2018 Class Rankings Breakdown: New Top 5, Risers and Small College Sleepers
With our latest release of the 2018 class rankings, there is plenty to breakdown as we have had a lot of movement in the rankings since our last update in August of last year.
Below is a break down via four categories, “A New Top 5,” “Risers,” “Small College Sleepers,” and “Potential Movers.” As always, PHKY will continue to track and follow the state’s top talent and stay up to date on players who deserve and earn a boost up the rankings as they continue to take shape. Stay tuned!
A New Top 5
We have had a significant shift in the top 5 since the start of the high school season. Belmont signee Adam Kunkel has risen from the number 6 spot to the top of the class rankings, passing more established names in the process. Kunkel really started becoming a more common name when he scored his first couple of D1 offers in the summer after his sophomore year at Cooper. Since then, he blew up this past AAU season and ultimately decided to sign with the Bruins of Belmont. Adam’s shooting numbers are impressive and it is starting to look like Cooper can contend for the state title once again.
Andrew Taylor (Corbin) maintained his spot at #2 in the rankings. The point guard is committed to continue his basketball career at Furman starting in the fall. Taylor is wired to score and averages 28.4 points per game on an impressive 52.5% from the field. Taylor is also pulling down over 10 rebounds per game for a Corbin squad that many expect to play at Rupp Arena in March.
Trevon Faulkner (Mercer County) also held steady in the new rankings. The smooth lefty checks in at #3 again. Faulkner will likely hold every major record at Mercer County when he graduates. On the year, Faulkner is averaging 26.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game for the Titans. After his career at Mercer ends, Trevon will take his skill set to Northern Kentucky University where he should compete for significant playing time as a freshman.
Mickey Pearson (John Hardin) moves up a spot from 5 to 4 in the newest update. The 6’7 wing/stretch 4 has already signed to play his college ball for Travis Ford at Saint Louis University. Mickey is putting up huge numbers in his senior season. Pearson averages 28.2 points per game to go with 10.8 rebounds.He’s also shooting 41.4% from behind the 3 point line. Like Kunkel, Taylor and Faulkner, Pearson’s team should be favored to win their region at this point in the season.
CJ Fredrick (Covington Catholic) tumbles from #1 overall to #5 but not because of a lack of production. The 4 players who moved ahead of the Iowa signee are all putting up better individual numbers than Fredrick. Covington Catholic has not been the force we thought they would be with two high major signees. CJ is averaging 21.3 points per game but it could be argued that fellow senior Aiden Ruthsatz is the most valuable player for the Colonels as opposed to Fredrick and future Xavier Center Jake Walter.
Risers
There has been some movement in the rankings since our last update and there are several kids who are on the verge of being top 10-20 players the 2018 class. In 5 years, we may look back and see that some of these guys have had impressive 4 year careers in college and should have been ranked higher:
De’Torrion Ware (Christian County), Eric Boone (Bryan Station), MeKell Burries (Newport), Jarius Key (Bowling Green), Markelo Sullivan (Fairdale), Stephon Franklin (Doss) and Malik Wright (John Hardin)
Small College Sleepers
There are many kids who have the potential to be very good college players despite being lower in our rankings. Each of these players in this group can lead their team in numerous statistical categories on any given night, and will likely continue to put up solid numbers as the season rolls along.
Clint Wickliffe (Fern Creek), Jalen Johnson (Hopkinsville), Curt Lewis (Valley), Bryce Slone (Boyle County), Devin Young (South Oldham), JaQuay Wales (Butler), Gerald Gray (PRP)
Potential Movers
There are several players who could move way up the rankings depending on how the rest of their senior season goes. Whether it’s their scoring ability, averaging a double double or the athleticism and ability they possess, all of these kids could make big moves up the rankings by our next update.
Jobby Howard (Caverna), Will Philpot (George Rogers Clark), Leevi Dunaway (Mason County), Michael Burns (Butler), Ahmad Price (Fern Creek)