Familiar faces highlight pre-summer 2007 rankings

After countless hours of travel and evaluation, Rivals.com is proud to unveil the initial Rivals150 for the Class of 2007.

"We feel great about this list, but we fully realize ranking prospects is a continual process." Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer said. "As the summer unfolds we will be scrutinizing our list and further evaluating these players and other players that deserve to be in the Rivals150.

"What makes our rankings unique and more difficult to put together is the fact that we are attempting to project where these players will be three to five years down the road."

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O.J. Mayo continues his reign as the No. 1-ranked prospect in the class.

Bill Walker, Mayo's prep teammate, holds on to the No. 2 ranking with his tremendous upside and flashes of brilliance.

But, a handful of other prospects are challenging Walker for the No. 2 spot, namely Chicago point guard Derrick Rose, who moved up from No. 8 to No. 3. Michael Beasley and Kevin Love are close behind at No. 4 and No. 5.

"Rose has elite level athleticism, which you don't often find at the point guard position," Meyer said. "But, the best thing about Rose is his unselfish play and feel for the game. He's the type of catalyst for a team that makes everyone around him a better player."

Dallas power forward Anthony Randolph also moved into the top ten, going from No. 25 to No. 7.

"Although he is at No. 7 right now, Randolph has the type of talent to move up even higher in the rankings," Meyer said. "He is an extremely long and athletic player that can play inside and out. The question is can he discipline his game enough to be a productive player night in and night out."

Seven new five-star rankings handed out

Seven recruits received a five-star ranking for the first time, including Austin Freeman (No. 11), Kalin Lucas (No. 13), Donte Green (No. 15), Nick Calathes (No. 17), Blake Griffin (No. 18), Chris Allen (No. 22) and Evan Turner (No. 23).

Allen and Lucas are two of Michigan State's three commitments from this class. Durrell Summers is ranked No. 28.

"Not only is Michigan State getting three highly-ranked players, but they are getting three guys that fit in perfectly in Tom Izzo's up tempo, perimeter-oriented offense." Meyer said. "Lucas does a great job pushing the tempo and passing the ball up the court. Allen and Summers are two wing players who can run and score."

Green is heading to Syracuse and Calathes is bound for Florida.

"Green has a nice combination of length, with his 8-foot-9 reach, and skills with the ball," Meyer said. "He's a true combo forward who has a chance to be an elite prospect if he refines his outside jump shot and develops a more physical style of play.

"Calathes has a basketball I.Q. that is off the charts and he is very skilled with the ball," Meyer said. "At 6-foot-5, he is still growing and has true combo guard skills. The key for his further development is gaining physical strength and improving as a defender."