Published Apr 21, 2010
Class of 2010 post players scouting report
Jerry Meyer
Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting Analyst
MORE: 2010 Point Guards scouting report | 2010 Shooting Guards | 2010 Forwards
Who's the best of the best among the class of 2010 post players? We break down the players in four categories.
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POST PLAYERS
BEST REBOUNDER
1) Patric Young
High school: Jacksonville (Fla.) Paxon School/Advanced Studies
College choice: Florida
Buzz: No one plays with a better motor than Young. His physique and athleticism make him a force on the boards.
2) Tristan Thompson
High school: Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep
College choice: Texas
Buzz: Right there with Young in the high motor department is Thompson. He relentlessly pursues the ball.
3) Jared Sullinger
High school: Columbus (Ohio) Northland
College choice: Ohio State
Buzz: Sullinger doesn't often play above the rim, but he can control horizontal space with his strength and aggressiveness.
4) Josh Smith
High school: Covington (Wash.) Kentwood
College choice: UCLA
Buzz: Smith doesn't have the motor that those above him have, but he does have imposing size and great hands.
5) Dwight Powell
High school: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
College choice: Stanford
Buzz: Powell is long, agile and very active, which make him one of the more reliable rebounders -- especially offensively -- in the class.
BEST DEFENDER
1) Adreian Payne
High school: Dayton (Ohio) Jefferson
College choice: Michigan State
Buzz: Payne plays as long as any player in the class, and he moves his feet well to boot. He'll block a lot of shots in college.
2) Patric Young
High school: Jacksonville (Fla.) Paxon School/Advanced Studies
College choice: Florida
Buzz: Strong and athletic, Young is also very competitive. He doesn't give up points without a serious fight.
3) Tarik Black
High school: Memphis (Tenn.) Ridgeway
College choice: Memphis
Buzz: Black is a little undersized as a post player, but he has long arms, good strength and is quick off the floor as a shot blocker.
4) Tristan Thompson
High school: Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep
College choice: Texas
Buzz: An energetic competitor, Thompson uses a combination of strength, length and mobility to keep opponents in check.
5) Dwight Powell
High school: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
College choice: Stanford
Buzz: Powell's agility is the primary reason he is a quality defender -- both in the post and on the perimeter.
BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER
1) Jared Sullinger
High school: Columbus (Ohio) Northland
College choice: Ohio State
Buzz: No one on the travel team circuit was as productive in the low post as Sullinger. Now he is also extending his range.
2) Fabricio de Melo
High school: Weston (Fla.) Sagemont
College choice: Syracuse
Buzz: His size makes him difficult to deal with, and his footwork and array of post moves make him even more difficult to defend.
3) Tristan Thompson
High school: Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep
College choice: Texas
Buzz: Thompson is a reliable finisher around the basket, and he has really developed his ability to face up and attack off the dribble.
4) Perry Jones
High school: Dallas (Texas) Duncanville
College choice: Baylor
Buzz: Jones doesn't always produce as you would like, but he is a naturally talented offensive player.
5) Dwight Powell
High school: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
College choice: Stanford
Buzz: Powell is most dangerous when he faces the basket in the midrange and operates, but he can also score with his back to the basket.
BEST PASSER
1) Josh Smith
High school: Covington (Wa.) Kentwood
College choice: UCLA
Buzz: Smith is such a good passer he sometimes frustrates because he looks for the open man more than asserting himself as a scorer.
2) Jared Sullinger
High school: Columbus (Ohio) Northland
College choice: Ohio State
Buzz: Sullinger scores so well that he doesn't often have to pass. But when the defense collapses, he is quite adept at finding the open man.
3) Michael Cobbins
High school: Amarillo (Texas) Palo Duro
College choice: Oklahoma State
Buzz: A terrific ball handler for his size, Cobbins can dish the ball in the open court like a perimeter player.
4) Carson Desrosiers
High school: Lawrence (Mas.) Central Catholic
College choice: Wake Forest
Buzz: Combined with his shooting ability, Desrosiers' skilled passing makes him a big-time threat in the high post.
5) Perry Jones
High school: Dallas (Texas) Duncanville
College choice: Baylor
Buzz: His athleticism and length catch your eye at first, but his skill with the basketball -- including his passing ability -- soon become evident.
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