Updated Vantage Hoops 2018 Rankings Overview
We’ve now had three years of high school and AAU basketball to break down the 2018 class, and things look much different then our first rankings of them two years ago. While rankings are always subject to change, especially with the reclass and transfer rate as it is, almost all of the players have improved whether they dropped or rose in our rankings.
When taking rankings into consideration, the Vantage Hoops team spends about a month contacting coaches and experts across the state to compile the list. There were over 250 kids we considered for the top 150, and the rankings reflect the next level potential of the prospects. Things taken into consideration include upside, high school production, head-to-head matchups, skill set on both sides of the ball and include intangibles such such as how recruitable a kid is based on grades, attitude and how coachable they are.
Here’s a broad overview of our rankings, taking a look at some of the trends we’ve seen so far. Stay tuned for more in depth breakdowns of the 2018 class and new 2019 and 2020 rankings on Vantage Hoops!
Changes in the Top 10
The biggest changes in the top 10 of the class came last year, when three top 10 players in Keldon Johnson (Huntington Prep), Keyontae Johnson (IMG Academy) and Rasir Bolton (Huntington Prep) all bolted for bigger opportunities elsewhere. While that left the class thin at the top at first, it just opened up opportunities for others to slide in.
The biggest jump last season came from Trinity Episcopal guard Jason Wade, who went from three offers to eleven after leading them to a state championship and having a good start for Boo Williams on the EYBL.
The guy we’re expecting to make the same kind of jump in recruitment this summer is Bishop O’Connell big man Quentin Millora-Brown, who comes in at 9 after hovering around the 20s the first three years.. The 6’9” big has developed nicely over the past three seasons, and with a big opportunity to show this summer he can be a dominant post player, expect him to at least double his offer total of five so far.
Wings and Guards Dominate April Live Periods
While the biggest recruit in the class, both physically and from a recruitment standpoint, is Oak Hill big man David McCormack, the biggest stock risers of the April live period seemed to be mostly wings and guards. Here’s a breakdown of some of the biggest stock risers from the first two live periods
#3) Jaelin Llewellyn | 6’3” PG | VES/Team Loaded VA | Total Offers: 16
New Offers: Penn State, UVA, George Washington, Purdue, Rhode Island, Georgia Tech, Harvard, Charlotte, Cincinatti, Georgetown
#7) Jason Wade | 6’5” CG | Trinity Episcopal/BWSL | Total Offers: 11
New Offers: ECU, Appalachian State, Quinnipiac
#13) Mac McClung | 6’1” PG | Gate City/Team Loaded VA | Total Offers: 22
New Offers: Elon, Cleveland State, Yale, College of Charleston, Rice, Tennessee Tech, Oakland, Murray State, Bucknell, ODU, Quinnipiac
#15) Miles Latimer | 6’2” CG | Paul VI/Team Takeover Orange | Total Offers: 9
New Offers: Bucknell, Lafayette, Quinnipiac, Brown, Boston University
#16) Dereon Seabron | 6’5” WG | Lake Taylor/Team Loaded 757 | Total Offers: 6
New Offers: Towson, JMU
#20) Sardarr Calhoun | 6’5” WG | Blue Ridge/Team Loaded VA | Total Offers: 4
New Offers: Quinnipiac, Canisius
#21) Cle’Von Greene | 6’2” CG | Williamsburg Christian/Team Loaded 757 | Total Offers: 3
New Offers: Central Connecticut State
#23) Matthew Urbach | 6’4” WG | WT Woodson/Team Takeover Orange | Total Offers: 1
New Offers: La Salle
Possible Summer Stock Risers
There are a few players who had good April live periods that should now be on college coaches’ recruitment radar moving forward this summer. Here’s just a few to be specific.
#19) DeAndre Thomas | 6’4 WG | Millwood/Team Richmond Garner Road
Thomas had a good junior season, and has built on that with a stellar start to the AAU season. He’s showing that he can play both guard positions, is versatile in multiple systems and has improved in a number of ways over the past few seasons.
#22) Tyrek Williams | 6’8” PF | LC Bird/River City Reign
Williams picked up his third offer from Youngstown State after Pitt JamFest, and it’s only a matter of time before he picks up more. As the focal point of the RCR attack, he’s shown toughness on the block, the ability to score in one-on-one post up situations and improvement on his passing and middle game.
#44 ) Malik Jefferson | 6’7” PF | Hopewell/Team Richmond Garner Road
Things are starting to click for Jefferson, who averaged a double-double for Hopewell this season. At 6’7” he has great length in the post, has shown a good motor on the glass on both ends of the post, is unselfish and can shoot it from 18 feet and in.
#46 ) Rahim Jenkins | 6’1” CG | LC Bird/River City Reign
If you’re seeing a theme, it’s because these two AAU programs have some of the best lesser known talent in the 804 area. Jenkins came off the bench for LC Bird’s state championship team with four senior guards that signed full scholarships, and now that it’s his turn he’s showing he can play too. A dynamic combo that can play on or off the ball, Jenkins plays with a chip and can flat out score the basketball from anywhere on the floor.
#56) Bassirou Diop | 6’7” PF/C | Bayside/Team Thrill
Athletic bigs are always a premium in recruiting, and the way that Diop has come along it’s no surprise he picked up his first offer from Hampton University a few weeks ago. He’s a defensive minded big man that runs the floor, eats the glass and swats everything in sight.
Breakdown by Position:
PG: 35
CG: 11
WG: 40
WF: 15
PF: 39
C: 10
Top 10 Overview
1) David McCormack | 6’10” C | Oak Hill Academy | Team Loaded VA |
2) Brandon Slater | 6’6″ WF | Paul VI | Team Takeover |
3) Jaelin Llewellyn | 6’3″ PG | Virginia Episcopal | Team Loaded VA |
4) Xavier Johnson | 6’2″ PG | Bishop O’Connell | Team Takeover |
5) Kenneth Nwuba | 6’10” PF | Oak Hill Academy | MBA Hoops |
6) Florent Thamba | 6’8″ PF | Mount Mission | Team United |
7) Jason Wade | 6’5″ CG | Trinity Episcopal | Boo Williams |
8) Max Johns | 6’5″ WG | Woodberry Forest | Stackhouse Elite |
9) Quentin Millora-Brown | 6’9″ PF | Bishop O’Connell | New World |
10) Jonathan Norfleet | 6’3 PG | Salem (VB) | Team Loaded NC |