Class of 2013: Top 10 most versatile players
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Five-star nearing decision
As positions continue to change in basketball,
versatility and the ability to play in multiple spots becomes more and more
important. This week, we take a look at the 10 most versatile players in the
class of 2013. It's not a surprise to see the nation's best player,
Andrew Wiggins, lead the list.
1. Andrew Wiggins: The top prospect in the class
of 2013 is also the nation's most versatile player. The 6-foot-7
wing could play shooting guard, small forward and power forward on the offensive
end. He can also lock up all of those positions, at least at this level. A big-time athlete, Wiggins' ability to pass and some of the little things he does have
gone unnoticed.
2.
Aaron Harrison: The Harrison twins
from Houston are a dynamic duo and there is great debate about which is better. However, the reason that Rivals.com ranks Aaron over his
twin brother Andrew is because we see him as a tad more versatile. While the
6-foot-5, five-star senior's natural position is the shooting guard, he can
easily slide over to play the point full time and is capable of defending one
through three on the perimeter.
3. Jabari Parker: A super-sized wing who is now
pushing 6-foot-9, Parker is a guy who can fit any style of play and can likely
do so as either a small or power forward. If you play him at the four, his
ability to face up and play a skill game while still having the size to defend
interior players is a problem. As a three, he can take smaller guys into the
post and use what is a well-developed, back-to-the-basket post game. The
more we think about him for the college level, we like him as more of a combo
forward than a true three because he'll likely be more comfortable defending
college threes.
4. Noah Vonleh: When Vonleh first emerged on the
scene, he did so as a ridiculously high-volume rebounder with toughness and
length. In the early stages of his development, he couldn't score much outside
of five feet but he's changed that in a big way. Vonleh has become a dependable
3-point shooter, can create off the dribble and is a capable defender at the
three or the four because he's got good anticipation.
5.
Rondae Jefferson: A big part of being versatile is the ability to play
defense at multiple spots and Jefferson is one of those guys who can do it. A natural small forward who is a physical player, Jefferson also has the strength
and toughness to be an excellent interior defender at the four. On offense,
Jefferson isn't a great shooter but he is a good ball-handler and an excellent
passer for a 6-foot-7 guy.
6. Tim Quarterman: LSU is going to enjoy the
problem of figuring out exactly where to play the highly versatile 6-foot-6
product of Georgia. Some like him as a tall and rangy point guard, some like him
as a Scottie Pippen-ish small forward, while some prefer him somewhere in
between. Bottom line, he's a guy that you can put out on the perimeter and know
that he can do about anything you want from him. If he upgrades his jump
shooting a little, he'll end up one of the biggest steals of the 2013 class.
7. Ishmail Wainright: The Baylor Bears are
going to love how versatile the 6-foot-5 Wainright is. Because of terrific
strength, extremely long arms and above average athleticism and feet, Wainright
is one of those guys that can defend three or four positions. He rebounds very
well and on offense he doesn't make many mistakes. He can crash the glass,
attacks off the dribble and is an outstanding passer.
8. Brandon Austin: A product of Philadelphia, Austin
is very similar to Quarterman in that you can throw him out on the floor and
expect him to play many positions. The 6-foot-6 senior is a high-level athlete,
can really create off the dribble and has started to add a killer instinct to
his game. Looking at things, he is possibly one of the more underrated members
of the current Rivals150.
9. Nigel Williams-Goss: Another perimeter ace who can
do many things at 6-foot-4. The Washington commit is regarded as one of
the best defenders in the country and he does that 1 through 3. On offense, you
can use him as a scoring point guard who doesn't make a lot of bad decisions.
Or, he can play off the ball and be a physical scorer. He brings toughness to
everything he does.
10. Vince Hunter: For a top 100 player, the Detroit
native doesn't really get a lot of love. However, his ability to play multiple roles doesn't got unnoticed.
Because of his toughness, quickness near the rim and nose for the ball, he causes
lots of problems as an undersized four. On the wing, he's a hard-charger who
doesn't take plays off and has improved his mid-range jump shooting.
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