We have discussed some of the more pertinent talking points from the 2016 and 2017 classes and that now leads us up to the rising sophomore ranks. Although a bit early in the process where many of those within the sophomore ranks have yet to physically mature just yet,  the talent atop of the class looks to be able to go blow for blow with any of the more recent classes that we have seen.

BAGLEY SETS THE BAR

Making news recently that Marvin Bagley III, a 6-foot-9 power forward, will transfer and attend Hillcrest Academy, located in Phoenix, Arizona, the elite recruit has always been someone known to make major noise with his play on the hardwood. Regardless of if the move might be for the best or not, the talent that the mobile and highly active forward entails within his body of work is beyond impressive. Some are throwing around the phrase that Bagley is the best prospect in all of high school basketball. I still side with Harry Giles but the young skillset that the Arizona native displays is quite impressive.

Where Bagley stands out is in his rebounding abilities within traffic and his face-up skills from 17-feet and in. He can score it with the set jumper, has a great first step on the way to the basket, and is good for a few lob dunks in any given contest. Of course, strength gain at this time is Bagley’s primary hold-up but the We All Can Go product is the best within his class while Angola native, Silvio De Sousa, is scratching at his heels.

POINT GUARDS AREN’T LACKING

While it usually takes big men to develop a lot longer than guards due to the physical prowess of them and in getting acclimated more appropriately to their bodies, in looking ahead, it is still refreshing in seeing the amount of high level lead guards within the 2018 class. From coast to coast, talent and ball skills aren’t lacking with the rising crop of sophomores. Already we are seeing high-major programs dish out offers to such lead guards as Kezo  Brown, Chase Adams, Rasir Bolton, Damon Harge Jr., Devon Dotson, Elijah Hardy, Jordan McCabe, Jahvon Quinerly, Courtney Ramey, Darius Garland, and Javonte Smart.

A lot was spoken on the lacking crop of elite lead guards in the 2015 class. The current crop of seniors in high school ball changed that a tad and 2017 continues the trajectory of producing quality point guard products, but the depth that 2018 is already showing at the most important position on the floor should bring some heated recruitments in pursuit of a guy that can run a team from day one on campus.  

FIVE NAMES TO WATCH

As the senior prospects continue to pop off the board, more and more programs will look ahead and focus in on the younger classes. With it, many more names will come to the forefront of national attention by the colleges and media. We already have a good feel for guys like Marvin Bagley III, Silvio De Sousa, and Javonte Smart, all three standing atop of the rankings in 2018, but what five might be next in line to pop out of relative obscurity and enhance their stock in becoming national recruits this winter and thereafter?

Let’s start with Zion Williamson. Sure, his father’s alma mater, Clemson, has already offered the South Carolina native, but pound for pound, there just aren’t many more talented guys around than the 6-foot-5 guard. He has a lot of James Harden in him and after really impressing during his time at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions back in May, expect for the Spartanburg Day guard to be quite the heavily recruited ACC prospect in the coming years.

Isaiah Mucius is an impressive wing who is making the move to St. James School (Maryland) this fall. He stands at 6-foot-7 but is a legit 3-man who can handle the ball, facilitate, and play make for himself and others in the lane. No offers have been received just yet but with the length and feel that Mucius shows, he has the chance to be a top-50 prospect with ease in 2018.

A third name that will be quite the followed one is Tyler Herro. Running with the Wisconsin Playground Warriors bunch this past summer on the travel circuit, the 6-foot-3 guard hasn’t stopped growing and seems to be now more of a two-guard who can do a little bit of everything. Creighton and DePaul have already jumped in with an offer to the Wisconsin native but due to his size, shooting prowess off the bounce, and distributing below the arc, expect for the majority of the Big 10 and Big 12 to get heavily involved with the rising sophomore.

A native of Harford County, Maryland, which is located near the city of Baltimore, Immanuel Quickley is quickly becoming a name. Standing at 6-foot-4, the John Carroll point guard brings great size for his spot on the floor along with crazy amounts of toughness. He can carry his squad for prolonged spurts by way of his slicing skills to the basket and energy on the defensive end. Cincinnati and Rhode Island are the two programs that have offered to date and it looks like Quickley will be a priority recruit over the long haul.

Lastly, little is known about Nate Roberts. A 6’8 power forward that has great dexterity in running the floor and maneuvering through bodies on the hardwood, the ceiling out of the Baltimore native is mind-boggling. The Charm City has been producing some quality ballplayers in past years and Roberts could easily be the next man in line. He can score facing the basket and with his back to the rim, handle it in the open floor, and is athletic enough to throw down highlight jams. Expect for Roberts’ name to escape out of the gym at Edgewood High School this winter and the offers to be tacked onto the list that only lists those from James Madison and Delaware.