Who's the best of the best among the class of 2010 forwards? We break down the players in four categories.
FORWARDS
BEST OUTSIDE SHOOTER
High school: Ames (Iowa) Senior
College choice: North Carolina
The buzz: Not only has Barnes developed into one of the best shooting wings in the class, he is also able to knock down the contested jumper with regularity.
High school: Fort Wayne (Ind.) Blackhawk Christian
College choice: Michigan State
The buzz: When Byrd gets on a hot streak, look out. He will stretch Big Ten defenses at Michigan State.
High school: New Hampton (N.H.) Prep
College choice: Michigan
The buzz: Smotrycz does a lot of things well with the basketball in his hands, but his ability to hit 3-pointers sets up the rest of his game.
High school: Metairie (la.) Park Country Day
College choice: LSU
The buzz: Derenbecker's game has a lot of similarities to Purdue forward
Robbie Hummel 's game, but Derenbecker is a better long-range shooter.
High school: Muscle Shoals (Ala.) Muscle Shoals
College choice: LSU
The buzz: Turner's forte is making 3-pointers, and he will be counted upon heavily at LSU as a spot-up shooter.
BEST REBOUNDER
High school: Ames (Iowa) Senior
College choice: North Carolina
The buzz: Barnes picks up a lot of points by working the offensive glass. He has a nose for the ball and is quick off the floor.
High school: Raleigh (N.C.) Word of God Christian Academy
College choice: Undecided
The buzz: There might not be a better athlete in the 2010 class. When Leslie puts his athleticism to use, he is a lethal rebounder.
High school: Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers
College choice: Ohio State
The buzz: Thomas has the ability to be one of the most physical forwards in the class of 2010.
High school: Dallas (Texas) Pinkston
College choice: Missouri
The buzz: If there is a better athlete than Leslie, then it might just be Mitchell. Playing above the rim comes easily to him.
High school: Montverde (Fla.) Academy
College choice: Marquette
The buzz: Jones is physical and has a nose for the basketball. He regularly takes advantage of other small forwards around the basket.
BEST DEFENDER
High school: Montverde (Fla.) Academy
College choice: Villanova
The buzz: Bell has the ability to be a lockdown small forward defender in college. His work against some of the top offensive players in his class has been impressive.
High school: Jacksonville (Fla.) Providence School
College choice: Kentucky
The buzz: Like Bell, Poole is a tremendous athlete who uses his strength and athleticism on the defensive end.
High school: Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy
College choice: Syracuse
The buzz: Smith's motor, length and athleticism make him a dangerous defender.
High school: Jackson (Tenn.) North Side
College choice: Florida
The buzz: Prather combines a great deal of grit with his athleticism, making him a force defensively.
High school: Dallas (Texas) Pinkston
College choice: Missouri
The buzz: Mitchell is the type of athlete who can match up defensively with almost anyone on the court.
BEST BALL HANDLER
High school: Zion (Ill.) Benton
College choice: Ohio State
The buzz: Smith handles the ball with such strength and authority that some consider him a point guard.
High school: Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler
College choice: Memphis
The buzz: Cut out of the same mold as Ohio State's
Evan Turner , Kendrick has the potential to be a point guard.
High school: Portland (Ore.) Jefferson
College choice: Undecided
The buzz: Jones is as skilled as any four man in the class as a ball handler. He has a game similar to Lamar Odom.
High school: Ames (Iowa) Senior
College choice:
The buzz: Barnes' handle continues to get tighter. Has the potential to be a high-level playmaker.
High school: Glen Head (N.Y.) Half Hollow Hills West
College choice:
The buzz: Harris is a tremendous scorer, but he can also make a variety of plays with his dribble game.
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