Now that many high schools are starting up again basketball season will be upon us before you know it. With that, many of the top prospects in the class of 2012 are coming off the board. However, college programs of any level that are still looking to fill a spot or two can find some very talented players. Here is a detailed look at the top players remaining broken down by college prospectus.
Division I Prospects
1. Gary Harris: 6'4'' Shooting Guard, Hamilton Southeastern H.S.
This is the obvious choice for the #1 slot. Harris was ranked #11 in the country in the latest ESPN rankings. He can essentially take his pick as to where he will play college basketball, currently Indiana, Michigan State, Purdue, Louisville, and Notre Dame are after Harris the hardest and seem to be at the top of his list, though he has not officially named any finalists. Michigan and Ohio State are other schools that have offered and may be in the mix, and Kentucky has been showing some interest.
2. DeJaun Marrero: 6'6'' Small Forward, Bowman Academy
Marrero is a versatile, inside-outside player that causes serious match up problems for opposing defenses. He plays with a great motor and is an elite rebounder for his size. However, he is a bit of a "tweener" which will cause more of a problem at the next level than it does in high school. Marrero lists these schools as the main ones that are in the running for his services Illinois, Indiana, Xavier, Purdue, Ball State, Minnesota, Memphis and Dayton, all have offered. Kansas and Tennessee have recently begun to show interest as well. He has stated that there are no clear front-runners at this time, but he may be shortening his list of possible suitors in the near future.
3. Eron Harris: 6'3'' Shooting Guard, Lawrence North H.S.
Even though he is un-committed, his recruitment is not necessarily open. Eron has named Wisconsin and Dayton has his Final 2 schools.
4. Patrick Ingram: 6'2'' Shooting Guard, North Central H.S.
Ingram has seen his recruitment pick up after a very solid summer circuit. He picked up an offer from Iowa and was just recently offered by Georgia State. His teammate from the Eric Gordon Central Stars, Nick Osborne, just committed to Loyola, so one could assume that they are in the mix (they have offered him). He also just got back from a visit to St. Louis and they are considered a front-runner for the strong guard. Southern Illinois and Ball State have also offered.
5. D.J. Balentine: 6'1'' Point Guard, Kokomo H.S.
He is another member of the EG10 AAU squad that had a great summer. Nick Osborne has already been on the phone with Balentine, as well as Ingram, give a recruiting talk on behalf of Loyola, who has offered. Missouri State, Evansville and Wright State have all offered the talented guard this summer, and Indiana State and IPFW are also in the mix.
6. Jared Drew: 6'6'' Small Forward, Cathedral H.S.
Boston College has recently become interested in this athletic wing player. He has a multitude of offers and told the Indiana Recruiting Guide just a couple of days ago that he has cut his list to 5, but he is not ready to release the list. Loyola, St. Louis, Lamar, IUPUI are some of the schools that have offered that are after him the hardest.
7. Kellon Thomas: 5'11'' Point Guard, Southport H.S.
Kellon just shortened his list to a Final 5 of Florida Atlantic, IPFW, IUPUI, Kent State, and UC-Davis. I know that he is a top priority of the IUPUI staff.
8. Obij Aget: 7'1'' Center, La Lumiere School
I know that I am not as big a fan of Obij as lots of people so I may get some grief for putting him #8 on this list. Obviously, when you are 7'1'' and have the athleticism that he has you are going to get tons of big time Division I offers, however I question how productive he will ever become. His recruitment is pretty much wide open still. He visited New Mexico this weekend and holds offers from schools such as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Mississippi.
9. Edward Seay: 6'9'' Power Forward, Merrillville H.S.
Seay is a little under the radar, but I fell in love with this kid at the Top 100 workout. His length and athleticism are big assets. He is a great shot blocker and is developing a good offensive game as well. He does not have any offers at this point, but Northern Illinois, Dayton, Loyola, Western Michigan, and Illinois State are interested. Coaches from Michigan have also been keeping tabs on him. He may be a year or so away from being a big-time contributor, but any mid-major school still in need of a big man should get on him right away.
10. J.T. Yoho: 6'5'' Shooting Guard, Eastern Greene H.S.
Yoho does not overwhelm you with athleticism, but he sure can score it. His size allows him to get some mis-matches and he is a great shooter from both mid-range and from outside. Bowling Green, IPFW, Gardner-Webb, and Wright State have offered and he is currently visiting all of those schools before making a decision. Will be a good pure scorer at the mid-major level.
11. Jermaine Meyers: 6'0'' Point Guard, Culver Academy
Very good all-around point guard. He could contribute some minutes right away at the low to mid-major level. Meyers has offers from Ball State, Drake, Indiana State, Ohio, and Valparaiso. IUPUI has begun showing interest as well.
12. Elijah Ray: 6'6'' Power Forward, Bowman Academy
I really like this kid. He is a very strong body but is also a good athlete. Ray is probably one of the best rebounders left on the board, so any low or mid-major in need of rebounding help, don't let the 6'6'' frame scare you and get after him. He is a top level student as well, showcased by the interest he is receiving from schools like Harvard, UC-Irvine, and Illinois. His only offers are from Indiana State and Valparaiso.
13. Joe Reed: 6'8'' Power Forward, Center Grove H.S.
Reed benefited from a great month of July, he now holds 3 DI offers from Toledo, American and Indiana State. Interest has been coming in from Ball State, IUPUI, Illinois-Chicago and Northern Illinois. He has stated that he would like to make a decision by the end of the month, but may make a couple of more visits first.
14. Ryan Weber: 6'6'' Small Forward, Roncalli H.S.
Ryan is a versatile wing player with good strength that allows him to play either the 3 or the 4. He has offers from Drake, IPFW, Gardner-Webb, Lamar, Youngstown State, and Boston.
15. Jalen Pendleton: 6'3'' Shooting Guard, Evansville Bosse H.S.
He only has one Division I offer, from Indiana State. I really like him on the defensive end and is an overall good athlete with good strength. He needs to work on his perimeter game, but I see him as a good low-DI prospect.
The previous 15 names are guys that are for sure Division I prospects. The next 5 names are players that are right on the cusp between the Division I and Division II level.
Harry Willis: 6'2'' Point Guard, Ben Davis H.S.
He holds an offer from Mississippi Valley State (Division I) and Indianapolis (Division II). Valparaiso has also shown interest. I like him at the low DI level, his athleticism allows him to create for himself off the dribble and he has the potential to be a very good defender at the next level.
Kendall Waters: 5'10'' Point Guard, Muncie Central H.S.
Waters is a good all-around talent, but his lack of size and strength may keep him from the DI level. I think he could go in and contribute right away at a Division II program. He has interest from SIU-Edwardsville and Eastern Kentucky. DII coaches, call this guy if you need a point guard.
Brent Calhoun: 6'8'' Center, Warren Central H.S.
Brent had a very strong last week of July that lead to picking up 2 Division I offers from Lamar and Appalachian State. He isn't the most athletic guy, but he works hard on both ends of the floor. I think he will be a solid player off the bench at a low-DI program.
Tyler Alderman: 6'9'' Center, Fishers H.S.
Holds an offer from SIU-Edwardsville and has some interest from Toledo, Indiana State, and Evansville. I think he could be a stud at the Division II level so coaches should get on him right away. However, at a DI program he would be more of a project, he isn't very quick or athletic, but his big frame allows him to get the job done. He is a good kid with a solid work ethic.
David Heckman: 6'7'' Small Forward, Roncalli H.S.
David is probably more of a DII prospect. He has an offer from Findlay (DII), but is getting some DI interest from schools like Samford, Leigh, and Furman.
There you have it. 20 names of potential Division I prospects that have yet to make their college decision. If your program needs any more information on one of these guys please get ahold of me. I can be reached by email at ramseyb14@hanover.edu.
