This is a risky list, and will probably be a short one. At least by comparison to others. There is of course no guarantee when it comes to predicting a can't miss player. But there are players that just leap out at you, and those are the players I'll be covering here. This first one is for Bricky.
Nerlens Noel: Age 17, class of 2013. 6'11.5" in shoes, 215 pounds, 7'3" wingspan. Measurements from the Lebron James Skills Academy. Noel is an incredible shotblocker. Almost uncanny. Physically, in appearance he'll remind you of Bill Russell. He'll also remind you of Russell in results. This kid averaged over 10 blocked shots a game last year. He's a terrific athlete with great mobility and agility.
Its not often you find a kid with such terrific instincts and timing. He almost never leaves his feet until the opposing player has left his, and yet, he's explosive enough to still block just about any shot in the neighborhood. He'll front you and block your shot. He'll block you from behind when you think you have a clear lane. He'll block your jumper when you think your open near the perimiter.
He's such a presence under the basket, that he not only blocks, or changes a shot, he also causes players to double dribble, or walk with the ball. He is, without a doubt, the best defensive player in highschool, and would probably be the best defensive player in college, if he were in college.
Offensively, although he's still a work in progress, he's no slouch. He has a jump hook that he can shoot with either hand. He has a decent mid-range jumper, but it needs to become more consistent. He has very good hands and is excellent at running the floor and finishing at the basket. He's also a very good passer at this stage of his career. His ballhandling is average at best, and certainly needs work. He also needs to add strength and a little more weight. However, he's one of those players that you don't want to over do it and lose his explosiveness.
Barring injury, or an act of god, this kid has star written all over him. The sky's the limit if he stays on his current path. Here's a video of him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qggE9Xaw6n8&feature=related
Nerlens Noel: Age 17, class of 2013. 6'11.5" in shoes, 215 pounds, 7'3" wingspan. Measurements from the Lebron James Skills Academy. Noel is an incredible shotblocker. Almost uncanny. Physically, in appearance he'll remind you of Bill Russell. He'll also remind you of Russell in results. This kid averaged over 10 blocked shots a game last year. He's a terrific athlete with great mobility and agility.
Its not often you find a kid with such terrific instincts and timing. He almost never leaves his feet until the opposing player has left his, and yet, he's explosive enough to still block just about any shot in the neighborhood. He'll front you and block your shot. He'll block you from behind when you think you have a clear lane. He'll block your jumper when you think your open near the perimiter.
He's such a presence under the basket, that he not only blocks, or changes a shot, he also causes players to double dribble, or walk with the ball. He is, without a doubt, the best defensive player in highschool, and would probably be the best defensive player in college, if he were in college.
Offensively, although he's still a work in progress, he's no slouch. He has a jump hook that he can shoot with either hand. He has a decent mid-range jumper, but it needs to become more consistent. He has very good hands and is excellent at running the floor and finishing at the basket. He's also a very good passer at this stage of his career. His ballhandling is average at best, and certainly needs work. He also needs to add strength and a little more weight. However, he's one of those players that you don't want to over do it and lose his explosiveness.
Barring injury, or an act of god, this kid has star written all over him. The sky's the limit if he stays on his current path. Here's a video of him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qggE9Xaw6n8&feature=related
