THE RIVALS150: 2016 | 2017

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Basketball's annual Fall Developmental

Camp kicked off on Saturday and the amount of talent assembled from the classes

of 2016, 2017 and 2018 is beyond impressive. With stars all over the gym, 2016's

No. 1 player Josh Jackson showed why he's currently in possession of the

top spot.

There are some who disagree with Rivals.com's choice of 6-foot-7 wing Josh Jackson as the top player in the country. That's fair enough because the

class of 2016 is loaded at the top. On Saturday, though, Jackson reinforced why we see him as the top player in the class.

Jackson made plays off the dribble, scored in traffic, hit some deep jumpers and

was outstanding as a facilitator and a defender. What can always be counted on

with Jackson is that he is going to compete and in a gym filled with alpha dog-type competitors, he is the most

alpha of the alphas.

Jackson told Rivals.com that he's still working with his mother to figure out

official visit dates and that he would most likely be setting up trips to

Arizona and Kansas in the near future. He also said he has

taken notice of Michigan State's additions of Cassius Winston

and Miles Bridges and that those two being there could play into his

decision.

A four-star prospect from the class of 2017, shooting guard Jaylen Nowell

is a throwback kind of kid.

While he is a top shelf athlete, the 6-foot-4 product of Seattle (Wash.)

Garfield has a game that is built upon playing strong defense and hitting mid-range jump shots. He did both of those things on Saturday and he also got out

and flourished in transition.

Nowell said that he has had Washington, California,

Stanford, Oregon and UCLA come by to see him workout

so far this year. The Huskies and Bears have offered and he thinks more are on

the way soon.

The No. 20-ranked player in the class of 2018, 6-foot-7 combo forward

Brandon Johns plays like a player that is someday going to make winning

plays for a very good college team.

In terms of fundamentals and natural feel for the game, Johns was one of

Saturday's standouts. He plays hard and he is a gifted passer.

Right now, Johns sees himself as a skilled four man and thinks he could

eventually play some at the three as well. It's a pretty fair self assessment.

Johns said that he has picked up his first offer from Alabama. Michigan

State, Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana have all been

in to see Johns this fall.

The most

effective point guard on Saturday was De'Aaron Fox. 2016's No. 5

player, Fox was pretty much unstoppable off the dribble and his ability to be

scorer or playmaker at 6-foot-4 is big-time. As good as he is on offense, Fox

might be even better on the defensive end.

Clearly,

Duke commit Jayson Tatum is no slouch. The No. 3 player in

2016, Tatum has always been highly-regarded. However, he looks to have taken his

game to a new level. Tatum has always been quite skilled and his feel for

scoring the ball is refined. Now he's added a new level of athleticism and

become more dynamic off of the dribble.

Five-star big

man Marques Bolden said that after visiting Kansas next

weekend he would decide on whether or not to take his planned official to

Oklahoma. Bolden refused to name a leader but Duke and

Kentucky have had him on campus and appear to be in good shape with

him.

Another of the

improved five-stars is Washington-bound guard Markelle Fultz.

Fultz scored at all three levels and did so with lots of confidence. Watching

him in skill work, it's clear he spends a lot of time honing his craft.

The current

offer list for power forward Justyn Hamilton reads Northwestern State,

North Florida, College of Charleston, High Point and VCU. He will certainly earn

many more. A thin 6-foot-9 power forward, Hamilton shows promise on the glass,

as a transition athlete and he can also make some short to medium range shots.

Tennessee and Syracuse have also been in to see him.

The top player

in the class of 2017, Wendell Carter is always exactly where he is

supposed to be. The 6-foot-10 power forward has a great basketball IQ, polished

footwork, touch and he is a dangerous shot blocker. Carter said that he'll visit

Duke soon for their Countdown to Craziness event and that he may go to

Kentucky's Big Blue Madness.

A local

product, 6-foot-6 wing D'Shawn Schwartz looks like a potential high

major wing. He has a relentless motor, is active on both ends and makes a lot of

plays. Tad Boyle is expected to be in soon and an offer from

Colorado appears to be imminent.

Paired for much

of the night with Carter, 2017's No. 2 player Trevon Duval got wherever

he wanted to go off the dribble. He doesn't hesitate to attack and is a scoring

ConnecticutClick point guard with toughness.Here to view this Link.

fans won't need long to warm up to point guard Alterique Gilbert next

year. The four-star point guard was solid in every aspect of the game on

Saturday and made great decisions with the ball.

Another Duke

commitment in attendance, 6-foot-3 point guard Frank Jackson is another

scoring floor general. He can also play at the two, but he's at his best with

the ball in his hands. Jackson has an extra gear he can get to.

Last but not

least, Michigan State-bound five-star Joshua Langford had it

figured out on Saturday. Play tough, play defense, make good decisions on

offense and stand out. He had a strong all-around performance.