Bossi's Best: A dozen trending up in 2019
The summer offered the opportunity for the elite in high school hoops to measure up against the best. Here are 12 players who are already ranked but enjoyed big summers and have raised their stock in advance of the next 2019 rankings.
This isn't an all-inclusive list, but it touches on some who could be in for upgrades to their current star rating or notable climbs in the rankings.
BOSSI'S STARTING FIVE: Top 15 Nazreon Reid down to a pair
Why he's trending up: Lecque is a tremendous athlete, is almost impossible to keep out of the lane and can fill it up from deep. He's more of a natural scorer than a setup guy, but his passing instincts are good and it doesn't make sense for him to play without the ball in his hands.
Recruitment: Syracuse, Oklahoma State, USC, Xavier, Miami, UConn, Illinois, Auburn, St. John's, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Georgia Tech are just a few of his offers.
Why he's trending up: As the summer went along, Mobley always seemed to produce and he seemed to get better each time out. He is skilled, he has feel for the game and he at least needs to be in the conversation as a potential five-star.
Recruitment: UCLA, Oregon, San Diego State, Miami, New Mexico, Arizona State, Washington, TCU, Alabama and UNLV have offered.
Why he's trending up: Baker has probably grown an inch or two past his listed 6-foot-9, he can run, he has good athleticism and his skill level is well above average. He went from teasing here and there to consistently producing big numbers and his jump shot is no joke.
Recruitment: Texas is trying hard to keep him in Austin but others like Stanford, Texas A&M, Tulsa, Auburn, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, UCLA and TCU have offered.
Why he's trending up: Few players who are just beginning their junior year can intimidate their peers and older players, but Lewis can. He's a true enforcer but has skill, touch and surprising athleticism for a kid with such a massive frame.
Recruitment: USC, Oregon State and St. John's are among those involved.
Why he's trending up: James proved that he can legitimately play the point and given his size and plus athleticism, he's due for a big bump. He can play all around is due for as big of an increase in reputation as anybody in the 2019 class.
Recruitment: Wake Forest, Clemson, Auburn, Cincinnati, Virginia, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Wichita State, Florida and South Carolina are among the many who have offered scholarships.
Why he's trending up: Hall is a wing with good size who could always shoot from deep. He diversified his game, got a little more physical and played with more aggression and was a breakout performer at the Peach Jam.
Recruitment: Illinois, Northwestern, Kansas, Oregon, St. Louis, Iowa, Oklahoma State, SMU, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and more have offered.
Why he's trending up: Jackson-Davis has NBA bloodlines (his father is Dale Davis), great hands and a high skill level. He was very impressive in Las Vegas at the end of the summer and is one of the most promising big men in 2019.
Recruitment: His father's alma mater Clemson has offered and so have Xavier, Butler, Indiana and Purdue.
Why he's trending up: Forget the class of 2019, there may not be a player in any class with a better motor than Tshiebwe. He plays with tremendous energy, is explosive off the floor, does all the dirty work and really seems to be having fun on the floor.
Recruitment: Georgetown, Penn State, Virginia, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Oklahoma State have offered.
Why he's trending up: The steps taken by Gaffney were as big as anybody in the country. He went from intriguing stretch four man to big wing with range and athleticism and range on his jumper. A move all the way up to five-star status won't be out of the question.
Recruitment: Ohio State, Louisville, Kansas, Georgetown, Iowa, Florida, Penn State, West Virginia and Cincinnati all offered during his monster July.
Why he's trending up: Morsell is the kind of slick scorer and versatile guard who has been getting under recruited and then putting up big numbers in college. Playing for Team Takeover was one of the more consistent players in Nike's 16U EYBL
Recruitment: Cincinnati, St. Joseph's, USF, Rhode Island, VCU, Temple, DePaul and Penn State have offered.
Why he's trending up: It's too early to predict he will reach the heights that Marcus Smart has, but Ramsey is really similar to Smart at the same age. He plays multiple positions in the backcourt, he's athletic, he's tough and he's a tremendous defender.
Recruitment: North Texas, UNLV, Texas A&M, Kansas State and Icarnate Word have offered and will have company before it's all said and done.
Why he's trending up: Carton emerged during the spring and summer as one of the Midwest's premier point guards. He doesn't make mistakes, gets into the lane to make things happen and plays with a confidence that his teammates feed off of.
Recruitment: Iowa, Marquette, Kansas State, Minnesota, Northern Iowa, Nebraska, Creighton and Wisconsin all offered.