Class of 2019: Climbers Part II
Two weeks of AAU are behind us. It is a perfect time to revisit the Class of 2019 rankings and adjust to account for the player’s growth and stagnation.
If you want to look at the complete rankings, smash here.
Climbers are either players previously undervalued or possibly players that developed their game in the last few months. Climbers Part I is also worth a read.
These players represent the six highest landing climbers (upward movement listed next to arrow on right of name).
#31 Trent Stephney ⇑11
Bearden’s Class AAA State Championship appearance sparkled. Ques Glover, Drew Pember, and Trent Stephney all climbed the charts. Pember recently added two D1 offers. While Ques glittered Stephney has a little more height. Stephney looks like a bouncy slasher with plus speed. College coaches will take him simply on speed and athleticism, but the scoring ability will vault him past his peers.
#36 Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander ⇑7
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (HHCA) bench player Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander still has not eclipsed the shadow of his NBA-bound older brother Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Thomasi added a New Mexico offer last week. He is one of the talented players on HHCA that will break out this spring during AAU season. Thomasi runs with UPlay Canada 17u.
#93 Jack Thurman ⇑2
Brentwood’s Jack Thurman reminds of Adam Morrison (Gonzaga) with the long, curly hair and solid mid-range game. Thurman has to get quicker feet to become a D1 guard. Offensively, he is a visionary passer with a broad-based skill foundation.
#99 Cameron Sims ⇑7
The Lynx of Lausanne Collegiate run out a half dozen college prospects. Sims was not a featured weapon, but at 6-foot-2 and springy he can surge given the right opportunity.
#108 Joe Howard ⇑-1
The single space fall for Siegel’s Joe Howard needs context. Previously, Howard rested at #107. This ranking cycle I added 95 new players. For Howard to even stay close to his previous ranking he needed to leapfrog 23 formerly ranked players. Howard now stands 6-foot-3 with frightening footspeed.
#132 Roman Robinson ⇑-31
Like Joe Howard, Roman Robinson leaped over formerly ranked players, but fell overall with the new additions. Roman is thin and quick at 6-foot-3. He needs to stretch his shooting range. Robinson’s game has a few whiffs of college prospect. Surely he needs a big summer to get a first college offer.