2019 Rankings Update: The Top 10
It’s been three and a half months since our last rankings update and with the season looming a month away and AAU having been over for a couple of months, it’s time to update our class rankings. These Seniors are…
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Continue ReadingIt’s been three and a half months since our last rankings update and with the season looming a month away and AAU having been over for a couple of months, it’s time to update our class rankings. These Seniors are one of the best groups we have seen in several years. There are multiple high major commitments already and there are several other players who will sign with D1 schools in the fall or spring. Here’s a breakdown of our updated top 10.
- Dontaie Allen, Pendleton County – The new number one ranked player hails from Falmouth and flew up the national rankings over the course of July. His recruitment ended with over 20 scholarship offers and a commitment to the University of Kentucky. Dontaie is the early favorite to win Mr. Basketball and is going to play in marquee games all over the state this season. When the 2019 rankings started, Dontaie was the top ranked player in the class. He now returns to the top spot but has plenty of competition for the top spot.
- David Johnson, Trinity – David is another high major commitment. The recent Louisville commit is a dynamic athlete and playmaker who continues improving as a shooter. David has been at or near the top of the class since he burst on the scene as a 15 year old at AAU state. Johnson should have a major boost in his individual stats this season as he will not have as much talent around him in his senior year for the Rocks.
- Dekeyvan Tandy, University Heights- Tandy is one of the most gifted offensive players we have seen in Kentucky in quite some time. KyKy is a bucket getter who can score at all three levels and uses his strength and athleticism to attack the rim with authority. Tandy could be the best potential college player in the class once he gets to Xavier and learns how to guard. Look for Tandy to be in the mix with Allen and Johnson in the race to be Mr. Basketball.
- Dieonte Miles, Walton-Verona – Four or five years from now we could be looking back and laughing at Miles’ ranking being this low. Dieonte has all the intangibles that pro scouts are looking for. He’s 6’10, super long and athletic and can stretch the floor with shooting. As his body matures and he adds muscle, don’t be surprised if Dieonte’s name is said on NBA draft day. That’s how high his ceiling is as a player.
- Isaiah Cozart, Madison Central – The big man from Richmond is going to shatter the state record for blocked shots before he graduates and heads to Western Kentucky. Fresh off his commitment to WKU, Isaiah holds steady at number 5 in the class rankings. Cozart had a remarkable summer, racking up nearly twenty scholarship offers in July including 9 in one day. He keeps improving offensively as he ages and Cozart has a high very high ceiling thanks to his 7’4 wingspan and defensive instincts.
- Michael Moreno, Scott County – Moreno is first and foremost a winning player. Michael makes winning plays thanks to a high basketball IQ. He’s an excellent rebounder and is at his best around the rim. Moreno has shown some floor stretching ability but his bread and butter is scoring on the low block. Michael has taken official visits to Winthrop and Eastern Kentucky but I wouldn’t expect a college decision until the spring.
- Kyle Rode, Lexington Christian – In almost any other class in Kentucky, we would talk about Kyle as the top player or at least top 3 but the depth in 2019 is impressive. Rode, like Moreno, has an off the charts basketball IQ. As a 6’7 point forward, Kyle knows how to run a team and can play any position on the floor. He also may be the most valuable player in Kentucky as he creates most of the offense for his LCA team.
- Jackson Harlan, Clinton County – Harlan is one of the state’s best pure scorers. Likely to be a 3 point specialist when he gets to WKU, Harlan does it all for Clinton County. He is the primary ballhandler and scorer and 90% of the offense runs through him. Coach Rick Stansbury fell in love with Jackson’s game at team camp this June and offered soon after. Jackson committed less than two weeks later. Look for Harlan to be the best player in the 4th region this season.
- Jacob Hobbs, Central Hardin – Jacob continues his crazy rise through the rankings and has cracked the top 10. When I first saw Hobbs back in January I thought he was a D2 type player and I am happy to say he proved me very wrong. Jacob’s crazy motor caught the eye of several coaches and he ended up with 3 D1 offers in July and chose to play college at Lipscomb. Jacob is a testament to how hard work and a great motor can help you achieve your dreams of earning Division 1 scholarships.
- JJ Kalakon, Waggener – The Top 10 is rounded out with Kalakon who, despite having a rough summer of AAU, is still a Division 1 caliber combo guard and one of the best isolation scorers in the state. JJ is long at 6’4 and a good athlete but his best attribute may be his ability to create off the dribble. If he wanted to be selfish, Kalakon could be among the top scorers in Kentucky but he prefers to create offense for others. If Waggener is going to make any noise in the 7th region, JJ is going to be the main reason why.