Updating Alabama's 2017 top 35 rankings
After a busy July evaluation period, Alabama's 2017 state rankings needed some small adjustments from top to bottom. The names at the top of the list make the 2017 class one of the best classes in recent memory, but talent flows throughout the top 35.
With that being said, we are excited to release our post-summer rankings for this talented group...
SAME NAMES, DIFFERENT TOP 5
Moundville, AL
Mae Jemison wing John Petty retains the No. 1 spot in the updated 2017 rankings. The 6-foot-5 scorer was an easy nod for the top spot, especially after Auburn commit Austin Wiley decided to go the prep school route for his senior season. Petty recently narrowed his college list to five schools: Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas, Florida State, and UConn.
While the same names follow behind Petty, each have new seats at the head of the table. Hale County wing Herb Jones used a phenomenal July to propel himself to the No. 2 spot in the state. A lengthy option on the wing, Jones silenced any critics about his shooting and scoring ability, as he was a constant offensive threat in Augusta and Orlando.
The Team Carroll frontcourt duo of Garrison Brooks and Alex Reese follow in at No. 3 and No. 4. Brooks dominated the paint with his post play during the summer, picking up dozens of new offers and interest from coast to coast. The versatile Reese cut his list of schools to Alabama, Arizona State, Cincinnati, Georgia, and UAB last week.
Spain Park’s Jamal Johnson rounds out the top five. With the departure of Wiley, Johnson will have to carry the load for the Jaguars during the high school season.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL TOP 35 FOR ALABAMA'S 2017 CLASS
BIGGEST RISERS
Tevin Brown (pictured above) capped off a tremendous travel season with CP25 Southeast Elite FBC, as he reeled in nearly thirty scholarship offers along the way. The Fairhope sharpshooter was one of the hottest mid-major prospects in the country, and his exceptional play lands him at No. 7.
Brown’s AAU teammate, D.D. Buskey, also had a nice summer on the travel circuit. With a load of college interest coming his way, Daphne’s floor general makes a double-digit jump and now sits at No. 15 in the revised rankings.
NEW TO THE PARTY
Both Jatarvious Whitlow and Jalen Wayne have a good chance of playing college football, but it’s impossible to keep them out of the basketball rankings.
Whitlow, a standout three-sport athlete at Lafayette, makes his debut at No. 27. The 6-foot guard had a successful high school season and cemented his spot in the state rankings with an MVP performance at the annual North-South All-Star Game in Montgomery in July.
Despite playing football, Wayne also found time during the summer to concentrate on the hardwood, too. The 6-foot-2 guard had a couple of good showings with the PCBC Stars in July, putting him on several coaches’ radar for the future. Wayne recently transferred from Faith Academy to Spanish Fort.
