Rivals.com ranks the best in the 2010 class
Sure, it is early in the game to be talking about the class of 2010.
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But with 12 players already committed to colleges, the focus has fast-forwarded to this class quicker than its predecessors. Rivals.com unveils its initial top 10 ranking for the class of 2010 today.
It is never an easy task to evaluate younger players. It is more difficult to project players that have only spent a year (at best) on the big stage with their varsity team in high school or on the AAU circuit.
With that in mind, Rivals.com National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Jerry Meyer said a trio of players have stood out the most early in the process.
"Right now, it looks like the candidates for the No. 1 spot consist of three players," Meyer said.
Jeremy Tyler, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward from San Diego (Calif.) High School, has impressed at every event he has played in this AAU season.
"Jeremy Tyler has NBA size and an advanced game for a player in this class," Meyer said. "He has a chance to be a very skilled power forward that the pros will watch. He fits that mold."
Florida guard Brandon Knight has been a constant on the 17-and-under circuit this year, and he shined with Team Breakdown as a tremendous lead guard. He's one of the top guards in the nation regardless of class.
"Brandon Knight has great size, good basketball IQ and is the total package at the point guard spot," Meyer said. "He has the athleticism, the skill set and the understanding of the position."
Rounding out the top three is Indiana wing DeShaun Thomas. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound Fort Wayne native has put up impressive numbers to date.
"DeShaun Thomas was tough to get a good look at this summer," Meyer said. "We saw him in Las Vegas, and you could tell he has a lot of talent. Thomas has a big reputation, and we are looking forward to seeing more of him down the road."
Ten different states are represented in the initial top 10 ranking, and the ranking is heavy with guards. Traditionally, guards stand out more than big men early in the process. The post players take longer to match their skill set with their growing bodies and generally climb up the rankings at a quicker pace.
Time is certainly on the class of 2010's side. It is important to note that a lot of changes will be made from now until the time the class graduates from high school.
The ranking is merely a measuring stick of the players that Rivals.com has seen to date. These rankings are more of a prologue instead of chapter one.
The book has plenty of time to be written.
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