Top 30 Recruiting Classes/FYI

[50's PONY]

November 10, 2009
Recruiter’s Notebook: Hoopmasters Fall Top Thirty Classes...
By Van Coleman [email protected]

The November Signing Period begins on Wednesday and its time we take our first look at this fall’s top classes as Ohio State leads our list as we enter the signing period…

There are still fifteen of our top thirty seniors still uncommitted at this point, but despite that we felt it was time to take our first look at Hoopmasters Fall 2009 Top 30 Recruiting Classes: for the 2009-10 season.

As we get ready to enter the fall signing period, Ohio State holds a commanding early lead and will be tough to catch. Unless someone can pull off a couple fall additions in the same class from the above mentioned available top thirty talents. We aren't expecting that to happen, but won't rule it out at this point. We will be updating the rankings daily, so you can see how the signings affect our rankings as they happen. With that in mind, here's our first cut look at the Hoopmasters Fall 2009 Top 30 Recruiting Classes:

Hoopmasters Top 30 Classes -

1. Ohio State 6 Recruits: Jared Sullinger, 6-8, PF, Columbus (Northland) OH; Deshaun Thomas, 6-8, WF, Ft. Wayne (Bishop Luers) IN; Jordan Sibert, 6-4, WG, Cincinnati (Princeton) OH; Lenzelle Smith, 6-4, WG, Zion (Zion-Benton) IL; Aaron Craft, 6-3, WG, Findlay (Liberty Benton) OH; J.D. Weatherspoon, 6-6, PF, Columbus (Northland) OH.

2. Memphis 4 Recruits: Joe Jackson, 6-0, PG, Memphis (White Station) TN; Will Barton, 6-6, WF, Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH; Chris Crawford, 6-4, WG, Memphis (Sheffield) TN; Antonio Barton, 6-0, PG, Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA.

3. Wake Forest 5 Recruits: J.T. Terrell, 6-3, WG, Charlotte (West Charlotte) NC; Travis McKie, 6-7, WF, Richmond (Marshall) VA; Tony Chennault, 6-0, PG, Philadelphia (Neumann-Goretti) PA; Melvin Tabb, 6-7, PF, Raleigh (Enloe) NC; Carson Desrosiers, 6-9, C, Lawrence (Central Catholic) MA.

4. Syracuse 4 Recruits: Fab Melo, 7-0, C, Weston (Sagemont) FL; Dion Waiters, 6-2, WG, Burlington (Life Center) NJ; Baye Moussa Kieta, 6-10, C, Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA; C.J. Fair, 6-7, PF, Wolfeboro (Brewster Academy) NH.

5. Virginia 5 Recruits: James Johnson, 6-9, PF, Wildomar (Elsinore) CA; Will Regan, 6-8, PF, Buffalo (Nichols School) NY; K.T. Harrell, 6-4, Montgomery (Brewbaker Tech) AL; Akil Mitchell, 6-7, WF, Charlottesville (Christian) VA; Joe Harris, 6-5, WG, Chelan (H.S.) WA.

6. Duke 3 Recruits: Kyrie Irving, 6-2, PG, Elizabeth (St. Patrick) NJ; Josh Hairston, 6-8, PF, Rockville (Montrose Christian) MD; Tyler Thornton, 6-1, PG, Washington (Gonzaga) DC.

7. Michigan State 4 Recruits: Keith Appling, 6-3, PG, Detroit (Pershing) MI; Adreian Payne, 6-10, C, Dayton (Jefferson) OH; Russell Byrd, 6-5, WG, Ft. Wayne (Blackhawk Christian) IN; Alex Gauna, 6-9, C, Eaton Rapids (H.S.) MI.

8. N.C. State 3 Recruits: Ryan Harrow, 6-0, PG, Marietta (Walton) GA; Lorenzo Brown, 6-4, WG, Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA; Marquez "Luke" Cothron, 6-9, C, Red Springs (Flora MacDonald Academy) NC.

9. South Carolina 5 Recruits: Damontre Harris, 6-9, PF, Fayetteville (Trinity) NC; Bruce Ellington, 5-10, PG, Monack Center (Berkeley) SC; Eric Smith, 6-0, PG, Mullins (H.S.) SC; R.J. Slawson, 6-8, PF, North Charleston (Ft. Dorchester) SC; Brian Richardson, 6-5, WG, Wilson (Greenville) NC.

10. Oklahoma State 4 Recruits: J.P. Olukemi, 6-6, WF, Vincennes (JC) IN: Michael Cobbins, 6-9, PF, Amarillo (Palo Duro) TX; Markel Brown, 6-4, WG, Alexandria (Peabody) LA; Brian Williams, 6-5, WF, Baton Rouge (Glen Oaks) LA.

11. Illinois 3 Recruits: Jereme Richmond, 6-7, WF, Waukegan (H.S.) IL; Meyers Leonard, 6-11, C, Robinson (H.S.) IL; Crandall Head, 6-4, WG, Richton Park (Rich South) IL.

12. Marquette 3 Recruits: Vander Blue, 6-3, PG, Madison (Memorial) WI; Monterale Clark, 6-10, C, Hill (JC) TX; Jamail Jones, 6-6, PF, Montverde (Academy) FL.

13. USC 5 Recruits: Dwayne Polee, 6-7, WF, Los Angeles (Westchester) CA; Bryce Jones, 6-5, WG, Woodland Hills (Taft) CA; Garrett Jackson, 6-7, WF, Portland (Westview) OR; Curtis Washington, 6-9, C, Elizabethtown (H.S.) KY; Maurice Jones, 5-7, PG, Saginaw (Arthur Hill) CA.

14. California 4 Recruits: Gary Franklin, 6-2, WG, Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA; Richard Solomon, 6-8, PF, Los Angeles (Price) CA; Allen Crabbe,6-4, WG, Los Angeles (Price) CA; Alex Rossi, 6-5, WG, Winnetka (New Trier) IL.

15. Stanford 5 Recruits: Dwight Powell, 6-10, PF, Bradenton (Pendleton School) FL; Anthony Brown, 6-6, WF, Huntington Beach (Ocean View) CA; Aaron Bright, 5-11, PG, Bellevue (H.S.) WA; John Gage, 6-8, PF, Vashon (Vashon Island) WA; Josh Huestis, 6-7, WF, Great Falls (Russell) MT.

16. LSU 4 Recruits: Andre Stringer, 5-10, PG, Jackson (Forest Hill) MS; Ralston Turner, 6-6, WF, Muscle Shoals (H.S.) AL; Matt Derenbecker, 6-7, WF, Metairie (Metairie Park Country Day) LA; Jalen Courtney, 6-8, PF, Jackson (Provine) MS.

17. North Carolina 2 Recruits: Reggie Bullock, 6-5, WF, Kinston (H.S.) NC; Kendall Marshall, 6-4, PG, Arlington (Bishop O'Connell) VA.

18. Iowa 4 Recruits: Cody Larson, 6-8, PF, Sioux Falls (Roosevelt) SD; Ben Brust, 6-2, WG, Mundelein (H.S.) IL; Zach McCabe, 6-7, WF, Sioux City (Bishop Heelan) IA; Roy Marble, 6-5, WG, Lathrup Village (Southfield-Lathrup) IL.

19. Florida State 3 Recruits: Bernard James, 6-9, PF, Tallahassee (JC) FL; Okaro White, 6-8, PF, Clearwater (H.S.) FL; Ian Miller, 6-3, WG, Charlotte (United Faith Christian Academy) NC.

20. UCLA 2 Recruits: Josh Smith, 6-9, C, Kent (Kentwood), WA; Tyler Lamb, 6-4, WG, Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA.

21. Auburn 4 Recruits: Anthony Salters, 5-11, PG, Iowa Western (JC) IA; Heath Houston,6-6, PF, Powder Springs (Hillsgrove) GA; Adrian Forbes, 6-8, PF, Trinity Valley (JC) TX; Jalen Steele, 6-2, WG, Knoxville (Fulton) TN.

22. Arkansas 3 Recruits: Marvell Waithe, 6-9, PF, Tallahassee (JC) FL; Rickey Scott, 6-4, WG, Irving (MacArthur) TX; Mardracus Wade, 6-3, WG, Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA.

23. Purdue 4 Recruits: Travis Carroll, 6-11, C, Danville (Community) IN; Donnie Hale, 6-8 PF, New Albany (H.S.) IN; Anthony Johnson, 6-3, WG, Chicago (Whitney Young) IL; Terone Johnson, 6-2, WG, Indianapolis (North Central) IN.

24. Dayton 5 Recruits: Juwan Staten, 5-10, PG, Mouth of Wilson (Oak Hill) VA; Brandon Spearman, 6-3, WG, Chicago (Simeon) IL; Ralph Hill, 6-6, PF, Westerville (North) OH; Jesse Berry, 6-1, WG, Lafayette (Jefferson) IN; Devin Oliver, 6-5, WF, Kalamazoo (Central) MI.

25. Maryland 3 Recruits: Terrence Ross, 6-6, WF, Rockville (Montrose Christian) MD; Mychal Parker, 6-5, WG, Charlottesville (The Miller School) VA; Terrell Stoglin, 6-0, PG, Tucson (Santa Rita) AZ.

26. Florida 2 Recruits: Patric Young, 6-8, PF, Jacksonville (Providence School) FL; Casey Prather, 6-6, WF, Jackson (Northside) TN.

27. Baylor 2 Recruits: Perry Jones, 6-8, PF, Duncanville (H.S.) TX; Bakari Turner, 6-3, WG, Duncanville (H.S.) TX.

28. Florida International 3 Recruits: Dominique Ferguson, 6-9, PF, Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA; Phil Taylor, 5-8, PG, Marietta (Wheeler) GA; Dejuan Wright, 6-4, WG, Gillette (JC) WY.

29. Alabama 3 Recruits: Trevor Releford, 5-11, PG, Kansas City (Bishop Miege) KS; Charles Hankerson, 6-5, WG, Miami (Coral Reef) FL; Shawn Kemp, 6-8, PF, Chatham (Hargrave Military) VA.

30. Texas A&M 3 Recruits: Tobi Oyedeji, 6-8, PF, Houston (Bellaire) TX; Daniel Alexander, 6-9, PF, Dripping Springs (H.S.) TX; Keith Davis, 6-9, C, De Soto (H.S.) TX.

Near Misses & Potential Breakthroughs -

Missouri 3 Recruits: Phil Pressey, 5-8, PG, Dallas (Episcopal School of Dallas) TX; Ricky Kreklow, 6-5, WG, Columbia (Rock Bridge) MO; Kadeem Green, 6-8, PF, Creedmoor (United Faith Christian) NC.

Notre Dame 3 Recruits: Eric Atkins, 6-1, PG, Baltimore (Mt. St. Joseph's) MD; Jerian Grant, 6-5, WF, Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD; Alex Dragicovich, 6-6, WG, Northbrook (Glenbrook North) IL.

Tennessee 2 Recruits: Jordan McRae, 6-4, WG, Hinesville (Liberty County) GA; Trae Golden, 6-2, WG, Powder Springs (McEachern) GA.

Georgetown 2 Recruits: Nate Lubick, 6-8, PF, Southborough (St. Mark's) MA; Markel Starks, 6-1, PG, Bethesda (Georgetown Prep) MD.

Xavier 4 Recruits: Jay Canty, 6-4, WG, Oak Ridge (Military) VA; Justin Martin, 6-7, WF, Beckley (Mountain State University Academy) WV; Jordan Latham, 6-8, PF, Baltimore (City College) MD; Griffin McKenzie, 6-9, PF, Cincinnati (Moeller) OH.

Oklahoma 2 Recruits: Cameron Clark, 6-5, WF, Sherman (H.S.) TX; T.J. Taylor, 6-3, WG, Denison (H.S.) TX.

Arizona State 3 Recruits: Keala King, 6-5, WF, Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA; Jordan Bachynski, 7-0, C, Calgary (Centennial) AB; Corey Hawkins, 6-3, WG, Goodyear (Estrella Foothills) AZ.

Providence 3 Recruits: Gerard Coleman, 6-3, WG, Tilton (School) NH; Ron Giplaye, 6-7, PF, Fitchburg (Notre Dame) MA; Joseph Young, 6-2, WG, Houston (Yates) TX.

Villanova 2 Recruits: Markus Kennedy, 6-8, C, Winchendon (School) MA; James Bell, 6-5, WF, Montverde (Academy) FL.

Oregon State 2 Recruits: Ahmad Starks, 5-8, PG, Chicago (Whitney Young) IL; Devon Collier, 6-8, PF, Jersey City (St. Anthony) NJ.

Best of the Rest -

Wisconsin (3) Recruits / DePaul (3) Recruits / New Mexico (2) Recruits / Michigan (2) Recruits / Virginia Tech (2) Recruits / Connecticut (2) Recruits / UTEP (4) Recruits / Boston University (7) Recruits / Idaho (4) Recruits / Kansas State (2) Recruits / Seton Hall (2) Recruits / Boston College (3) Recruits / Pennsylvania (6) Recruits / St. Joseph's (3) Recruits / Texas Tech (3) Recruits / Vanderbilt (3) Recruits / Mississippi (2) Recruits / Pittsburgh (2) Recruits / Louisiana Tech (2) Recruits / Yale (5) Recruits / Central Michigan (4) Recruits / Richmond (3) Recruits / Longwood (5) Recruits / Liberty (3) Recruits / Wright State (4) Recruits / Kent State (4) Recruits / Fairfield (3) Recruits / Drake (3) Recruits / Butler (3) Recruits / Long Beach State (3) Recruits / Colorado State / Indiana (2) Recruits / Minnesota (2) Recruits)Miami (OH) / Northern Iowa (2) Recruits.

Editor's Note: We didn't include schools in our rankings that signed only one player at this point. Schools like Texas, Arizona, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, West Virginia, Penn State, East Carolina, Washington, and others could show up in our final fall rankings, but for now we are waiting to see if they add others before comparing them to classes with multiple signees.

We will continue to update these rankings as commitments and signings come in over the next couple weeks. Watch for those updates right here at the “Ultimate Source” Hoopmasters.com.