The high school basketball class of 2010 has graduated, and most of the top prospects are already enrolled in summer classes in preparation for their upcoming freshman seasons. Most people who follow college basketball know that Jared Sullinger is the next big thing at Ohio State and Harrison Barnes will be the next one and done talent to come to North Carolina. Kyrie Irving will run the point at Duke as a freshman, and so will Josh Selby at Kansas. Both of them will be faced with the challenge of replacing All-Americans (John Scheyer at Duke & Sherron Collins at Kansas). Now that the class of 2010 has taken shape, it's time to meet the best players in the class of 2011.
Michael Gilchrist
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6'7
Weight: 210lbs
High School: St. Patrick's High School (NJ)
*Committed to Kentucky
It can't be easy being the best, but it's a burden that Michael Gilchrist must deal with. Gilchrist has been regarded as the best player in the class of 2011 since his sophomore year at St. Pat's, one of the Tri-State's basketball powerhouses. During that sophomore season, Gilchrist played with McDonald's All-American and current North Carolina guard Dexter Strickland. This is important because unlike many elite level high school stars, Gilchrist hasn't been carrying his team for four straight years. Gilchrist has actually been able to develop, and grow into his role as a go to guy. As a senior, and next year as a freshman at Kentucky, his comfort with the spotlight will make his transition much easier. This is something that I think will allow him to produce big numbers from the start at UK, similar to John Wall last season. Gilchrist can already score from both inside and out and with seasoning could even project as a shooting guard in the NBA. He will undoubtedly be the nation's top high school player from now until graduation day.
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Austin Rivers
Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6'4
Weight: 189lbs
High School: Winter Park High School (FL)
*Considering Duke, North Carolina, UCLA, Kansas, and Florida
If you're thinking about stepping down from one of the most prestigious coaching jobs in basketball to watch your son play basketball, your son better be damn good. Unfortunately for the Boston Celtics, Austin Rivers is that good. That's why his father, Celtics head coach "Doc" Rivers may choose to take a break from coaching while his son makes what could be a two year transition from high school senior to NBA lottery pick. Though Gilchrist is the country's best overall prospect, NO ONE playing high school basketball can score like Austin Rivers. His outside shooting touch and wiry athleticism are enough to label him as college basketball's next Stephen Curry. Austin isn't the defender that his dad was but his prodigious offensive game will make him one of the most dangerous members of which team he joins. Rivers will set out to prove this year that he is a whole lot more than just a chip off of Doc's old block.
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James McAdoo
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6'8
Weight: 216lbs
High School: Norfolk Christian
*Committed to North Carolina
Old School Tar Heel fans will be going back down memory lane next year when James McAdoo suits up in Chapel Hill. McAdoo's uncle Bob McAdoo led UNC to an ACC Championship and a Final Four during his two year stay. Now James McAdoo looks poised to have a similarly abbreviated stay in the Carolina Blue. While Bob McAdoo came to North Carolina with only two years of eligibility after winning a junior college national championship, James just seems too talented to be on campus for more than two years. Though he is thought of as a power forward, McAdoo has all the athleticism of a small forward. He finishes well above the rim and will only get stronger once he gets on campus. McAdoo is so ready for the next level that he strongly considered graduating high school early and joining UNC's class of 2010. Ultimately, he decided against it. However, there is no doubt that James is expected to be the second McAdoo to go from North Carolina to the NBA.
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Myck Kabongo
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6'2
Weight: 170lbs.
High School: St. Benedict's Prep
*Committed to Texas
Michael Gilchrist isn't the only recruit claiming to be the nation's best recruit in the class of 2011. Myck Kabongo has a pretty good case. Kabongo is from Toronto (ON), Canada and he is the best high school player north of the border. Kabongo plays his high school ball in New Jersey where he has thrived against some of the areas top competition. Kabongo is a lock down defender, and a pure point guard on the offensive end. He has exceptional speed and quickness that allows him to create off the dribble and find teammates for easy baskets. Kabongo is still developing his own offensive game, but his potential to become a scorer is evident. If Kabongo's game continues to develope, he will eventually follow former Longhorns TJ Ford, Daniel Gibson, and DJ Augustine into the NBA.
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