Tennessee consistently produces talented basketball prospects year in and year out. From Memphis to Nashville and everywhere else in the Volunteer state, productive players are being groomed.

Our friend Andre Whitehead recently updated his Tennessee rankings for the 2016 class. With a couple of blue-chip prospects transferring to prep schools out of the state, the list looks a little different. However, two national names are at the top.

CLICK HERE FOR POST TRAVEL SEASON 2016 TENNESSEE RANKINGS

FAMILIAR NAMES AT THE TOP

Abdulhakim Ado, a talented power forward from Chattanooga (TN) Hamilton Heights, sits at the top of the list. Arlington (TN) Bolton’s star point guard, Jaylen Fisher, is right behind him. 

“The potential for Ado is unlimited. Everything he does is primarily based off athleticism and instincts right now. He’s going to improve when he gets to college with the weight program and constant skill work,” Whitehead told HoopSeen.com. 

Memphis, Louisville, Tennessee, and a handful of other schools have kept close tabs on Ado since his emergence last summer. He is one of the most sought-after big men in the Southeast.

“I really like Fisher. He creates the tempo and his shot is improving. He has a great motor and is really aggressive. He makes things a lot easier for shooters with his penetrating ability.”

Fisher recently cut his list down to six schools: Memphis, UNLV, Baylor, Arkansas, Indiana, and LSU. He expects to have a decision soon.

Ensworth point guard Jordan Bone checks in at No. 3, while Oregon football-commit Dillon Mitchell follows him at No. 4. Arlington sharpshooter Nathan Hoover rounds out the top 5.  

SCHOOLS KEEPING TALENT IN-STATE

Memphis has done a great job of keeping the talent inside the city. They will look to do that with Fisher, but a couple of other Tennessee programs have done a great job of protecting their backyard.

Lipscomb has commitments from Franklin (TN) Road Academy point guard Kenny Cooper (9) and Cleveland (TN) Walker Valley forward Kenny Bunton (14). 

Belmont also secured a commitment from Fayetteville (TN) point guard Nick Hopkins. 

Expect other Tennessee programs to reel in some more in-state talent.

SURPRISE SEASONS?

Each year, a couple of players surprise everyone with big high school seasons. With several under-the-radar prospects in this set of rankings, Whitehead feels like a couple of guys could breakout and be household names by Christmas.

“Yalen Reed is a kid to watch. He has always been a post player but he’s working on his wing skills. He’s a guy that could really be a sleeper.”

“No one had ever heard of Jalen Dupree before Peach Jam with Team Penny. He had a big coming out party there this summer. He could be a solid mid-major guy with a great motor.”