Who is next to be ranked from the class of 2017?
The summer of 2016 is now behind us and with the various camps and tournaments put to bed, we take a look back at what we saw from the heated month that was July. New names popped up from the younger classes but bringing the attention to the now senior class, before we update our next 2017 rankings, we take a look at five names that improved their standings and will see their names published within the 2017 HoopSeen Rankings.
Wolfeboro, NH
THOMAS ALLEN, G, GARNER ROAD
Leading his team to the adidas Summer Championships will do it for you as Thomas Allen displayed loads of toughness but also a major shot making prowess that has enhanced his resume greatly this summer. While he is still more of an undersized scoring guard and needs to continue to solidify his point guard skills, the progressions that Allen has continued to make on the playing floor is a good sign moving ahead.
Not the most athletic of guys and not the biggest of guards, Allen plays with no fear on the playing floor. He has improved some as a facilitator but is still best putting the ball through the basket. The Carolina native will take his talents to New England for his final year of high school ball this fall as he will suit up for the always powerful and successful Brewster Academy program. Holding a plethora of offers from coast to coast, the ceiling on Allen’s recruitment as yet to peak as the major scorer of the basketball should see his stock hit even higher levels playing within the NEPSAC.
DARIUS MCNEILL, PG, TEXAS BOYS ATHLETIC CLUB
It seems that everyone is in the hunt for a productive point guard this fall. Darius McNeill is a guy that enhanced his stock this past July and because of it, should see his name pop up within the next updated 2017 HoopSeen Rankings. While he isn’t the biggest or strongest of point guards, the Texas native more than makes up for it with his speed and toughness on the hardwood.
Decision-making can sometimes go askew with the senior guard but McNeill does compete. He is still a relative unknown out of the Lone Star State but it seems that the likes of Texas, Iowa State, and Cincinnati have already gotten heavily involved with the lead guard. Someone that brings major passion to the court and a guy that can defend the basketball, finish at the rim, and also create for others from off of the drive, the upside and value with the 6-foot-1 lead guard is evidently clear, hence the spotlight here on the intriguing and competitive prospect from the deep south.
JORDAN NWORA, F, NY RENS
Sure, we knew all about Jordan Nwora heading into July but we still were a bit iffy on the forward’s overall skillset, athleticism, and exact placement on the floor. Throw it all out the window. The knockdown shooter did more than just make shots these past few weeks. A native of Buffalo, New York that will attend Vermont Academy in the fall, Nwora displayed improved play making skills, some athleticism at the basket, and improved toughness within the bigger bodies in the lane.
It seems that the more play makers and skilled guys that you put on the floor, the better chance you have at coming out with the W. Sure, talent is definitely needed but Nwora displayed great value as a face-up power forward, someone that opens up many driving lanes for his guards and creates matchup issues galore. A consistent producer all summer long where, whether it was at the Nike Peach Jam, or at the adidas Nations, Nwora continued to prove the doubters wrong as he created for himself from off the bounce, threw up big numbers on the scoreboard, and went to the glass more frequently, all of which makes him a new name to watch the next time we release our updated 2017 HoopSeen Rankings.
TYLER POLLEY, F, E1T1
Tyler Polley fell out of our most recent 2017 rankings from this past spring but be sure to watch for his name next time around. The slender bodied but skilled forward had a massive July as he brought in offer after offer and it wasn’t just because of the dreaded potential word.
Regardless of the event that he suited up in, Polley displayed immense upside but also the current production that made him someone that volumes of high-major schools watched throughout the three evaluation periods. While he still does have to get stronger, the E1T1 product showcased improved toughness on scores at the basket but also a better feel for the game as he destroyed his opponents out of the high post setting. Capable of putting it on the floor, hitting the intermediate jumper, and also making the proper pass, Polley will see his name within our rankings next time around, just the same as his name will appear atop of many college recruiting boards up and down the east coast.
LANCE THOMAS, F, TEAM UNITED
Sure, his teammate with the Team Untied crew, Alex O’Connell, was another break out performer this past summer, but it was Lance Thomas that used the giant platform allotted to him in creating his own high-level profile. While he is still in between spots on the floor and would much rather be a shooting guard than a power forward, the upside and improved production is becoming clearer by the day with the Peach State recruit.
It was a giant battle between O’Connell and five-star guard Collin Sexton that brought in droves of college coaches during the first evaluation period. It was also the moment that Thomas realized how good he could be as he hit opportune jumpers from beyond the arc, attacked the basket in cleaning up loose balls off of the weakside glass, and even sat down and defended further away from the rim. He left that July matinee session with an offer in hand from Louisville and now down to a final four consisting of the ACC bunch, Miami, Florida, and USC. Thomas not only improved his standing in front of the college coaches, but also in front of the HoopSeen gang as he will see his name jump into the next updated version of our 2017 rankings.
