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.

Q&A with Gary Harris at Adidas May Classic

I spoke with Gary Harris this past weekend at the Adidas May Classic. The 6'3 or 6'4 195 pound shooting guard (his words) updated me on the schools that are recruiting him, his chances of playing football in college, and much more. The interview is below.

Indy Hoops: How he would you describe your game?

Gary Harris: "I have a toughness to my game, I like to get to the basket, but when people back off I like to shoot my jump shot."

Hoops: How did your high school season go?

GH: "It was a good season. We only lost 4 games, and we thought we could have gone further, but I have no complaints."

Hoops: What are your goals for your high school team next year?

GH: "Just to keep improving and not take a step back from this year. We don't want to flame out as early."

Hoops: Who all has offered you scholarships so far?

GH: "I have ten offers so far. Illinois, Notre Dame, Xavier, IUPUI, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Indiana, Ohio State, Butler, and Vanderbilt."

Hoops: Are there any other schools that are recruiting you?

GH: "Washington and Michigan State have been calling a little bit."

Hoops: Do you think you will want to stay local with your college choice or does distance matter?

GH: "I'm not sure right now I'm just still trying to take it all in. I'm going to wait a while and then during my junior year I'll sit down with my parents and really think about where I want to go."

Hoops: Your Dad said that your Mom played at Purdue. Are you hearing from Purdue at all?

GH: "No I haven't talked to them in a while."

Hoops: I understand you also play football. Do you think you might want to play football in college?

GH: "I'm not sure, it just depends on how it all plays out when I decide my college."

Hoops: What are a few things you're really looking for when deciding a college?

GH: "The relationship I have with the coaching staff and how I fit into the program as a player."

Here's my scouting report on Gary Harris:
A skilled combo guard with explosive athleticism, Harris is rapidly improving his game. Harris only averaged 14 points per game this season, but his potential is undeniable. He has the bounce, quickness, and athleticism to take opponents off the dribble and score above the rim. Combine that with an improving jump shot and a high level motor, and Harris has the total package needed to be a backcourt star.

Adidas May Classic 17U Saturday Recap

Today I attended the Adidas May Classic in Bloomington where I saw games played at Assembly Hall, Cook Hall, and Twin Sportsplex. Over the course of a 10-hour period I watched team after team sand saw at least 2 dozen division one prospects. I saw games in the 17, 16, and 15U divisions. Below is my Saturday 17U recap.

17U:

Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell Indiana Elite Team Indiana 5'10 PG- Ferrell looked great today, running the team and knocking down jump shots. Ferrell is on a loaded AAU team, so his scoring role isn't as big as it is during the high school season. Ferrell ran the break, played good full-court defense, and found open teammates, things all great point guards should do. You can really tell his jump shot is improving as he progresses throughout his career.

Cody Zeller Indiana Elite Team Indiana 6'11 PF/C- Zeller had a typical productive day at the office this afternoon. He ran the floor well, receiving good passes from Ferrell and Jeremiah Davis, which led to easy baskets. He showed good touch around the rim, scoring out of the post and while facing the basket. Cody also rebounded the ball very well, pulling down boards with toughness.

Jeremiah Davis Indiana Elite Team Indiana 6'3 PG/SG- Davis was pretty quiet scoring-wise when I saw him, but along with Kevin Ferrell he ran his team quite well. You can tell Davis is starting to improve as a passer, making smarter plays with the ball and not forcing any action. Davis did have a nice breakaway dunk, showing off above-average athleticism to make the play. As usual, he played good defense and didn't give his man any easy opportunities.

Mitch McGary SYF Players 6'9 PF/C- With Branden Dawson playing elsewhere this weekend, McGary had an increased role for his SYF team. In his first game of the day McGary did a good job scoring around the basket and roaming the paint. McGary perhaps had the "ooh" moment of the day when he grabbed a defensive rebound, took the ball down the floor past several defenders, and threw down a one handed slam from the volleyball line. In his second game McGary showed off excellent shooting touch, knocking down four 3-pointers and several mid-range jumpers. He scored 23 points in that game, while pulling down 11 rebounds.

Travis Trice SYF Players 5'11 PG- Trice impressed me last weekend at Franklin, and cemented himself to me as a quick lead guard with the shooting touch and athleticism to score all over the court. He will need to add strength to his frame, but Trice is proving to be a realiable scorer, defender, and passer game in and game out. In the two games I saw today he hit seven 3-pointers and did a great job drawing fouls in the lane. Trice has the quickness and ball-handling to break down defenses, finding the open man for a shot or scoring at the rim. He had games of 17 and 15 today.

Slight Editors Note- D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera played both 17U and 16U for Indiana Elite. I will put him in my 16U recap.

Q&A with Branden Dawson AAU State Finals

I sat down with Branden Dawson after his first game on Saturday and we talked about a variety of things. Including his high school season, next season's goals, and his recruitment. Branden had 19 points and 9 rebounds in his first game Saturday, and 18 points in his second game. He blocked shots, grabbed rebounds on both ends of the floor, got to the line where he converted, and even knocked down some perimeter shots. He was definitely the most impressive player at the tournament Saturday, absolutely dominating his opponents.

Indy Hoops: Can you describe yourself to me as a player? What are your strengths, and what are some things you'd like to improve on?

Branden Dawson: "My strengths are rebounding, my aggressiveness, and scoring ability. I think I need to work on my ball-handling, my (basketball) IQ, my shooting and mid-range game."

Hoops: I know you're a versatile player, what do coaches tell you they want you to play?

BD: "Coaches say they want me to play the 3. They like my athleticism, and just want me to play."

Hoops: Could you talk about your high school season a little bit?

BD: "Oh yeah, we had a great season. It was our first time making it to the championship game. We came up a little short, but it was a great experience for our guys making it there."

Hoops: And is that a goal to make it back there next season?

Dawson: "Oh yes, that's definitely a goal, that and winning Mr. Basketball."

Hoops: As far as college goes, which schools are you considering?

Dawson: "Indiana, Purdue, UCLA, Marquette, Georgetown, and Michigan State. They are really good schools."

Hoops: Which schools do you like the most out of those?

Dawson: "Well I like them all a lot, there's not one specifically I like."

Hoops: Tell me something you really like about Purdue, Michigan State, and Indiana?

Dawson: "With Purdue you've got greating coaching and great players. I grew up playing with Robbie Hummel and E'Twaun Moore." "With Michigan State you know they have a good team, a great atmosphere, and an all-around good ball club." "Indiana you know they have a good atmosphere and they're a home state school."

Hoops: Do you have a deadline or are you still waiting? And would you prefer to sign in the fall or spring of your senior year?

Dawson: "I'm not setting a deadline, just waiting. I do want to sign in the spring of my senior year."

Hoops: What are some other tournaments your team is playing in this summer?

Dawson: "We'll be playing in the May Classic next weekend in Bloomington. We'll also be at AAU nationals in Florida."

Here's a quick rundown on Dawson's game:
When you think of Branden Dawson the first thing that comes to mind is his high-level motor. Dawson simply goes full speed on every play, making him a dangerous rebounder and defender. Dawson's ideal college position is small forward, but rebounds like a big man, using his long wingspan and high level athleticism to pull down boards. Another great trait about Dawson is his passing. At times he runs the inbounds plays for his team, and is a great passer out of the post. Offensively Dawson is a good ball-handler, but needs to have consistent outside shooting. His best scoring is done in the paint moving off cuts or attacking the rim. His back to the basket game is not great, but he shows flashes and good touch in the post. Dawson is an adequate free-throw shooter, but could stand to work on his free-throws along with his jumper. Defensively Dawson can guard 3 positions. He has the strength and length to handle bigger opponents in the paint, and the quickness and length to disrupt opponents on the wing. As Dawson improves his perimeter skills he will continue to improve as a player.

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 Jeremiah Davis

Name: Jeremiah Davis
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'3 195
High School/AAU: Muncie Central/Indiana Elite
Position: Point Guard & Shooting Guard Combo
2009-2010 Season Stats: 17 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg
Schools Considering: Michigan State, IU, Cincinnati, Xavier, Ohio State, Tennessee, UNLV, Dayton, Miami-FL, and DePaul
Timetable for Decision: Davis is rumored to be deciding soon, but no announcement has been set.

Scouting Report:
As a junior in high school, Davis is already built like a college player. He handles the ball well, and his strong frame allows him to absorb contact and finish plays after fouls. Davis can also use his ball-handling ability to break down defenses and find the open teammate. Davis has good range on his jump shot, but his shot selection is questionable at times. When hot he can light you up from deep, but the key for Davis is to play within himself, and not force shots. Defensively Davis has the quickness, strength, and smarts to be a good defender. As long as he isn't too steal happy can really lock down opponents. Overall, Davis has the tools to be a contributor as a freshman, as long as he plays smart.

Player Profile: 2011 Branden Dawson

Name: Branden Dawson
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'6 205
High School/AAU: Gary Lew Wallace/SYF
Position: Small Forward
2009-2010 Season Stats: 24 ppg 14 rpg
Schools Considering: Georgetown, UCLA, IU, Purdue, Marquette, Michigan St.
Timetable for Decision: Dawson has said he will decide in the Spring of his senior year of high school.

Scouting Report:
When you think of Branden Dawson the first thing that comes to mind is his high-level motor. Dawson simply goes full speed on every play, making him a dangerous rebounder and defender. Dawson's ideal college position is small forward, but rebounds like a big man, using his long wingspan and high level athleticism to pull down boards. Another great trait about Dawson is his passing. At times he runs the inbounds plays for his team, and is a great passer out of the post. Offensively Dawson is a good ball-handler, but lacks a consistent outside shot which at times makes him one-dimensional. His best scoring is done on in the paint moving off cuts or attacking the rim. His back to the basket game is not great, but he shows flashes and good touch in the post. Dawson is an adequate free-throw shooter, but could stand to work on his free-throws along with his jumper. Defensively Dawson can guard 3 positions. He has the strength and length to handle bigger opponents in the paint, and the quickness and length to disrupt opponents on the wing. As Dawson improves his perimeter skills he will continue to improve as a player.

IndyBall.com Shootout 17U Saturday Recap

In what was a loaded day of AAU action, I got the chance to see 17U, 16U, and 15U action today. The majority of my day was spent watching the Indiana Elite teams. I also saw a few Spiece teams play today. Tomorrow I will get the chance to see the Eric Gordon All-Stars play. Several players were attending the Adidas Nation event and will be reuniting with their teams in the future.

Indiana Elite 17U

2011 Guard Matt Carlino- Carlino had an up and down day today, showing off great range on his jump shot but also committing small mental mistakes and turnovers. Carlino hit four 3-pointers in the first half of a game, and also showed the ability to slash and finish at the rim with the ball in his hands. Unfortunately Carlino also showed the tendency to get a bit too flashy, trying to throw passes behind his back and between his legs, leading to turnovers. Matt displayed nice athleticism, throwing down a one handed dunk in the lane, and hitting another off the back of the rim. The key for Carlino is to play within the game and not force any flashy passes or plays.

2011 Forward/Center Cody Zeller- Zeller had a game that mirrored his high school season. He made fluid and smart moves in the post, showing nice touch but struggled at times to finish through fouls. His active hands allowed him to get several tip ins and pull down challenged rebounds on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Zeller is one of the best free-throw shooting big men I can recall in recent history, shooting 6-7 from the charity stripe in his first game. If Zeller is struggling with his jump shot, the key for him is to get the ball in the post and score. All in all he had a good showing today, and I will be intrigued to see how he does this summer.

2011 Guard Jeremiah Davis- Davis did not have the best showing today, as he struggled to find his jumper. Davis does a nice job of breaking down his man off the dribble, but at times can hold onto the ball too long. He does a good job at getting into the lane, and if he concentrates on attacking the basket and finding his teammates instead of falling in love with the jump shot, he should be fine.

2011 Forward Austin Etherington- Etherington showed a little bit of everything today, playing well on both sides of the ball. In the first half of the morning game he struggled with his jumper but passed the ball well and took his man off the dribble for an impressive 2-hand dunk. In the second half he found his range, knocking down two 3-pointers. In his second game of the day he hit several mid-range jumpers and 3-pointers.

2011 Forward Vinny Zollo- This former Kentucky commitment impressed me in his first game. He was the most active player on the floor, pulling down 9 rebounds and using offensive rebounds to score second chance points. Zollo ran the floor very well and was the recipient of some good passes into the paint. He also buried a mid-range jumper and a 3-pointe. The one weakness to his game was that he struggled to finish some plays after contact, but still maintained aggressiveness. Zollo is a player I will be continually watching as the summer rolls on.

2011 Center Cheir Ajou- Ajou is a project in the true sense of the word, but is making strides as a player. A legitimate 7 footer, Ajou blocked multiple shots each game, and pulled down most rebounds in his vicinity. He hit a nice 15-16 foot jumper and a hook shot in his first game. When he got to the line Ajou knocked down both free throws, showing a nice stroke for a big man. Ajou needs to time his jumps a little better when rebounding and blocking, but certainly has the potential to be a difference maker on both ends of the floor.

Thomas Tops Senior Class Midseason State Rankings

After watching as much basketball as possible this season, these are my midseason rankings for the current senior class. I plan on updating these rankings again after the season is over. Also I will be ranking the 2011, and 2012 classes at later dates.

(Keep in mind that I evaluate these rankings on performance, but I also take into account college "potential" to a degree.)

1. Deshaun Thomas 6'7 Forward- Ft. Wayne Bishop Luers (Ohio St. Signee)

Deshaun Thomas has been nearly unstoppable this season, averaging close to 34 points and over 16 rebounds per game in his senior season. It is because of these efforts that he tops the Midseason 2010 class rankings in the state. Thomas has scored the ball at will this season, lighting it up from all over the floor. When teams give him the perimeter he will knock down the jumper, but when given an opportunity down low he will overpower opponents. With a deep run in the state tournament, Thomas has a real chance to break Damon Bailey's all time state scoring record.

2. Terone Johnson 6'3 Guard- North Central High School (Purdue Signee)

Johnson has been outstanding this season leading his #2 4A team to a 16-2 record. He is averaging close to 22 points per game, scoring aggressively and shooting the ball very well.

3. Travis Carroll 6'9 Center- Danville High School (Purdue Signee)

Carroll has looked great this season averaging close to 19 points and 13 rebounds a game for the #1 (17-0) 3A team in the state. Carroll has dominated his competition, scoring at will using his size and bulk down low to score high percentage shots. He is also averaging 81% from the free throw line, converting at a great great for a big man.

4. Russell Byrd 6'7 Forward- Blackhawk Christian High School (Michigan State Signee)

Byrd is averaging 23.5 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game while leading his team to a 10-7 record. Byrd has really filled it up this season, netting games of 26 and 25 recently.

5. Donnie Hale 6'8 Forward- New Albany High School (Purdue Signee)

Averaging close to 19 points a game, Hale has been impressive fighting through double teams and getting teams' best look each night. Hale is also averaging 7.9 rebounds per contest, leading his team to a 14-2 record, thus far.

6. Jesse Berry 6'1 Guard- Lafayette Jefferson High School (Dayton Signee)

Berry is averaging 23.5 points per contest while leading his Lafayette Jeff team to a 14-5 record so far this season.

7. Jake Kitchell 6'9 Forward- South Central High School (Indiana St. Signee)

Kitchell is averaging 22.5 points and an outstanding 17.1 rebounds per game thus far. He is also averaging 3.4 blocks per game.

8. Jordan Manuel 6'8 Forward- T.C. Howe High School (Detroit Signee)

Manuel is currently averaging 17.2 points and 3.7 blocks per game for the 14-4 Howe Hornets.

9. Chrishawn Hopkins 6'2 Guard- Manual High School (Butler Signee)

Hopkins is one of the top scorers in Indianapolis, averaging over 25 points per game for Emmerich Manual High School. The high flying guard has been impressive this year, recording 26 points and 14 rebounds against star junior Marquis Teague and Pike High School last week.

10. Erik Fromm 6'8 Forward- Bloomington South High School (Butler Signee)

Fromm is averaging over 15 points and 8 rebounds a game for the class 4A #1 panthers. Fromm has had an impressive season, highlighted by his 26 point & 15 rebound performance against Pike last month.