This is my first time ever ranking players so young (5th and 6th graders) but it’s never to early to start looking at the future of Memphis basketball. It’s to early!!! Lebron James was known as the best 6th grader in the country at the age of 12. Hard to believe but in these times, it’s never to early to start to see who will set themselves apart from their peers. Some will stop playing ball, some new faces will emerge but I guarantee, it will be fun watching these young players grow.

1. Dedric Lawson (Faith Heritage Christian Academy) Consensus number one 11 year old in the city and according to some in the nationals last year, a top 10 player in the country on the national level. At 5′10, he is simply the most dominant of any post player in his class right now. He can rebound at a high level once recording 28 rebounds in a game in the nationals last summer in Florida. Block shots, that he can do at good pace and did I mention the guard skills! He ball handling is better than most pgs his age. He is the best passer of anyone in this class at 5′10 able to thread the need with full court bounce passes for lay ups. He can bring it up and start the offense looking very comfortable doing so. He can post on the block or go to the free throw line where he is very effective hitting the jumper, finding teammates when the D collapses or drawing fouls. His weakness is foot speed right now but that is mainly due to growing . According to one prominent AAU Coach who has coached him, Leslie McDonald, Ferrakhan Hall and a few other elite Memphis players, he says Lawson is better at this point then anyone that he has coached. Powerful words but don’t be surprised if Lawson is special for years to come.

2. Kevin (Lucky) Cheatham -  The young pg with all that handle and the ability to break his peers down with an array of moves, Kevin is his name for those who just know Lucky. The flashy lead guard is full of talent and everyone knows it. He’s very effective in transition where he can use his speed and quickness to get to the basket or find open teammates but he can also run the show in a halfcourt set. He’s also a pretty good defender often getting steals pressuring opposing guards with his relentless effort. Sometimes he trys to do a little to much which results in turnovers but that happens with a guard of his capability at times. His shooting must also get a little better to keep players from playing him for the drive all the time. He’s a classic Memphis guard in the making!!! Count on hearing Lucky’s name for the next 5-6 years on the scene.

3.  Jessie Neloms - He is a little like Cheatham in the fact that his skill level is above his classmates and that he can do a lot to impact a game. You need a steal, he can get that for you, you need a person to settle the team down, he can do that as well. He is not afraid to take big shots as well often hitting huge 3-pointers for his AAU team (Memphis Wareagles). He doesn’t try to do things that he can’t do, which makes him very effective in any type of style of offense right now. If there were a ranking of 2A and 2B, Neloms and Cheatham would be it. Because of his size right now, teams will try to trap him to force him into turnovers with bigger guards which does cause him problems. If he’s able to continue his progression, he could the best pg title in his grade in the not so distant future.

4. Javion Hamlett  - Out of no where is how you would describe him before he hit the AAU scene last summer. You watch and you think, this young guy can play. His offensive skills rival the two players above although he may not be as polished the two best guards in this class but that doesn’t mean he can’t take a spot in the coming years. He can create a bucket with a runner but is a better shooter than given credit. Hamlett’s better days are definitley ahead of him.

5. Maceo Wooden - Extremely long player with potential to be  really goodi f he works hard at it. His offensive skills still need work but he has make great strides in the last 2 years. The 5′10 Wooden could easily be a guard with work but right now is mainly a rebounder who is getting better every summer. Keep an eye this young player.

Jessie Neloms

Kevin Cheatham

5'10 Dedric Lawson