We are entering the extremely cold months up north but on the recruiting scene, some of the top seniors nationally that have yet to commit to a program continue to see their stock soar as needed and prioritized prospects. We have recently run down the top three available prospects from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, but nationally, these three prospects could hold the keys to the 2016-2017 college basketball season. Corey Evans looks at the top trio in America in today’s 3@3.

Josh Jackson, Prolific Prep: One of the best defenders that the amateur realm has seen for some time now, the 6-foot-7 small forward hangs his hat on his motor, versatility, and ability to defend practically any spot on the playing floor. While he is far from a finished product as a perimeter scorer of the ball, the Detroit native, who is finishing out his prep career in California, is an elite defender who is just as good of a passer of the ball, especially in the open floor. A freak athlete with ideal tangibles, Jackson is a guy that could change of the face of the college basketball season with wherever he calls fit. Looking at the likes of Kansas, Michigan State, Maryland, and Arizona, Jackson may be the last prospect to commit and playing overseas for a year before entering his name into the NBA Draft is definitely not out of the picture, just as well.

Thon Maker, Athlete Institute: Quite possibly the most tantalizing prospect that the high school realm has ever seen, Maker seems to have his game headed back in the right direction. After a brief hiatus that saw his production fluctuate last winter, the Sudanese 7-footer is playing to his strengths. With an elite motor, impeccable agility for a guy his size, and a fine hard driver of the ball off the face-up and attack, the Canadian import can impact a game in various ways. Just like Jackson, there has been some talk about Maker playing somewhere overseas for a year and if he does opt to go the college route, the hard-nosed senior could be one of the last to commit, battling Jackson for this title. Regardless, Maker is a five-star prospect with a great basketball ceiling and is looking at the likes of Notre Dame, Kansas, Arizona State, Indiana, and St. John’s as potential landing spots for his services.

Marques Bolden, DeSoto High School:  One of the more polished back to the rim big men in all of America, Bolden has been a difficult read over the last few months. The 6-foot-10 big man has the perfect size and strength in competing at the highest level of basketball. He can score over either shoulder in the post and has slowly developed a nice face-up game from 15-feet and in. With great touch and hands within the interior, Bolden cleans his area on the glass and when engaged, is a special watch. The Lone Star State native had, at one time, thought to have been a Duke lean, and then Kansas lean, and now still uncommitted, is looking at the previously mentioned two blueblood programs, along with Alabama, Oklahoma, TCU, and a program gaining further ground with him in the Kentucky Wildcats.