Harrison maintains 2013s top spot
When Rivals.com first analyzed at the class of 2013 following last summer, we only expanded the rankings to 15 players. However, the period between the July prior to a player's sophomore year and the May following it presents many changes. With that in mind, Rivals.com expanded its ranking for the 2013 class to 100 players on Thursday.
Advertisement
While there are several names that will be new to Rivals.com subscribers, the name at the top remains the same. Texas-bred point guard Andrew Harrison holds on to the No. 1 spot.
"It's never easy picking a No. 1 prospect with prospects as young as rising juniors. This is certainly the case with this 2013 class with its strong group of elite prospects," said Rivals.com's lead national basketball analyst Jerry Meyer. "A unique prospect with his size and explosiveness at the point guard position, Harrison holds onto the No. 1 sport for now. But he has a group of forwards breathing down his neck going into the summer."
If Harrison needs any motivation to keep working, all he needs to do is look at the next three guys in the top 100, as each of the top four received consideration for the top spot.
Power forward Julius Randle from Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian is a beastly rebounder, can score and is nipping at the heels of Harrison. His blend of power and skill is tough to match in any class, let alone 2013.
Riding the strength of a monster spring, Floridian big man Chris Walker checks into the third spot. He's got outstanding size, can score the basketball at or facing the rim, is a big-time athlete and looks to be a guy who is coming into his own at a rapid pace.
Also making a hard charge at the top of the ranking is Chicago (Ill.) Simeon product Jabari Parker. Simeon has long produced big-time prospects and the 6-foot-7 Parker looks to be the next one. Extremely skilled on the wing, he can get just about any shot he wants, has great size and will go into the lane and rebound.
At Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, are New England big man Nerlens Noel and Colorado native Chris Thomas. Noel is arguably the top defensive big man in the class. He is a terrific rebounder and has made big strides on the offensive end. The 6-foot-4 Thomas may be the most explosive scorer in the class of 2013 and has been under-valued as a passer.
California forward Aaron Gordon's blend of size, strength, athleticism and skill make him easy to like in the top 10 and he's next at No. 7. Another New Englander, ballhandling wing Kuran Iverson, is next on the list. Rounding out the top 10 are Harrison's twin brother, Aaron Harrison, a physical shooting guard who checks in at No. 9 and versatile Memphis forward Johnathan Williams III.
[rl]