Top 10: Available 2011 prospects
As the spring signing period grows closer, the number of available prospects has dwindled to a precious few. Each week, Rivals.com recruiting analysts Jerry Meyer and Eric Bossi break down the top 10 in a different category. This week, they take a look at the top remaining prospects from the class of 2011.
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School: Bradenton (Fla.) IMG
The Buzz: There was a time when the 6-foot-8 forward had wrapped up his recruitment by committing to Texas. Then, after opening things up, he came ever so close to committing to Kentucky. Next, Kansas seemed to have the inside track and now Duke is the latest to make a strong push for the nation's ninth-ranked player in the class of 2011.
2. Ben McLemore
School: Humble (Texas) Christian Life
The Buzz: It's been quite a year for the No. 17 player in 2011. A 6-foot-5 wing from St. Louis, he's gone from total unknown, to five-star talent, and from his hometown to mighty Oak Hill and now Christian Life in the last 12 months. In a little less than two weeks, McLemore will end his recruitment at the Next All-American game in Chicago. Kansas is the heavy favorite over his other finalist, Missouri.
3. Trevor Lacey
School: Huntsville (Ala.) Butler
The Buzz: A solidly built 6-foot-3 shooting guard, Lacey recently wrapped up what is most likely to go down as a legendary high school career in the state of Alabama. The 34th-ranked player in the class of 2011, he lists Auburn, Kansas and Connecticut. However, it appears to be coming down to Kentucky and Alabama for the four-star prospect.
School: Ridgeland (Miss.)
The Buzz: The class of 2011's No. 77 player, the 6-foot-5 Luckett has a blend of athleticism and scoring ability that many high-majors covet. However, it looks like he may be destined to go the junior college route despite suitors such as Colorado, Mississippi State, Missouri State, Clemson and others.
5. Jarion Henry
School: Dallas (Texas) Kimball
The Buzz: As a senior, the 6-foot-8 forward who ranks No. 84 overall in the class of 2011 helped lead Kimball to a state title. A slender athlete with quickness and versatility, his recruitment seems to be up in the air. He's yet to set up any visits and has a constantly changing list but USC, New Mexico, UTEP, Georgetown, Oregon and others have been involved at one level or another this winter.
6. Otto Porter
School: Sikeston (Mo.) Scott County Central
The Buzz: The skilled 6-foot-8 forward is a sure bet to make a huge climb up the rankings from his current spot of 97 when things get adjusted. Over the weekend he won his third straight state title and became the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Missouri Final Four. At the moment, he figures to be a very heavy lean to Missouri but Georgetown has been putting in work and he's recently added Kansas to his final list of schools.
School: Wolfeboro (N.H.) Brewster Prep
The Buzz: The top unsigned point guard in the country, he's a three-star prospect who currently checks in at No. 109 in the Rivals150. He's physical, plays with intelligence and can play either on or off the ball. Among those he's considering are Wake Forest, Indiana, UCLA, Seton Hall, Iowa, Oregon State, Virginia Tech, Charlotte, Seton Hall and many more.
School: Edmond (Okla.) Sante Fe
The Buzz: A 6-foot-5 wing, the nation's 121st-ranked senior, is a versatile performer who can handle the ball and is a terror in transition. He visited Missouri State officially last week. He's also officially visited Georgia Tech but his status with Tech is iffy after Paul Hewitt's firing. TCU is also expected to get a visit while Ole Miss, UCLA, Oklahoma State and others have placed recent feelers.
School: Cream Ridge (N.J.) New Egypt
The Buzz: A thin, 6-foot-9 shot blocker who can really run the floor, Hubert currently checks in at No. 131 in the Rivals150. As a senior, reports have indicated that he's improved his offense - despite scoring less - and started to add some much-needed bulk. He visited Maryland officially during the fall and is supposed to visit North Carolina but has yet to set up his visit. Barring a last minute change, the Terps and Heels are his finalists.
10. Pierre Jackson
School: Twin Falls (Idaho) College of Southern Idaho
The Buzz: A junior college sophomore, the 5-foot-10 native of Las Vegas was the talk of last week's Division I NJCAA Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. While there, Jackson led his team to a national title and was named the tournament's MVP. He defends, scores and leads his team, and may be the best unsigned point guard - high school or junior college - in the country. Creighton, Hawaii, Nebraska, Portland State, UCLA, Iowa and Iowa State are just a few who have expressed interest. Look for his recruitment to get heated after his performance in Hutch.
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