Eight things to know about 2018 ranks

RELATED: CLASS OF 2018 TOP 25

Next down the line at No. 3 and No. 4 are Louisiana combo guard Javonte SmartClick Though there is a definite gap between our No. 2 player Silvio De SousaClick As we've created, updated and expanded rankings in the classes of 2018, 2017 and 2016 over the past few weeks, nobody has been an easier choice for No. 1 in their class than Marvin BagleyClick It is going to be a while before the class of 2018 starts to shape it's true identity. Though we start off the rankings process for the class with an initial top 25 today, the pool of players to rank from will continue to grow and the list will see lots of change as it evolves between now and the time it's final ranking in April of 2018. One thing is for sure, though. Power forward Marvin Bagley stands above the crowd. Here are eight things to know about 2018's top 25.Here to view this Link.. The 6-foot-10 power forward from Glendale (Ariz.) Hillcrest appears to have every tool a big man his age could hope to have. He's skilled with his back to the basket, can stretch defenses with his passing, runs the floor exceptionally well, is a high-volume rebounder and a highlight-creating athlete. Bagley will be able to play anywhere that he would like in college and he's going to be fun to watch for the next three seasons of high school.Here to view this Link. and Bagley, De Sousa has also opened up some distance between himself and the rest of the field. A 6-foot-8 forward who could easily pass for a college junior or senior, he's a rough-and-tumble product of high school powerhouse Montverde (Fla.) Academy. Because he's so much more athletic and physical than most of his classmates, it's tough to get a true gauge on De Sousa's overall skill level, but he appears to have a true feel for the game. Looking back through the years, he looks like a young and healthy Leon PoweClick As we've created, updated and expanded rankings in the classes of 2018, 2017 and 2016 over the past few weeks, nobody has been an easier choice for No. 1 in their class than Marvin BagleyClick It is going to be a while before the class of 2018 starts to shape it's true identity. Though we start off the rankings process for the class with an initial top 25 today, the pool of players to rank from will continue to grow and the list will see lots of change as it evolves between now and the time it's final ranking in April of 2018. One thing is for sure, though. Power forward Marvin Bagley stands above the crowd. Here are eight things to know about 2018's top 25.Here to view this Link.. The 6-foot-10 power forward from Glendale (Ariz.) Hillcrest appears to have every tool a big man his age could hope to have. He's skilled with his back to the basket, can stretch defenses with his passing, runs the floor exceptionally well, is a high-volume rebounder and a highlight-creating athlete. Bagley will be able to play anywhere that he would like in college and he's going to be fun to watch for the next three seasons of high school.Here to view this Link..Here to view this Link. and California power forward Jordan BrownClick Though there is a definite gap between our No. 2 player Silvio De SousaClick As we've created, updated and expanded rankings in the classes of 2018, 2017 and 2016 over the past few weeks, nobody has been an easier choice for No. 1 in their class than Marvin BagleyClick It is going to be a while before the class of 2018 starts to shape it's true identity. Though we start off the rankings process for the class with an initial top 25 today, the pool of players to rank from will continue to grow and the list will see lots of change as it evolves between now and the time it's final ranking in April of 2018. One thing is for sure, though. Power forward Marvin Bagley stands above the crowd. Here are eight things to know about 2018's top 25.Here to view this Link.. The 6-foot-10 power forward from Glendale (Ariz.) Hillcrest appears to have every tool a big man his age could hope to have. He's skilled with his back to the basket, can stretch defenses with his passing, runs the floor exceptionally well, is a high-volume rebounder and a highlight-creating athlete. Bagley will be able to play anywhere that he would like in college and he's going to be fun to watch for the next three seasons of high school.Here to view this Link. and Bagley, De Sousa has also opened up some distance between himself and the rest of the field. A 6-foot-8 forward who could easily pass for a college junior or senior, he's a rough-and-tumble product of high school powerhouse Montverde (Fla.) Academy. Because he's so much more athletic and physical than most of his classmates, it's tough to get a true gauge on De Sousa's overall skill level, but he appears to have a true feel for the game. Looking back through the years, he looks like a young and healthy Leon PoweClick As we've created, updated and expanded rankings in the classes of 2018, 2017 and 2016 over the past few weeks, nobody has been an easier choice for No. 1 in their class than Marvin BagleyClick It is going to be a while before the class of 2018 starts to shape it's true identity. Though we start off the rankings process for the class with an initial top 25 today, the pool of players to rank from will continue to grow and the list will see lots of change as it evolves between now and the time it's final ranking in April of 2018. One thing is for sure, though. Power forward Marvin Bagley stands above the crowd. Here are eight things to know about 2018's top 25.Here to view this Link.. The 6-foot-10 power forward from Glendale (Ariz.) Hillcrest appears to have every tool a big man his age could hope to have. He's skilled with his back to the basket, can stretch defenses with his passing, runs the floor exceptionally well, is a high-volume rebounder and a highlight-creating athlete. Bagley will be able to play anywhere that he would like in college and he's going to be fun to watch for the next three seasons of high school.Here to view this Link..Here to view this Link., who are just off the pace being set by Bagley and De Sousa. At 6-foot-4, Smart can be a high scorer from the wing or play as a jumbo point guard. He played the entire summer up on the 17U level of Nike's Elite Youth Basketball League and more than held his own. He also made USA Basketball's gold medal winning 16U squad. Also a member of the 16U national team, Brown is a thin, skilled and athletic four man. He glides up and down the school like a guard, has a nice blend of inside and outside to his game and shows promise as a shot blocker on the defensive end.

There are three players in the initial Top 25 and four-star range who have pretty well known fathers. No. 10 Bol BolClick Overall, the approach with the class of 2018 at this point is a cautious one. We've only designated 11 five-star prospects, while the rest of the early top 25 are four-star prospects. In addition to those who made the top 25, we have assigned four-star status to an additional 27 prospects in the class. An additional 46 prospects have made the first round of three-star prospects. We expect to see many more 2018 prospects that we will either be getting first looks at or more in depth evaluations on during the fall and will adjust the list of prospects who have star ratings accordingly.Here to view this Link. is the son of Manute Bol, while four-star prospect Shareef O'NealClick Overall, the approach with the class of 2018 at this point is a cautious one. We've only designated 11 five-star prospects, while the rest of the early top 25 are four-star prospects. In addition to those who made the top 25, we have assigned four-star status to an additional 27 prospects in the class. An additional 46 prospects have made the first round of three-star prospects. We expect to see many more 2018 prospects that we will either be getting first looks at or more in depth evaluations on during the fall and will adjust the list of prospects who have star ratings accordingly.Here to view this Link. is the son of Shaquille O'Neal. Pushing 6-foot-11, Bol is a product of Roeland Park (Kan.) Bishop Miege who is built exactly like his father and the five-star is highly skilled with the ball and shoots with deep range. Much more slender and wiry than his powerful father, O'Neal is a 6-foot-8 power forward from Los Angeles (Calif.) Windward and a quick off the floor athlete who shows flashes of big-time potential.

It is still very early, so we wouldn't expect many 2018 prospects to have made verbal commitments, but two of the non-ranked four-stars have made their choices. Six-foot-4 shooting guard Joe WieskampClick Since we've now mentioned O'Neal along with Bagley and Brown, it's a good time to point out that the West Coast appears to have a group of 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-10 big guys who are all long on potential. What is most interesting is that they all seem to have the same slender build and that they all show potential without yet dominating much. At No. 23 and No. 24 K.J. HymesClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. and J'Raan BrooksClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. are representing Phoenix and Seattle. Four-star Miles NorrisClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. is another out of the same mold, while three-stars Kamaka HepaClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link., Taeshon CherryClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link., Bryan Johnson-PennClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. and Warren WashingtonClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. are all similar as well.Here to view this Link. has already committed to home state IowaClick Since we've now mentioned O'Neal along with Bagley and Brown, it's a good time to point out that the West Coast appears to have a group of 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-10 big guys who are all long on potential. What is most interesting is that they all seem to have the same slender build and that they all show potential without yet dominating much. At No. 23 and No. 24 K.J. HymesClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. and J'Raan BrooksClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. are representing Phoenix and Seattle. Four-star Miles NorrisClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. is another out of the same mold, while three-stars Kamaka HepaClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link., Taeshon CherryClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link., Bryan Johnson-PennClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. and Warren WashingtonClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. are all similar as well.Here to view this Link.. Just below Wieskamp on the map, 6-foot-9 power forward Jontay PorterClick Since we've now mentioned O'Neal along with Bagley and Brown, it's a good time to point out that the West Coast appears to have a group of 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-10 big guys who are all long on potential. What is most interesting is that they all seem to have the same slender build and that they all show potential without yet dominating much. At No. 23 and No. 24 K.J. HymesClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. and J'Raan BrooksClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. are representing Phoenix and Seattle. Four-star Miles NorrisClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. is another out of the same mold, while three-stars Kamaka HepaClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link., Taeshon CherryClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link., Bryan Johnson-PennClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. and Warren WashingtonClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. are all similar as well.Here to view this Link. from Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton has made an early commitment to WashingtonClick Since we've now mentioned O'Neal along with Bagley and Brown, it's a good time to point out that the West Coast appears to have a group of 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-10 big guys who are all long on potential. What is most interesting is that they all seem to have the same slender build and that they all show potential without yet dominating much. At No. 23 and No. 24 K.J. HymesClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. and J'Raan BrooksClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. are representing Phoenix and Seattle. Four-star Miles NorrisClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. is another out of the same mold, while three-stars Kamaka HepaClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link., Taeshon CherryClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link., Bryan Johnson-PennClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. and Warren WashingtonClick Perhaps the top shooter that Rivals has seen in the class of 2018, 5-foot-11 point guard Darius Garland's father Winston Garland also played in the NBA. Garland has quickness and feel for the game to go along with his deadly three-point jump shot.Here to view this Link. are all similar as well.Here to view this Link..

Among the 98 prospects to make the initial top 25 or receive four or three-star ratings, a total of 33 states plus the District of Columbia are represented. Texas leads the way by claiming 11 of those spots, while California puts 10 and Florida eight players on the initial list.

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