Class of 2011 Pre-Summer Rankings

With the summer AAU season rapidly approaching I wanted to rank the rising seniors in the class of 2011. I've attended several AAU tournaments this spring, and I felt like it would be a good time to do a ranking. The list is headlined by Kentucky commitment Marquis Teague, a 6'1 Point Guard from Pike High School in Indianapolis. Keep in mind that I'm doing these rankings based off a combination of long term potential and current production. Look for explanations and footnotes at the bottom of this post.

(Slight editors note- Matt Carlino has reclassified to the 2010 class and is thus missing from the rankings.)

1. Marquis Teague- 6'1 Guard- Pike High School (Kentucky Verbal Commitment)

Teague is an athletic point guard who can push the ball up and down the court at blazingly fast speeds. His jump shot is still fairly streaky, but he can score even when he's having a cold shooting night. Teague has the ball-handling to get to the rim at will, and the grace and skill to finish after contact. His speed and quickness also make him a threat pressuring the ball in both the half-court and full-court setting. His biggest knock is his inconsistency

2. Branden Dawson- 6'6 Small Forward- Gary Lew Wallace High School (Considering Purdue, Michigan State, Indiana, UCLA, Marquette, and Georgetown)

Dawson is a super athletic forward with a knack for rebounding the basketball. He's developed a nice mid-range game and is able to score using that or fighting for second chance points in the paint. Dawson's athleticism and motor allow him to be a formidable shot blocker for his size. Dawson's main area of concern is his 3-point shooting ability. There's no telling how good he could be if he improved his shooting ability from deep.

3. Michael Chandler- 6'10 Center- Lawrence North High School (Considering Louisville, Indiana, Purdue, Ohio State, Cincinnati, and others)

Chandler is a big man with outstanding athleticism and lots of potential. While his development has cooled off a little bit, Chandler is still a good player and great prospect. Chandler has good footwork in the paint, runs the floor very well, and can challenge any shot in his vicinity on defense. The biggest thing Chandler could do to improve is assert himself on the offensive game by adding a few back to the basket moves.

4. Cody Zeller- 6'10 Power Forward/Center- Washington High School (Considering North Carolina, Butler, Indiana, and others)

Zeller is a skilled big man with the ability to knock down long range jump shots. He's got great touch in the post, but also has the ability to take bigger opponents off the dribble and score at the rim. Zeller is a good but not great athlete who can pull down tough rebounds and block shots. Zeller needs to add a lot of strength to make an impact at the college level, but other than that he has a pretty well rounded game.

5. Mitch McGary- 6'10 Power Forward/Center- Chesterton High School (Considering Purdue, Indiana, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Xavier)

McGary is a post with a big frame and good athleticism. Right now he's about 240 pounds, but still has room to add muscle and bulk. The one thing that sticks out about McGary is his ability to run the floor. He's one of the quickest big men up the floor, leading to easy baskets in transition. McGary has good touch in the post and can score in the paint. He's also got shooting touch out to the 3-point line, but at times can fall in love with the 3-point shot. McGary's best work is done when he spends the majority of his time scoring in the paint, and then slips out to the perimeter to hit an unexpected jump shot. McGary's biggest room for improvement is expanding his offensive repertoire with his back to the basket.

6. Darwin "Dee" Davis- 5'9 Point Guard- Bloomington South High School (Xavier Verbal)

Davis is an undersized point guard who is lightning quick with the ball. What he lacks in strength, he makes up for in speed and athleticism. Davis is a great finisher near the basket, and possesses acrobatic moves that allow him to convert tough baskets. He has a good first step and is able to take defenders off the dribble and get to the rim. In the full court he is one man fast break, able to dish for an open bucket if necessary. The key for Davis to succeed is to maintain shooting consistency and add a little bit of strength to handle larger opponents.

7. Jeremiah Davis- 6'3 Combo Guard- Muncie Central High School (Considering Indiana, Michigan State, Xavier, Cincinnati, Tennessee, and others)

Davis is a strong combo guard who has the ability to get to the rim. He needs to tighten up his handles as I think he relies a little too much on strength to get to the rim at this point. Davis is a streaky shooter, but can really get hot from deep and has good form on his jumper. His strength and quickness make him a good perimeter defender when he gets after it. He's a good but not explosive athlete, who can throw down the dunk in transition. Davis has good court vision, and he can set up teammates well slashing through the defense. Davis has all the tools to be a good player, he just needs to be more consistent from game to game.

8. Austin Etherington- 6'6 Small Forward- Hamilton Heights High School (Indiana Verbal)

Etherington is a great shooter who can really fill it up from well behind the 3-point line. Perhaps his most underrated ability is his passing, making smart passes in the half-court and full-court setting. Etherington is a deceptive athlete, really able to throw down some power dunks once he gets a full head of steam. He's also a tough defender, and although he isn't the quickest guy, he really gets after it on defense. He also rebounds pretty well for his position, showing the ability to scrap for boards down low. Etherington needs to improve his ball-handling, which would make him more of a threat to score off the dribble.

9. Ryan Taylor- 6'5 Small Forward/Power Forward- Lawrence North High School (Louisville Verbal)

Taylor is a combo forward with a great motor. He'll fight for any rebound on the court, and can score points from offensive rebounds. Taylor has great athleticism, and can throw down some highlight reel dunks. He can absorb contact well near the rim to finish plays. He's improving his ball-handling, but his shooting still needs some work. Taylor will struggle to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball until he improves his shooting and ability to get to the rim.

10. Nic Moore- 5'9 Point Guard- Warsaw Community High School (Considering Evansville, IPFW, Ohio, Valparaiso, Indiana, and others)

Moore is an undersized point guard, but can really shoot the ball. He shot over 40% from behind the arc during his high school season. Moore is a speedy guard, albeit probably not at the same level as Dee Davis. Moore has the ball-handling and quickness to make him a great penetrate and kick guy. What he lacks in size he makes up for in heart, and is a true competitor.

Just missed the cut- Justin Gant, Kendall Griffin, Zac VanDeWater

*Notes*
1. Teague is the clear cut choice for number one.

2./3. Some people will knock Dawson for his lack of a 3-point game, but he's still producing. Chandler and Dawson both have a ton of potential, but I see Dawson as doing more with his potential currently.

4. I like Zeller at 4. If he can add strength and play with a little bit more of a mean streak I think he'll be a great college player.

5. I have McGary here because I think he has a good upside but is currently producing pretty well. He's got the size and skill, and now that he's finally healthy he should shine.

6./7. I like Dee Davis a little bit better here because of his ball-handling and constant effort. I feel like Jeremiah Davis can take some plays off and he needs to tighten up his dribbling. Jeremiah Davis has better potential as a shooter. This one is really a tossup.

8./9. I like Etherington a little better because of his ability to shoot and pass the ball. He's not quite the athlete that Taylor is, but still is a very good one. Taylor rebounds the ball better, but Etherington is the better all around player at the position. If Taylor could add a reliable jump shot he could be a great college player. They both need to improve ball-handling.

10. You could make a case for several guys here, but I went with Moore because he's got it. I don't know what "it" is, but when you watch him play you just know he will compete hard. He's a great shooter, great ball-handler, and great passer. I could see some high major teams regret passing on Moore down the road.

Indiana State AAU Tournament Saturday Recap

Today I attended the Indiana State AAU Tournament at Franklin Community High School. I saw two of the top rising seniors in the state in Marquis Teague and Branden Dawson, as well as a host of other players. Here is a quick rundown of the action I saw, and a brief report on how each player played:

17U:

Branden Dawson 6'6 Small Forward SYF Players- Dawson had two strong showings today, absolutely dominating the competition in the paint and on the glass. In his first game Dawson had 19 points, 9 rebounds, and a few blocked shots. He scored above the rim on put backs, alley oop passes, and even coordinated a few of his own dunks. He has great strength and body control, which makes him an affective scorer near the rim even if he isn't dunking the ball. He's not just a dunker, as he used the mid-range jumper 3 times to avoid any unnecessary contact with opponents. Dawson's motor is relentless, as he constantly fights for rebounds and loose balls. In his second game, Dawson continued his aerial assault, but also showcased his ability to knock down the 3-point shot. He's not a great 3-point shooter, but it isn't a wise move to beg him to shoot from deep by leaving him open. Dawson also excelled in the passing game, throwing multiple outlet passes to setup teammates for easy baskets in transition. Today was a great day for Dawson, as he continued to show off his toughness, athleticism, and nonstop effort.

Marquis Teague 6'1 Point Guard Progeny- Teague was a surprise guest at this tournament, playing with a new team just for this weekend. Teague was passive at first, but stepped up his aggressiveness as the games went on, scoring in double digits in both games I saw. Early on Teague played the role of set up man, looking for open teammates and breaking down the defense. As the game continued Teague shot 4-5 from 3-point range, while also pulling down 4 rebounds and dishing out 2 assists. In his second game Teague was more assertive going to the rim, throwing down multiple dunks and converting tough lay-ups. Teague played tough defense all day, not letting his man by him and forcing several steals. Overall today was a solid but not phenomenal day for Teague.

Mitch McGary 6'9 Power Forward/Center SYF- McGary spent a lot of time on the bench, resting a sore leg/knee, but when he played he impressed. McGary is a solid 6'9 225, and adds a nice dose of athleticism for a big man. He's a tough player who will scrap for rebounds and score a fair amount of points on the offensive glass. He runs the floor well, and benefits from great passing leading to lots of alley oop dunks and easy buckets. I didn't get to see McGary tested defensively, but he has good timing blocking shots, and he gets good position down low to defend. I hope to see a fully healthy Mitch McGary as the summer rolls on.

Zac VanDeWater 6'5 Guard Spiece Select- Vandewater is a solid off guard who could also play small forward. He did a nice job attacking the rim, and finishing through contact. He does a nice job of getting to the line and will convert free throws at a good rate. VanDeWater also is a good outside shooter, knocking down several 3-pointers today when given space. He's had a great start to the AAU season, and I look forward to watching him carry his momentum throughout the summer.

16U:

Jeremy Hollowell 6'7 Guard/Forward Eric Gordon All-Stars- Hollowell only scored 8 points today, but he still showed why he is a phenomenal talent. He did a little bit of everything, catching a lob for an alley oop, scoring on an offensive rebound, fighting through contact in the paint, and throwing down an fast-break dunk. Hollowell only took 6 shots, so with more assertiveness there is no doubt he could score more points. What impressed me the most about him was his ability to mix it up down low, but also handle the ball and play like a guard. Hollowell pulled down 5 rebounds, rebounding well from the wing and showing he wasn't afraid to mix it up on the glass. Defensively, his length bothered opponents and he blocked several shots. All in all Hollowell impressed and even though he didn't score a ton of points his versatility was very apparent.

Nick Osborne 6'8 Power Forward Eric Gordon All-Stars- Osborne has improved since I saw him during the high school season, looking much more comfortable on the court, and much more fluid in his movements. He scored 12 points, all coming in the paint. Osborne has great athleticism, and is beginning to show a great motor to go along with it. He grabbed several offensive rebounds and converted them into tough buckets. He also got to the foul line and was able to score some points from the charity stripe. He blocked and challenged multiple shots, but I do want to see him go up against a big man equal to him in talent. Osborne also showed a nice ability to pass out of the post, and not force himself into double teams. I'll keep an eye out for Osborne's continued improvement this summer.

Ronnie Johnson 5'10 Point Guard Eric Gordon All-Stats- Ronnie only scored 4 points, but he had a huge impact on the game leading the fast break and dishing out assists. He had 5 assists on the day, but also helped setup a variety of other baskets for teammates. His high-level speed and quickness allowed him to pressure ball-handlers and get into the lane where he could kick the ball out to teammates. Ronnie wasn't very assertive as a scorer today, but he showed his ability to impact a game without scoring much.

15U:

Darryl Baker 6'2 Combo Guard Team Southern Indiana Red- Baker is just finishing his freshman year, but he plays up a year with a 2012 team. The thing that stuck out to me about Baker was his ability to get to the rim and draw contact. He handled the ball well and drew fouls on three possessions in a row to start the game, hitting 4-6 free throws. Baker also knocked down an open 3-pointer and a nice pull up mid-range jumper, showing his soft shooting touch. Athletically he is very gifted as he used his quickness and leaping ability to get to the rim and finish. For only being a freshman Baker has a nice skill-set and he's a player I truly look forward to watching for the next 3 years.

Player Profile: 2011 Marquis Teague

Name: Marquis Teague
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'1 170
High School/AAU: Pike/Spiece Indy Heat
Position: Point Guard
Schools Considering: Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville
Timetable for Decision: Teague said he could announce at the end of this month, but after pushing back his decision multiple times no one truly knows.

Scouting Report:
The total package as a point guard, Marquis Teague wows you with his speed, athleticism, and quickness. Teague has outstanding ball-handling, and cannot be kept out of the lane when he's in the zone. Teague has the strength and skill to finish at the rim, and will not shy away from contact. He also has the vision to deliver passes to any point on the court. On defense Teague has the speed and skill to keep up with anyone, and could be a one man full court press. Teague is still improving and developing consistency on his jump-shot, but anyone who leaves him open from 3 will regret it. As Teague continues to showcase his game he will likely become a household name in NCAA Basketball.

IndyBall.com Shootout Preview

With AAU season finally upon us, it's time to start looking at the travel circuit. The first stop for me is North Central High School, home of the 2010 IndyBall.com Shootout this weekend. In what should be a loaded event, I'm excited to see who makes their preliminary mark on this AAU season. There will be teams from all over the state playing in this event, and a few from surrounding states as well. Here is a quick rundown of the talent I expect to see this weekend:

-2011 F/C Cody Zeller

-2011 C Marshall Plumlee

-2011 G Jeremiah Davis

-2011 G Matt Carlino

-2011 F Austin Etherington

-2011 C Michael Chandler

-2011 F Ryan Taylor

-2012 G Ron Patterson

-2012 G Jeremy Hollowell

-2012 G D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera

-2012 F Hanner Perea

-2012 C Peter Jurkin

-2013 Collin Hartman

This is definitely shaping up to be a loaded event. I could be wrong with a few of the out-of-state guys, as they may not make it, but they are listed on rosters of teams attending the event. There also may be a few guys there who I am not expecting, but be sure to look for full coverage of the event this weekend. I'll look out for any surprises, as this could be the start of "coming out parties" for any number of prospects.

Class of 2011 Midseason Indiana State Rankings

With the regular season coming to a close I wanted to rank the top 10 Junior players in the state of Indiana. Headed by consensus top 5 Marquis Teague, the 2011 Indiana class compares to the 2007 class in terms of depth, but arguably trumps it in terms of star power. The 2011 class contains 3 legitimate McDonald's All American candidates, but also boasts at least a dozen other division one level players.

(Just an editor's note: I wasn't able to get season averages for a lot of these guys so sorry in advance.)

1. Marquis Teague- 6'1 Guard- Pike High School (Considering Louisivlle, Kentucky, Indiana, Purdue, and Cincinnati)

The number 1 junior in the state is having a fantastic season for the 11-5 Red Devils. Showing off an improved jump shot, great court awareness, and off the charts athleticism, Teague has all the makings of a top flight college point guard. Defensively he is great pressuring the ball, but can be a little steal happy at times. Not set on a college announcement, Teague will make a college coach very happy when he pulls the trigger.

2. Michael Chandler 6'10 Center- Lawrence North High School (Louisville Verbal)

A fantastic center prospect, Chandler is oozing with upside in the true sense of the term. Chandler isn't just a big flop with hops, he is a prospect who is truly improving every day. Comparing the Chandler of 2008-09 vs. 2009-10 would show a completely different and more efficient player. On the defensive side of the ball his athletic ability makes him a dangerous shot blocker and altars many shots. If Chandler continues to improve, he has the chance to be a great big man for Rick Pitino.

3. Branden Dawson 6'6 Forward- Gary Wallace High School (Considering UCLA, Purdue, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgetown, Marquette, and many others)

An athletic forward with a high motor, Dawson excels at scoring around the rim by using his athleticism and effort. He has a great nose for the ball making him a great offensive rebounder and put back machine. Dawson's jump shot is improving, and if he can add reliable handles to his game he will be a dangerous small forward. Dawson is currently averaging 25.9 points and 15.2 rebounds per contest.

4. Cody Zeller 6'9 Power Forward- Washington High School (Considering Butler, Indiana, North Carolina, Florida, Notre Dame, Purdue, Ohio State)

A skilled 4 man with a great feel for the game, Zeller can score with his back to the basket or with the ball in his hands facing up. He has nice touch around the basket, but also has the skill to step out and hit the 3 pointer. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands, able to take slower big men off the dribble and score. He is currently averaging roughly 20 points and 11 rebounds for the 15-2 hatchets.

5. Ryan Taylor 6'6 Forward- Lawrence North High School (Louisville Verbal)

(Taylor, left defending)

Taylor is a combo forward with a high motor and off the charts athleticism. Taylor isn't the biggest or strongest guy, but his relentless effort and knack for grabbing loose balls make him a great rebounder and shot blocker. He needs to improve his shooting and ball skills to transition as a scorer in college, but he can be a contributor on the glass from the get go.

6. Jeremiah Davis 6'3 Guard- Muncie Central High School (Considering IU, Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue and others)

A smooth combo guard with a nice stroke, Davis won't wow you with his vertical leap or speed, but is a deceptive athlete. He doesn't do any one thing outstanding but does many things well. His perimeter shot can be a great weapon for him offensively, but also can be a bit streaky. On defense he plays the ball handler well but is often caught going for the steal. The key for Davis is too match talent with intensity on both sides of they ball.

7. Darwin "Dee" Davis 5'9 Guard- Bloomington South High School (Xavier Verbal)

Davis is an undersized point guard who is lightning quick with or without the ball. What he lacks in strength, he makes up for in speed and athleticism. Davis is a great finisher near the basket, and possesses acrobatic moves that allow him to convert tough baskets. He has a good first step and is able to take defenders off the dribble and run the half court offense. In the full court he is one man fast break, able to dish for an open bucket if necessary. His speed and quickness allow him to pressure the ball and defend the perimeter well, though he may struggle against bigger guards.

8. Matt Carlino 6'2 Guard- Bloomington South High School (Indiana Verbal)

A crafty guard with a good feel for the game, Carlino can score the ball himself or set up teammates. He has a good handle with the ball and can score the ball well near the rim. He isn't the quickest or fastest guard, but does a good job of attacking the defense and dishing the ball. Defensively he may struggle with speedy guards but his toughness and grit help him to defend ball handlers well.

9. Austin Etherington 6'6 Forward- Hamilton Heights High School (Indiana Verbal)

A skilled three man, Etherington is one of the better 3 point shooters in the state. A good but not great ball handler, Etherington has a good basketball IQ and is a good passer as well. He should excel in college playing with skilled teammates who can find him for open jumpers and create plays for him. He is currently averaging 22.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.6 steals a contest this season.

10. Mitch McGary 6'9 Forward- Chesterton High School (Purdue offer, considering others)

A post player with strong hands and a strong frame, McGary is a great rebounder near and away from the basket. He runs the floor well for a big man and his athleticism allows him to finish in the paint when on the break or in traffic. Defensively he is a good shot blocker at the high school level, but needs to improve his timing to excel in college. Grades are an issue for McGary, so a potential prep school or junior college destination isn't out of the question.

Jut outside: Jalen Packer, Nic Moore, Justin Gant

Marquis Teague's Dunk vs. Muncie Central

This video finally made it to YouTube, and I wanted to share it with anyone who hadn't seen it yet. He showed athleticism just as good as his older brother Jeff.

Marquis Teague scores 22 in Pike victory

Marquis Teague scored 22 points in a 64-48 victory over Muncie Central Saturday night. Teague had a strong 1st half, helping Pike start out with an 11-0 run. Teague had a hot night shooting the ball going 9-11 from the field, 2-4 from behind the arc, and 2-3 from the foul line. Teague also tallied 1 steal, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Pike Senior guard also chipped in 17 points for the Red Devils. Pike was too much for the visiting Bearcats, leading the entire game and appearing extremely cohesive as a unit.

Jeremiah Davis led the visiting Muncie Central Bearcats with 16 points, shooting 3-5 from the 3 point line and 1-2 from the foul line. Davis pulled down 7 rebounds and also dished out 3 assists. Muncie Central also got 16 points from Sophomore big man Nick Osborne. Muncie Central simply didn't have the fire power or chemistry to match a hot Pike team.

Scouting:

2011 Marquis Teague- Teague had an extremely hot night shooting the ball, and seems to have improved his stroke. A noted streaky shooter, the sky is the limit for Teague if he can consistently knock down the outside jumper. Teague also shot the mid-range jumper very well off the dribble, knocking down several challenged looks. Teague showed off-the-charts athleticism, blowing by a Muncie Central defender and dunking over 2 more for a true "poster" finish. Also, don't blame Teague for only having 2 assists, as he was looking to find teammates, and they missed open looks, or made the extra pass themselves. Teague also looked solid defensively, always staying in front of his man. Teague looked nearly flawless in this outing, and if he can shoot the ball like this consistently he will be an almost unstoppable lead guard.

2011 Jeremiah Davis- Davis had a good night shooting the ball, but I would like to see him be a more agressive shooter and scorer. Davis shied away from contested lay-ups, often forcing bad passes to his teammates, and causing turnovers. He possesses a great handle on the ball, and can get in the lane at will. If he were more assertive going to the rim, he has the frame to absorb contact and get opportunities at the foul line. Defensively he was solid, rarely letting his man past him, and making plays on the ball when possible. Watching Davis, you can tell he has a great shooting stroke and the biggest thing missing from his game is confidence.