A breakdown of the top high school 2008 basketball standouts.
With the NBA implementing a minimum age restriction of 19 years old last year, high school basketball prospects will have to play at the college ranks for at least one season. That's no problem for college men's basketball fans, who have enjoyed watching the likes of former freshmen phenoms, like former Ohio State center Greg Oden, former Texas University forward Kevin Durant and others the past couple seasons.
Next year's crop of freshmen talent promises to be as enticing as this years that features Kansas State forward Michael Beasley, Memphis point guard Derrick Rose and USC combo-guard OJ Mayo. Here are the top 2008 high school basketball recruits for each position.
Center
- Samardo Samuels, 6-8 240lbs, St. Benedict Prep: Samuels will bring his low post scoring to the Louisville Cardinals next season. He was an All-Star at the Nike Camp as a freshman and reminds many of a younger, smaller version of Eddy Curry. He needs to improve his mid-range game and become a more consistent defender, but he has great upside and should help Louisville after reaching the elite eight in 2008.
Power Forward
- Greg Monroe, 6-10 220lbs, Cox, Helen, Junior HS: Some consider Monroe to be the top prospect going into the 2008-2009 season. He has great length, is a solid rebounder and loves the mid-range game. He's committed to Georgetown, and it's too bad that center Roy Hibbert is a senior and will have to leave after this season, because the two would make for a great pair. He needs to develop more of a post game.
Small Forward
- Demar DeRozan, 6-6 180lbs, Compton HS: DeRozan is committed to USC next year, which makes it appropriate that OJ Mayo is planning on entering the NBA Draft. DeRozan is extremely explosive and athletic, and should fill the void left by Mayo. Needs to work on outside shooting.
Shooting Guard
- Jrue Holiday, 6-3 180lbs, Campbell Hall: Holiday is committed to UCLA and will take his versatility to a team that's already tasted success in recent years. If current freshman Kevin Love decides to stay, as well as the other stars on that team, the Bruins could be very, very good again.
Point Guard
- Brandon Jennings, 6-1 170lbs, Oak Hill Academy: Oak Hill is known for producing basketball stars and Jennings is no exception. He'll take his quickness and passing abilities to Arizona, which makes one wonder if current freshman Jerryd Bayless might be on his way to the NBA after just one season.
Others to Watch
- PG. Malcolm Lee, 6-4 165lbs, Committed to UCLA
- PG. Kemba Walker, 6-0 165lbs, Committed to Connecticut
- SG. Tyreke Evans, 6-6 190lbs, Undecided
- SG. William Buford, 6-4 180lbs, Committed to Ohio State
- SF. Al-Farouq Aminu, 6-8 195lbs, Committed to Wake Forest
- SF. Scotty Hopson, 6-5 180lbs, Undecided
- PF. Delvon Roe, 6-8 220lbs, Committed to Michigan State
- PF. Ed Davis, 6-8 215lbs, Committed to North Carolina
- C. B.J. Mullens, 7-0 255lbs, Committed to Ohio State
- C. Michael Dunigan, 6-9 240lbs, Committed to Oregon
Sources consulted:
- "Recruits", Scouthoops.com, Accessed on 1 April, 2008.
- "Basketball recruits", RivalsHoops.com, Accessed on 1 April, 2008.
The copyright of the article 2008 Top Basketball Prep Recruits in College Basketball is owned by Phil Partington. Permission to republish 2008 Top Basketball Prep Recruits must be granted by the author in writing.
