Alabama’s 2019 class looks to be an exceptional group at the top, with several high-level prospects knocking on the door of being recognized on the national stage. Behind that, several names have started to surface, increasing the overall depth of the class.

After closely following this class for their first two high school seasons, especially over the past three months, it is time to unveil our initial class rankings.

We start things out with a top 25, but the number will expand over the next few years, ultimately leading up to the final top 40 rankings when the 2019 class finishes up their senior campaign.

CLASS OF 2019 ALABAMA RANKINGS

MEET THE TOP FIVE

Trendon Watford has been a national name for the past few seasons, but, before that, he was an eighth grader starring for Shades Valley High School. The versatile, 6-foot-8 forward is now at 7A powerhouse Mountain Brook and is the unanimous choice for the No. 1 overall spot in our initial rankings.

Watford’s combination of size, versatility, and skill-set has distinguished him as a five-star prospect on the national scale. Some of the most prominent college programs in the country are currently courting him, including Kentucky and Indiana. Nevertheless, in-state schools Alabama and Auburn are doing their due diligence to keep the unique talent within the state borders.

It’s still an early discussion, but Watford has to be the odds-on favorite to win Mr. Basketball next season.

Right behind Watford is another prospect that is a priority recruit for Alabama and Auburn in Hazel Green point guard Kira Lewis. A long, 6-foot-2 guard with a quick first step, Lewis has also reeled in a number of high-major scholarship offers during his early career. The rising junior is becoming a hot commodity because of his ability to shoot the ball and run a team.

Lee-Huntsville forward Kobe Brown checks in at No. 3. The position-less 6-foot-7 forward was one of the key components for the Generals this season. After a strong spring with the Atlanta Celtics, Brown holds over two dozen scholarship offers.

Jaykwon Walton has been one of the most popular wings in the Southeast over the past few weeks and checks in at No. 4. The 6-foot-5 wing is a smooth operator and stretches the floor with his shooting ability. With plenty of room to grow as a prospect, don’t be surprised if this guy shoots up the rankings board – and that’s including the national lists.

Rounding out the top 5 is LefLore forward DeAntoni Gordon, who committed to Wichita State earlier in the spring. The 6-foot-7 forward is primarily a face-up 4 man, but the work he has put in over the past few years to improve his skill-set is evident. Gordon is now a legitimate combo forward prospect and should fit right in with the Shockers in Wichita.

PLENTY OF SIZE AT THE TOP

Contrary to the typical Alabama class, there is plenty of size at the top of this list. In fact, seven of the top 10 players are 6-foot-5 or taller. Central Park Christian’s Moulaye Sissoko is a hard-nosed interior big man that a lot of people don’t know about. Demond Robinson is a classic low-post big man at Lee-Montgomery. Mason Ellison has been a staple standout at HoopSeen events over the years and brings plenty of versatility with his size.

DEPTH AT THE GUARD SPOT

Truth be told, there are a hand-full of guards that were just left out of the rankings cut-off. While it’s still early for this group, depth on the perimeter doesn’t look to be an issue.

Desmond Williams, Cameron Tucker, Justin Minter, Kendon Knight, Dee Pearson, J.P. Robinson, and Eugene Leonard all excel with the ball in their hands and bring different styles of play to the lead guard position.

Denver Jones, A.J. McGinnis, C.J. Yarbrough, and Brandon Nicholas keep the defense honest with their abilities to score from the perimeter.

As the depth chart begins to formulate on the perimeter, it looks like it will be an extremely competitive run.