2019 Rankings: Loaded Class From Top To Bottom, Movement In Top Five
The 2019 class roars out of the grassroots season with plenty of momentum as this new batch of seniors look to make their mark on the Idaho basketball scene come prep season time.
As our rankings come out freshly updated following an eventful July period and now rounding out the summer, we see a shift in the top of the class not particularly with new names entering the mix, but with those who have been cemented at the top of class since last year.
Alton and Ure Move Up
At the top of this class is Boise’s Cole Alton. Alton recently earned an offer from Idaho State and looks to be gaining some real momentum as he enters his senior season for the Braves. Alton played huge last season for a very talented team in the 5A SIC, and will look to be at it again this upcoming prep season. Last season, Alton earned Second Team All 5A SIC honors and will no doubt improve upon those accolades.
Alton excelled this grassroots season playing with FLITE on Vallivue head coach Ryan Lundgren’s 17U team. Alton has used last season and now a very strong spring/summer with FLITE to fly up our rankings to the top spot for the 2019 class and is arguably the top player in the state heading into next prep season.
Ririe’s Michael Ure, whom earned a full ride offer from Montana Tech this summer and looks to be carrying plenty of momentum from his grassroots time playing for Utah Club Basketball Elite. Ure, a 6-foot-7 monster last season will look to enforce his will upon opposing teams yet again as he stakes his claim as a top 2019 prospect coming out of the summer.
With Montana Tech already on board, it will be interesting to see if others follow suit in the recruitment of this prime time player. Again, teams will be game planning for the big man, but like we have seen before, Ure will likely still get his both on the offensive side of the ball and of course, defensively. With a notable wingspan and extended shooting range, there isn’t much to dislike about his game, however, with some added bulk to his frame, Ure can be even more dangerous.
Guard depth remains a trend
There is so much to like about this class when it comes to guards because of the different styles of play and attacking nature that many of these prospects have. Starting first with Vallivue’s Amoro Lado, a very intriguing and perhaps the prospect with the highest ceiling out of this entire list. Lado hit the grassroots scene hard this past offseason with FLITE and looks to bring his athleticism to the forefront once again for head coach Ryan Lundgren and the Falcons.
Lado was First Team All 4A SIC last season and will make a run at Player of the Year once again. He is gaining elements with regards to his game and his shooting abilities are on the rise. With his typical tenacity on defense, there is no reason why Lado could even end up as the top prospect in this class at the end of the prep season.
Genesis Prep’s Jonny Hillman, a prime time winner and extremely talented guard is another to watch in the 2019s as he can move into the top spot as well. He has shown his ability to win big games and put up monster stats. More names include Borah’s Ellis Magnuson, Century’s Deshun Harwell, Columbia’s Jake Poulton, Timberline’s Andy Ford and Meridian’s Javen Woodall.
A few big men
We are still very much intrigued at what sort of player Genesis Prep’s Kon Ajang will blossom into. The 6-foot-9 shot blocker could have certainly even added more height over the offseason and if he added some more shooting skills to his game, then look out. Keep tabs on this guy, especially when it comes state tournament time again.
Minico’s Kobe Matsen took home First Team Great Basin honors last season and will look to be force on the hardwood once again. Minico boasts an interesting squad that could make some noise and Matsen will be at the forefront of that mix.
Twin Falls’ Mitchell Brizee could really explode this season as a senior and skyrocket up our rankings before all is said and done for the prep season. Another on the First Team Great Basin list, Brizee stands in the way of his competition, but can also lead his team to an even better finish overall quite easily. Paired with a teammate Ryan Ball, this team could pose real problems in the paint for opposing teams and Brizee should post some big numbers as a result.
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Stay tuned as our rankings continue to evolve and take shape entering the prep season, we are constantly updating our lists with chances for prospects to enter the fold year round.