 | |||||
|
ADVERTISEMENT | |
|
|
|
| |||||
| Rivals.com Home | Network Index | High School | Mobile | Video | Radio | RSS | Subscribe | Shop |  |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rivals.com Home
| | ||
 | |  |
| | ||
| | |
| | ||
| | |
| | ||
| | |
| | ||
| | |
| | ||
| | |
| | ||
| | |
| | ||
| | |
|
August 15, 2006 After a busy year on the AAU circuit, a handful of players stated their case for top honors in Rivals.com's initial class of 2008 rankings. We spent hours on the sidelines, went over dozens of pages of notes and sorted through stacks of evaluation tapes to identify the top prospects in the class.Greg Monroe, a 6-foot-10, 226-pound forward from Helen Cox High School in Harvey, La., emerged as the No. 1 player in the country. The left-handed big man was outstanding at the Nike All-American camp and dominated the 16 and under field at the Nike Peach Jam. "At 6-foot-10 and left-handed, Monroe can do a little bit of everything as a combo forward," Rivals.com National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Jerry Meyer said. "He handles and passes the ball in a way that makes you think about Lamar Odom, and then he has these broad shoulders and developing frame that makes you think about Dwight Howard. Capable of dominating defensively and on the glass, Monroe is also starting to extend his shooting range and develop the ability to score going right." A year ago, the top spot in the class belonged to Tyreke Evans. "Almost everyone is familiar with Tyreke Evans, and he is a very fine player. But after evaluating the 2008 class this summer, we feel that Greg Monroe is certainly the top prospect in the class," Meyer said. Jrue Holiday was brilliant in Las Vegas and other summer events. The 6-foot-3 combo guard has a complete offensive attack mixed with natural athletic ability. Holiday has a cerebral approach to the game and a world of potential. "It is Jrue Holiday's pure shooting ability, defensive prowess and explosive athleticism that gives him an edge over Tyreke Evans," Meyer said. "Both players handle and pass well. In fact, Evans gets a slight edge in that department. As combo guards, we feel both project primarily as shooting guards. Holiday's ability to create shots without the ball and with the ball work in his favor. It is astounding that Holiday is such a complete guard prospect as only a rising junior." B.J. Mullens, the only committed player in the top 20, might have the best pro potential of any player in the class. The future Ohio State Buckeye is an athletic 7-footer with a body that is beginning to fill out and a game that still has a high ceiling for improvement. "B.J. Mullens is a 7-footer who can run and shoot with range," Meyer said. "He represents the future of NBA big men." Evans is still held in high regard (No. 4) by Rivals.com. The Philadelphia native was outstanding at the Peach Jam and gave all comers a challenge each time out. The 6-foot-5 two guard has a full array of skills. The battle between Evans and Holiday for the top shooting guard spot will be fun to watch over the next two years. Rounding out the top five is versatile forward Delvon Roe, a 6-foot-8 forward from St. Edward High School in Euclid, Ohio. Like Monroe, Roe was outstanding at the Nike All-American camp and put on a show at the AAU Nationals in Orlando. Brandon Jennings is the top point guard in the class. He separated himself with his stellar play on the AAU trail with the dynamic Southern California All-Stars. Kentucky native Scotty Hopson quietly enjoyed a magnificent summer and cracks the top 10. Hopson is the top small forward in the class of 2008. The power forward group is strong as well. Samardo Samuels of St. Benedict's (N.J.), Virginia forward Ed Davis, Georgians Al-Farouq Aminu, Howard Thompkins and Tony Woods, D.C. area native Chris Braswell, Californians Drew Gordon and Matt Simpkins, Yancy Gates of Ohio and Xavier Gibson all headline a strong class of big men. |
Basketball Recruiting News More College Basketball Recruiting News | Video | Recruiting | Rivals 250 Rankings Recruiting Community: 155 fans online now  NCAAB MerchandiseFEATURED PRODUCT |
| Rivals.com is your source for: College Football | Football Recruiting | College Basketball | Basketball Recruiting | College Baseball | High School | College Merchandise Site-specific editorial/photos © Rivals.com. All rights reserved. This website is an unofficial and independently operated source of news and information not affiliated with any school or team. About | Advertise with Us | Contact | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Copyright/IP policy |