around the rim that uses his strength, size, and creativity to finish around the rim, add the fact that he’s a good three point shooter and passer makes him a great fit for the point guard position. Cade has made great strides to becoming a playmaker and leader over the summer and I feel he is going to have a great season proving that he truly is the best point guard in the nation
3. Jalen Green
A 6’5” 180lbs shooting guard that plays for Prolific Prep Fresno, California. Jalen is an explosive guard with insane vertical bounce. Jalen is long and athletic so he’s very good at getting to the rim and by using his athleticism and body control he is also excellent at finishing around the rim. What also makes him deadly is his three point shot which not only adds another skill set to his game but also keeps the defense on their toes, by combining his two skill sets he is a very deadly offensive threat out on the court. Jalen has added many weapons to his game and I feel like he has a chip on his shoulder to go out and prove that he really is the best shooting guard in the nation
4. Jalen Johnson
A 6’8” 210lbs small forward that plays for IMG Academy, Bradenton Florida. Jalen is a strong and athletic small forward that plays above the rim. Jalen has a good handle and is able to get to the rim with his first quick step. Jalen is so athletic that once he gets to the rim it’s easy for him to finish or dunk. Jalens also got a smooth three point shot that’s been looking on point.
5. Zaire Williams
A 6’8” 180lbs small forward that plays for. Zaire is an undersized small forward but he’s uses his craftiness to make up for that. Zaire has a smooth three point shot and has shown that he loves to use his long build to step back and hit the threes in his opponents face. Zaire can also get by his defender with his first step to get to the rim and finish. Definitely one of my favorite players to watch
6. Jalen Suggs
A 6’4” 195lbs point guard that plays for. Jalen is on the bigger size for a point guard but he’s not too tall or too short he’s got the perfect build for an athletic point guard. Jalen is a good playmaker and overall shooter. Jalen is also a good ball handler so he’s able to get by his man and get to the rim for the athletic finish.
7. Terrence Clarke
A 6’7” 190lbs power forward that plays for Brewster Academy. Terrence is a very athletic and special basketball player. Terrence is tall and lanky so he’s pretty good around the rim. Terrence doesn’t seem to have a great three point shot but he sure can get to the rim and dunk. Terrence has a great vertical and can dunk like a mad man
8. Scottie Barnes
A 6’7” 210lbs small forward that plays for Montverde Academy. Scottie is a very versatile player that can play multiple positions. Scottie uses his handles and first step to get by his man. Scottie is athletic so once he gets by his man he could either go up for the dunk or finish around the rim with contact. Although he hasn’t showed if he has a three point shot or not I believe that he could possibly develop one over time and just add to his arsenal.
9. Greg Brown
A 6’8” 205lbs power forward that plays for. Greg is one of the most athletic players on this list. Greg is a good size power forward that jumps out the gym and has handles. Greg is not only just a dunker but he can also shoot and work down low. On the defensive side of the ball he can block shots and defend most of the positions on the court
10. Makur Maker
A 6’11” 235lbs center that plays for center. Makur is a big center that plays like a guard. Makur has great handles for his size and can get by his man.
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