9th Graders                                                                                                                   

Cameron Payne (Point Guard)

1.  Johnathan Williams III ( 6′8 ) Southwind High School - Talk about blossoming into a big time name in a summer across the country. The 6′8 known as J3 is no doubt the best player in the city in his grade and maybe in the state. What can Williams do, let’s see, handle a bit, shoot the 3 and hit the 3, rebound and block shots a a good clip and he hasn’t even touched the surface of how good he could be. He will in the future be a 3 man because of his body frame and ability to bring up and look comfortable doing so. He has a great touch 5 feet in and he is becoming more aggressive getting up and dunking the ball for those used to him laying it up. Not really a true post up and bang type (why he will be a 3) but could be an extremely effective high post player if that’s what his highschool coach wants him to do. He needs to become a little bit more aggressive as rebounder and putting it on the floor. Hitting the midrange jumper should become a priority for him to make him even more effective offensively. I think Williams has a chance to be one of the best players to come out of the city in 10 years but it’s all in how bad he wants to become that special player. Has Reggie Buckner/Robert Dozier type ability but he could be better.

2. Nick King (6′5)  East High School - King,  a few years was considered the best player in this class and his talent level hasn’t dropped off at all. King is a lot like Williams. He can do a lot to effect games. Whether it’s scoring which he can do with anyone in the class, he is not post player and is more suited right now as a small forward. His ball handling is better than some of the better guards in this class and he has a great touch from 3-point line which a lot of people don’t know. He plays hard on the offensive end but leaves a little bit more to be desired on the defensive end. Rebounding is more something that he must get better at. With is lenght and long arms, I think he could get double digit rebounds every game if the effort was there. He has problems with smaller defenders crowding him and sometimes doesn’t play as tough as he should against bigger players with similar frames. He is not the most athletic player either as of right now but he makes up for it with his offensive ability. Skill wise I think King maybe a better player than Williams but he has to prove it on the court. If he can put it all together and become more assertive at both ends of the floor, He is a top 50 type of player in the country.

3. Matthew Butler (6′1) East High School - Is as efficient a scorer as some seniors and he is only getting better. Virtually an unknown in his 7th grade year, he improved so much in one year that he regularly faced double teams last year. He plays older what his grade indicates almost like he’s been doing this for years. Butler gets good elevation on his shot and always seem to be in control of his defender. He rarely takes an off balance shot and he does the one thing that will have him playing college ball one day, create his own and make you pay for defensive mistakes. Butler just knows how to score the basketball, off the dribble on the pull up getting to the rack, he is the total package as a 2 guard. He plays extremely hard but he can be rattled if he’s not making shots. He can make mistakes with the ball in his hands at times by trying to do a little much at times because he can score so well. If he grows to 6′3 -6′4, he will become an elite type prospect and be sought after by lots of D-1 schools.

4. Jajuan Johnson (6′1) Southwind High School - Had the best year of any 8th grader last year and now looks to keep building on last year entering high school. The smooth Johnson can go off for mini runs by himself shooting the 3 and getting to the basket using his crafty style for buckets. He can consistently make open or hand in his face jumpers and can be deadly once he gets hot. Primarily he is more of a shooter right now but his game is expanding it seems every year. He shoots the ball with great confidence and is willing to take game winning shots with the ball in his hands. He will even go in and get his team a rebound which he did a lot last year and he plays hard on defense. His lateral movement isn’t the best right now but he is still growing as a player physically so that will come. He has good genes (cousin of Sixers guard Louis Williams) and he makes smart decisions with the ball and he doesn’t  force bad shots. He is a cool character a little like Tim Peete which can either be a good thing or bad thing. I would like to see Johnson keep developing nice little 15 foot jumper off the dribble and improve his ball handling which will make that easier for him.  I don’t know if he will play varsity ball this year but his talent level is high enough for him to play and make a contribution which says a lot about his talent level.

5.  Austin Nichols (6′6) Briarcrest Christian High School - Surprised to see Nichols in this spot, don’t be. Nichols has a good understanding of how to play his position. Unlike Williams and King, Nichols is more of a post up player who can step out a little and nail the jumper. He reminds me of a European type post player because of mannerisms. He has solid moves around the bucket and can score it with either hand. He rebounds well and he can block shots although he alters shots more than he blocks. He has a good IQ and he can dribble it up when he needs to and get it to a guard. He does need to get stronger as he looks sometimes outmatched by tougher players but believe me, he does’t bag down from a challege. His foot speed is not great thus making succeptible to quicker post guys. With the right teachings and more polishing, Nichols could be a top 3 type player before his senior year.

6. Dreseans Looney (6′1) White Station High School - Why so low? I know what your thinking but don’t doubt Looney’s ability as a player. Probably the most explosive guard in this class, Looney’s combinations of speed and strenght make him a canidate to see some action this year on the varsity squad. Scoring wise, Looney is a threat every time he touches it. He can blow by his defender and rise up and score or keep going and get to the basket to draw fouls. He goes hard on every offensive possession but some question his desire on the defensive side. He can hit the 3 but is really more of drive the ball type scorer kind of similar to Andre Allen in high school. He sometimes plays with the ball before putting up contested jumpers making for an upset head coach. He’s more of a scorer at this point so his last option is to pass creating the idea that he can’t play the point but it worked out for Joe Jackson right? Not comparing him to Jackson but many thought the same about him. If he can learn somethings from him this year, their is not reason to think that Looney will be the starting Spartan point guard by his sophmore year and put himself back in the top 5.

7. Cameron Payne (5′8) Lausanne - Slick handling scoring pg with a way of making the dazzling pass. The left handed lead guard is probably best in a transition game where he can use his vision to find teammates or look for his shot that he can make at anytime. He is a bit of streaky shooter but Payne is good enough offensively to keep his defender honest. Decision making and shot selection is at times not good but Payne has a lot of talent and his willingness to learn will take him a long way.

8. Frank Herron (6″5) Central High School - Coach Applewhite keeps reeling in the bigs and with Herron he is getting a player who is just beginning to see the kind of player he could be. Herron plays tough and he’s more of a rebounder  right now but Herron has the ability to be a good stick back type of player. He has nimble feet and can surprise you and get double digits in points. Like a lot of young post, Herron has a way of letter smaller players get boards over him. He also gets into foul trouble and takes himself out of games. He reminds me a lot of Tarik Black before he turned into the top 50 player that he is now.

9. Josh Jones (6′1) Central High School - If you watch Jones long enough, he will remind you a little bit of former Indiana guard, Reggie Miller. The long shooter/scorer has a chance to be a really and I mean really good and that mainly due to his work ethic (I’ve seen it personally) He knows how to get himself open and when he does, square his shoulders to the rim and get off his pretty jumper. Getting stronger is something that he will do as he matures but like a few other player, I would love to see Jones become a more aggressive player both offensively and defensively.

10. Fernando Van Hook (5′10) Strong penetrating guard who uses his size running back size to score the ball.

11. Markell Crawford (6′1) Confident 2- guard with nice skills and a swagger to match. Good shooter but needs to work on inbetween game.

12. Sam Craft (5′10) Quick aggressive guard with an attacking attitude.

13. Lorenzo Young (6′2) Ridgeway High School - Space eating post with quick feet and good touch around the basket.

14. Quentin Sawyer (6′0) A little like Jones and he shoots it just as well. Capable of being a top 10 player.

15. Devin Thornton (6′1) White Station High School - Love his  attitude and court savvy. I think Thornton could be a pretty good scorer by his junior year with work on his shot mechanics.

16.  Darrion Robinson (6′1) Carver High School - Reminds me a lot of Jimmy Snap Hunter with his body frame and scoring ability. Another player with top 10 type talent.

17. Larry Kimber (5′7) Sheffield High School - Two sport player ( Footbal), Kimber is a extremely quick, defensive minded guard who can turn games with his speed. A good leader on the floor as well.

18. Connor Anderson (6′5) Germantown High School -  Big time potential for this late blooming post. Good rebounder and long arms, Anderson could end up being a top 3 post player in this class if he realizes the tools he has.

19. Nourse Fox (6′1) Evangelical Christian School - I think Fox has just as much talent as any point guard in this class. He’s another player with a flair for making the fancy pass but Fox can score a little bit although he needs to work on hitting the jumper .

20. Chris Hodges (6′4) Evangelica Christian School - Classic big 4-5,who can rebound and use his frame to get position for easy scores.

On The Rim - These players are a season away from being top 20 players.

1. Kadeem Cathey (5′11) Oakhaven High School - Would have been in my top 20 but a broken leg hindered him during the summer.

2. Dannon Cavil (6′2) White Station High School - Another player with a lot of talent but skill development is a must. If he has a good year, he’s definitely a top 20 player.

3. Myron Hardy (5′10) Southwind High School - Good scorer but what position will he play in highschool?

4. Peyton Hulsey (5′11) Germantown High School - Big guard with ability to score.

5.  Damon Cox ( 5′8) Good point guard with a lot of intangibles that may lead to him being a starting point in high school one day.

6. Broderick Davis ( 5′8 ) Growing on me as a player, good decision maker with the ball and is fearless.

7. Toderick Davis (5′8)  See his brother.

8. Deyshawn Dockery (5′10) Good scorer but a bit one dimensional but if he can rectify that, Dockery could be double digit scorer by maybe his junior year.

9. Courtland Cruther (5′7) Above average shooter.

10.Rhyan Townes (6′0) Solid fundamentally and does all the things to make able to be a 3 year varsity player.

Josh Jones (Shooting Guard)