Last week ESPN released an updated version of its class of 2012 player rankings. Duke signee Rasheed Sulaimon checks in as the 13th ranked player overall and the 3rd best shooting guard in the class. The future Duke sharpshooter is virtually a lock to make the McDonald’s All American game in April.
Shabazz Muhammad still holds the top ranking in the class of 2012 and is not likely to lose that title. Duke targets Tony Parker and Amile Jefferson have both moved up in the overall rankings to 20th and 17th respectively.
Notably, former 2012 Duke recruit Mitch McGary, who committed to Michigan over Duke last fall, has dropped significantly, from second overall now to 21st overall, in the latest edition of ESPN’s player rankings.
It’s shaping up to be a strong year overall for ACC basketball recruiting. North Carolina has the fourth ranked class according to ESPN. Mark Gottfried is set to bring in the sixth ranked 2012 class to North Carolina State next season. The Wolfpack are in a fistfight with Duke to land five star combo forward Amile Jefferson at the moment. Wake Forest, Virginia and Maryland all have 2012 recruiting classes ranked in the top 25.
Similarly, Scout.com refreshed its 2013 and 2014 player rankings. Duke’s lone 2013 commit, Matt Jones moved from No. 23 to No. 20 overall and is ranked the fourth best shooting guard in the class. Duke recruits Jabari Parker, Nerlens Noel and Julius Randle are ranked first, second and third respectively. All three are in the argument for the best player in high school basketball regardless of class. Experts feel Noel could eventually surpass Jabari Parker for the top ranked player in 2013 due to his freakish length, shot blocking ability and upside, much like Anthony Davis.
North Carolina currently has the top ranked 2013 class with verbal commitments from Nate Britt, a 6-foot-1, five-star point guard, and Isaiah Hicks, a 6-foot-8 five star combo forward from North Carolina. A few weeks ago, Hicks was finally deemed eligible to play basketball at Webb High School after transferring from Body of Christ Academy in Raleigh this year. The Tar Heels are also heavily recruiting Troy Williams, Julius Randle and Jabari Parker in the 2013 class.
Like the 2013 class, the class of 2014 has some special talent at the top. Andrew Wiggins still claims the number one ranking in 2014 and it will likely be difficult for anyone to surpass him in the next two years. The 6-foot-6 wing is a world-class athlete with a skill set that is beginning to catch up to his body. Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida State, West Virginia and North Carolina are all pursuing Wiggins. At this point, Florida State and Kentucky may be the early front-runners for the Canadian small forward. Both of Wiggins’ parents played sports at Florida State, while Kentucky has already received several unofficial visits from Wiggins.
Ranked second overall in 2014 is Jahlil Okafor. Duke offered the 6-foot-9, 270-pound Chicago native a scholarship last fall. At this point, Okafor is the only 2014 player with an official scholarship offer from the Blue Devil coaching staff at this time and has already taken an unofficial visit to Duke with his Dad this winter.
Arguably the best point guard in all of high school basketball, Tyus Jones is ranked fifth overall in 2014 and is being heavily recruited by Duke. After being ranked atop his class for much of his freshman year, Theo Pinson, a 6-foot-5 dynamic wing from Greensboro, has dropped to the eleventh overall ranking. Pinson’s teammate and fellow Duke target, JaQuel Richmond, is ranked 25th overall in the class.
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