RivalsHoops announces final 2005 rankings

The NIKE Hoop Summit game ended an interesting basketball recruiting year that saw several players make strong moves up the national rankings. While the senior class doesn't have as many "straight to the pros" guys in it as it's predecessor or the 2006 class, as many as four to seven players are currently weighing their options to bypass college and make the leap to the NBA.

After a summer of extensive travel, the entire high school season and a flurry of high profile all-star games, Rivals.com is proud to release the final rankings for the Class of 2005.

It should be noted that certain areas of a player's game are more easily developed than others, and the developmental curve is of utmost importance. Rankings are more about what a player will become than where he is right now. Where a player is now, however, says a lot about where he could be.

Click here here for the final Rivals150 rankings for the Class of 2005.

Gerald Green is Rivals.com's top player for the Class of 2005

Rivals.com rated Gerald Green, a 6-foot-8, 195-pound shooting guard from Gulf Shores Academy in Houston, Texas, as the number one player in the class of 2005 after the summer evaluation period. Green upheld his reputation as the top high school player in the nation as a senior and shined on the biggest stage to end his career at the 2005 McDonald's All-American game.

Green, the most athletic prep star in the nation, is a highlight reel in motion. Mixed with incredible jumping ability and the ability to bury the three point bucket, Green started his run to the top at the Kingwood Classic last April, then he ended the summer with a MVP performance at the loaded ABCD camp in Teaneck, N.J.

With his Gulf Shores team, Green traveled the country, playing in several top tournaments. He didn't disappoint on that level either. Green shined at the West Virginia Shootout, the KMOX Shootout and the Low Down Classic.

Green finished his high school career strong at the McDonald's All-American game where he drained six of nine 3-pointers from deep en route to game high 26 points.

He wowed the country and scouts with his range and mind-boggling athleticism and a jump to the NBA could be imminent.

In action: Gerald Green video clips

Indiana big man checks in at No. 2

Duke bound Josh McRoberts was named Most Valuable Player at the McDonald's game after posting 17 points and 12 rebounds. He showed why he checks in at the No. 2 overall spot in the class of 2005 by shooting the three, working hard for boards and his masterful passing skills.

During the course of his prep career, McRoberts evolved from a thin face up shooter to a true big man that should contribute right away at the college level. The 6-foot-11, 241-pound power forward from Carmel (Ind.) High School has said he will not put his name in the NBA draft, but many believe he could be a top 20 pick if he were to come out.

Duke will gladly accept him and insert him into the rotation right away.

In action: Josh McRoberts video clips

Magnolia standout the South's finest

The real Monta Ellis didn't play the game he's used to playing at the McDonald's All-American game, spending a lot of time on the bench and pushing himself too hard when he did pay. That one performance, however, doesn't take away the kind of talent he really is.

The 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Lanier High School in Jackson, Miss., averaged more than 40 points a contest this season, including a 48-point game against Oak Hill Academy at the Kentucky Hoop Fest and 46 points against Louis Williams and South Gwinnett (Ga.) High in a thrilling double overtime victory.

Ellis finishes at the No. 3 ranked senior in the country by Rivals.com. Many believe Ellis will enter his name into the NBA draft and find a spot in the first round, bypassing the chance to play at Mississippi State.

In action: Monte Ellis video clips

In action: Monta Ellis video clips

Strong Finishers from the 2005 class

Making the most significant jump of any player in the Rivals150, Andrew Bynum leaped from No. 28 to No. 6 in the final rankings for the 2005 class.

Always possessing the potential to be a top ten player, Bynum, a 7-foot, 300-pound center, improved his conditioning during his senior season and is now able to consistently get up and down the court. Once in the lane, the 17 year old Bynum is a force both defensively and offensively. With his great size, he can prevent shots without even jumping, and with his improved mobility, he can rebound outside of his position.

Offensively, he has sure hands, a soft touch and a developing explosiveness to go through defenders and finish. Bynum will attend Connecticut in what could be a very short stay, before following the path of many of the Huskies' other big men to the NBA.

Also making his debut as five-star prospect is Bahamian native Magnum Rolle. At 6-foot-9, 200-pounds, Rolle has the athleticism and developing skill level to be a small forward at the highest level. Having only played the game of basketball for three years, Rolle will attend LSU this fall where he will continue to work on developing his physical strength and improve his feel for the game.

A true diamond in the rough, Rolle, with his length and athleticism, has a chance to be as good as anyone in this class ten years from now. Rolle checks in at No. 18 in the final Class of 2005 Rivals150.

A Rivals.com four-star prospect coming out of the summer, North Carolina signee Danny Green put up very solid numbers across the stat sheet during his senior season as he led St. Mary's High School to an outstanding season. Green, a 6-foot-5, 180-pound wing player, will finish his high school career in the upper echelon of four-star players at No. 31.

Not an explosive athlete, but a deceptive athlete wit a quick first step, Green is a heady player with a complete skill package who always seems to be in the right position on the court to make plays. Look for the smooth shooting Green to contend for playing time at either of the wing positions next season.

After dominating the competition early in his high school career with purely his size, strength and athleticism, Tyler Smith began to fall in the rankings as players with a higher skill level started to catch up with him physically.

After his junior season, the 6-foot-7, 210-pound Smith dedicated himself to improving his skill level. His hard work came to fruition during his senior campaign as he blossomed into a legitimate small forward who could do more than make a spin move and dunk. Smith is now attacking the basket with either hand and finishing with either hand, making three-pointers when the defense plays off him and hitting open shooters off his penetration.

Along with his improving offensive skills, Smith has continued to play with intensity on the defensive end and on the boards. Smith, who is ranked No. 34 in the Rivals150, will certainly inject a much needed competitive spirit into the Tennessee program next fall.

Media inquiries: Jerry Meyer, National basketball analyst jmeyer@rivals.com