LEXINGTON, KY — The goal on Saturday was to get a gauge on just how good the class of 2017 is nationally. The answer? Very. I watched several of the top rising juniors here at the EYBL stop and came away impressed with the talent in the class. Here’s my top overall performers from the action here at the Kentucky Basketball Academy. 

Jared Vanderbilt, SF, Houston Hoops - Hello! I’m always looking for players that have won the DNA Lottery. Vanderbilt has cashed in with that department. The 6-foot-8, broad-shouldered long and athletic forward is one of the most impressive basketball players here in the Bluegrass State. He handles the ball so well for a player with his size. When Vanderbilt put the leather on the hardwood, he was concise and attacked with a deadly and fast first step. His skill set is that on the very elite level and should be considered one of the most impressive prospects in any class in the country. While currently sitting at No. 4 overall on the composite rankings in the class of 2017, Vanderbilt could easily sit behind DeAndre Ayton at No. 2 with little debate from anyone. While that’s not a big surprise to anyone that follows prep basketball, Vanderbilt is a young 16-year-old that is still so very young in his basketball development. 

Troy Brown, CG, Las Vegas Prospects, 2017 - At 6-foot-5, there isn’t a point guard with more ideal size and effectiveness than him in the rising junior class. Paired against Boo Williams, Brown went for 21 points while only missing three shots, grabbed 11 rebounds and pitched seven assists while turning the ball over four times. Defensively, he played a big role in limiting Matt Coleman's effectiveness at every level. Coleman is considered one of the very best point guards in the country. Brown does everything so well and so smooth. 

Wendell Carter, PF, Georgia Stars, 2017 - In his first ever match-up against Harry Giles - the player I believe to be the No. 1 player in the class of 2016, Carter was terrific. The 6-foot-10 stud from Pace Academy in Atlanta is the best rebounder I’ve seen over the last 12 months and had a challenge of playing the role of star stopper in a game that had nearly every elite high-major coach watching. Carter was simply terrific. Giles was frustrated on Carter’s presence in the post and strength in the paint. I haven’t seen Giles, an all-world talent, struggle to do what he wants quite like this game. Carter went for 16 points and 13 rebounds while only missing two shots. It was an efficient effort and also complete. Look for Duke to be deep into the mix for this one. 

De’Aaron Fox, PG, Houston Hoops, 2016 - In my first time watching the speedster from Houston, I couldn't help myself from thinking about the first time I saw and wrote about John Wall as the RbkU camp in Philadelphia in 2007. Fox has a lot of similarities to the current NBA star in the sense both can go from end to end with sprinter speed. Fox, for all intents and purposes, is more efficient at this stage of the game. He uses his unique length on the defensive end of the floor for steals that lead to transition buckets. In the half court, Fox was terrific slicing through the defense with a reliable handle and effective passing. As a scorer, he made tough shots, open shots and contested shots. John Calipari spent some time watching Fox on Saturday while the new Texas staff logged some serious minutes watching the Houston area star. Kansas will be a player in here, too. 

VJ King, SF, Team Takeover, 2016 - In a morning game against Team Texas Elite, King was the model of efficiency. He went for 24 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and zero turnovers. The majority of the work was done getting into the paint and challenging defenders with his 6-foot-6, 195-pound frame on the wing. King scored well at all three levels and plays with such a great understanding of the game. Keep an eye on his recruitment because this could become a fun Louisville vs Kentucky battle down the stretch.