Bassey headlines Rivals.com's first 2019 basketball rankings
RELATED: Rivals.com's 2019 basketball rankings
The tightest race for the No. 1 spot in the rankings is currently taking place in 2019 where 6-foot-9 power forward Charles Bassey of San Antonio (Texas) St. Anthony Catholic gets the early nod.
A big-time run-and-jump athlete who already holds offers from Baylor, Creighton, Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Washington among others, Bassey gets the early edge because of his size, athleticism and how his game translates moving forward. He is a high-volume rebounder, runs the floor, can attack off the dribble and is big enough that he can play as a center if needed.
Right behind Bassey at No. 2 is Canadian sensation R.J. Barrett. An explosive 6-foot-6 wing who attends Montverde (Fla.) Academy, Barrett is a terrific open court performer who excels at getting to the rim off the dribble. Barrett can shoot some from deep but is more of a streaky shooter whose bread-and-butter is driving to the hoop. Barrett has early offers from Oklahoma, USC, Baylor and UCLA while Duke, Kansas and Kentucky are all keeping close tabs.
Rounding out the top five are big man Balsa Koprivica, wing Scottie Lewis and forward Matthew Hurt. A seven-footer with athleticism and skill, Koprivica is a polished scorer and shot blocker from Florida who holds offers from Baylor, Florida, Miami and Louisville. Not just the top perimeter defender in the class of 2019, the 6-foot-5 Lewis may be as good a defender as there is regardless of class. A true high flyer and dangerous transition player, the New Jersey product has already landed offers from Villanova, Notre Dame, Maryland, Xavier, St. John’s, Seton Hall and others. Closing things out at No. 5, Hurt is a skilled and athletic 6-foot-9 forward from Minnesota who is capable of scoring inside or out.
There are a total of 17 players who will start off as five-star prospects. For comparison, the 2018 class only had 11 at this time last year. Among those five-star prospects are three sets of high school teammates. Barrett is joined by point guard Andrew Nembhard who debuts at No. 17, while power forward Vernon Carey (No. 8) joins Koprivica and combo guard Bryan Antoine (No. 12) joins Scottie Lewis in making debuts as five-star prospects.