Previewing the Final 2007 Recruiting Class Rankings

Indiana edges Florida and Syracuse for top spot with USC and Arizona right behind

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June 3, 2007

By Van Coleman

CSTV & Hoopmasters.com



 Van Coleman

Van is one of the nation's premier recruiting experts.
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We normally would have the spring rankings finalized at this point, but with two major late signings by Patrick Patterson and Jai Lucas along with an abnormally high amount of players released from their letters of intent (due to coaching changes) and heading elsewhere, we've waited until now to put together our first cut look at 2007's Recruiting Class Rankings.

 

Just this past week, Billy Donovan's move from Florida to the NBA put another crimp in the rankings.  It looks as if most of the recruits will stay put if the new hire is either former Gator assistant and VCU head coach Anthony Grant or current Florida assistant Larry Shyatt. As it stands right now with the players presumably honoring their commitments until we hear otherwise, Florida is one of our top classes in the country.

 

With that in mind and our final rankings coming soon, here's how our 2007 Recruiting Class Rankings currently look with highlights of the nation's Top 30:

 

SPRING 2007 FIRST LOOK - TOP 30 RECRUITING CLASSES

 

1.  Indiana (6) Signees:  Eric Gordon 6-foot-3 SG Indianapolis, IN North Central;  Jamarcus Ellis 6-foot-5 SG Chipola CC, FL;  Brandon McGee 6-foot-8 PF Chicago, IL Crane;  Eli Holman 6-foot-10 C Richmond, CA;  Jordan Crawford 6-foot-5 WF Chatham, VA Hargrave Military;  DeAndre Thomas 6-foot-8 PF Chipola CC, FL. 

 

Kelvin Sampson's first full class has Hoosier fans buzzing.  Gordon will put up big numbers, while Ellis, Thomas, Crawford & McGee make for a bright future in Bloomington.  If Eshaunte Jones was part of the Class of 2007 as originally thought (says he's going to Hargrave Military Academy for a prep year before heading to IU), then the Hoosiers would have been a winner by a large margin.  As it stands they just nip Florida and Syracuse for the top spot.

 

2.  Florida (4) Signees:  Nick Calathes 6-foot-4 SG Winter Park, FL Lake Howell;  Alex Tyus 6-foot-7 Cincinnati, OH Harmony Community;  Chandler Parsons 6-foot-8 WF Winter Park, FL Lake Howell;  Adam Allen 6-foot-6 WF Milton, FL; Jai Lucas 5-foot-10 PG Bellaire, TX. 

 

The Gators signed a nucleus that could lead them to future final fours.  Nick Calathes has tools to become big time scorer in SEC, Parsons could become another Mike Dunleavy and Lucas takes pressure off Calathes to be primary ball handler.  Big question now is will they all stay put once new coach is announced.

 

3. Syracuse (6) Signees:  Donte Greene 6-foot-8 PF Towson, MD Catholic;  Rick Jackson 6-foot-9 PF Philadelphia, PA St. John Neumann;  Antonio Jardine 6-foot-2 SG Philadelphia, PA St. John Neumann;  Jonny Flynn 6-foot-0 PG, Niagara Falls, NY;  Sean Williams 6-foot-10 C Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame Prep, CA; Kristof Ongenaet 6-foot-9 PF Cuesta CC, CA. 

 

This group slipped a little this spring as the duo above them signed some impact additions, but Greene, Jardine and Flynn have all got big-time futures in the Big East.  Jackson and Ongenaet will be a solid duo inside.  Look for this group to re-kindle excitement in the Carrier Dome!

 

4.  USC (6) Signees:  O.J. Mayo 6-foot-5 PG Huntington, WV;  Davon Jefferson 6-foot-7 WF Lenoir, NC Patterson School;  Marcus Simmons 6-foot-5 SG Alexandria, LA Peabody;  Mamadou Diarra 6-foot-11 C Simi Valley, CA Stoneridge Prep;  Angelo Johnson 5-foot-10 PG Simi Valley, CA Stoneridge Prep. 

 

Tim Floyd's Trojans add one of America's best in Mayo - he will be an impact talent next year in LA.  Jefferson, Diarra, & Johnson will be the nucleus to future Pac-10 & NCAA success for the Men of Troy. USC was number one until 6-foot-7 Leonard Washington had to re-classify and head to prep school next year.

 

5.  Arizona (5) Signees:  Jerryd Bayless 6-foot-3 SG Phoenix, AZ St. Mary's;  Jamelle Horne 6-foot-7 WF San Diego, CA Hoover;  Alex Jacobson 7-foot-1 C Santa Ana, CA Mater Dei;  Zane Johnson 6-foot-7 WF Phoenix, AZ Thunderbird; Laval Lucas-Perry 6-foot-3 PG Flint, MI Powers.

 

Jerryd Bayless will add immediate perimeter firepower, while Lucas-Perry adds back court depth.  Point-forward Horne is a versatile scorer who will give the Cats instant offense off the dribble.  This class starts the re-building of a title contender in Tucson!

 

6. Duke (3) Signees:  Kyle Singler 6-foot-9 WF Medford, OR South Medford;  Taylor King 6-foot-7 WF Santa Ana, CA Mater Dei;  Nolan Smith 6-foot-3 SG Mouth of Wilson, VA Oak Hill. 

 

Blue Devils solidified a top ten spot last fall with the addition of Kyle "Larry Legend" Singler.  He will be another in the great line of Duke front court talents.  Top thirty talents Smith and King will challenge for major PT as freshmen.  Beat goes on in Durham! 

 

7.  Ohio State (5) Signees:  Kosta Koufos 7-foot-1 C Canton, OH Glen Oak;  Dallas Lauderdale 6-foot-9 C Solon, OH;  Evan Turner 6-foot-6 WF Westchester, IL St. Joseph;  Jon Diebler 6-foot-6 WF Upper Sandusky, OH;  Eric Wallace 6-foot-6 Chatham, VA Hargrave Military. 

 

Koufos is a more than adequate replacement for Greg Oden while the perimeter trio of Turner, Diebler, and Wallace add depth.  Another solid class to keep Thad Matta's squad at the top of the Big Ten!

 

8.  Oklahoma State (7) Signees:  Ibrahima Thomas 7-foot-0 PF Simi Valley, CA Stoneridge Prep;  James Anderson 6-foot-6 WF Junction City, AR;  Martavious Adams; 6-foot-9 C Irwinton, GA Wilkinson County, Nick Sidorakis 6-foot-6 Jenks, OK; Anthony Brown 6-foot-8 PF Carl Albert CC, OK;  Brad Garrett 6-foot-5 CC of Southern Idaho; Marshall Moses 6-foot-6 CF Lenoir, NC Patterson School. 

 

The Cowboys needed to re-stock the talent coffers in Stillwater, and this class goes a long way to doing just that.  Anderson is a stud on the wing and Garrett will add instant firepower from the perimeter.  Brown and Adams will give them bulk inside to compete with the best in the Big 12.

 

9.  DePaul (5) Signees:  Mac Koshwal 6-foot-9 C Chicago, IL Boys to Men;  Majita Poscic 6-foot-9 PF Highland CC, IL;  Darquavis Tucker 6-foot-5 WF Saginaw, MI Arthur Hill; Mike Bizoukas 6-foot-1 PG Munster, IN; Mario Stula 6-foot-7 WF Decatur, IL Christian .

 

Blue Demons get a couple horses inside in Koshwal and Poscic, plus immediate help on the perimeter in Tucker and Stula.  Looks like Jerry Wainwright's squad is set to compete for a top spot in the Big East.

 

10.  Purdue (6) Signees:  E'twaun Moore 6-foot-3 PG East Chicago, IL Central;  Scott Martin 6-foot-8 WF Valparaiso, IN;  Robbie Hummel 6-foot-8 WF Valparaiso, IN;  JaJuan Johnson 6-foot-10 C Indianapolis, IN Franklin Central;  Greg Hill 6-foot-2 SG North Bridgton, ME Bridgton Academy;  Chris Reid 6-foot-9 C Butte CC, CA. 

 

Boilermakers make a statement that they are back with this class.  Moore, Martin, Hummel, Johnson, and Reid form a strong nucleus to put Matt Painter's club in contention in the Big 10.

 

11. Memphis (4) Signees:  Derrick Rose 6-foot-3 PG Chicago, IL Simeon;  Jeff Robinson 6-foot-6 WF Elizabeth, NJ St. Patrick's;  Marcus Morris 6-foot-9 WF Philadelphia, PA Prep Charter; Markieff Morris 6-foot-9 PF Philadelphia, PA Prep Charter

 

Tigers may have added the last piece to the puzzle to a NCAA final four run in point guard super Derrick Rose.  Perimeter trio of Morris twins and Jeff Robison add depth to an already deep squad.

 

12. Nebraska (9) Signees:  Steve Harley 5-foot-11 SG South Plains CC, TX;  Shang Ping 6-foot-9 PF Illinois Central CC, IL;  Alex Chapman 6-foot-10 PF Sheridan CC, WY;  Alonzo Edwards 6-foot-8 PF Houston, TX Klein Forest;  Cookie Miller 5-foot-9 Cincinnati, OH Harmony Community;  Brandon Richardson 6-foot-0 Hawthorne, CA;  Ade Dagunduro 6-foot-5 WF Antelope Valley CC, CA;  Tony McCray 6-foot-6 WF Fort Bend, TX Elkins. 

 

The Cornhuskers have gone out and added lots of immediate help in JUCOs Harley, Ping, Chapman, and Dagunduro, but freshmen Edwards, Miller and Richardson are the reasons this class is among the top dozen here.  This class could have rated among top ten if 6-foot-4 JUCO super Rishawn Norwood hadn't opted to turn professional this spring.

 

13.  Kansas State (6) Signees:  Michael Beasley 6-foot-8 PF Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame;  Dominique Sutton 6-foot-5 WF Lenoir, NC Patterson School;  Jacob Pullen 6-foot-0 PG Maywood, IL Proviso East;  Fred Brown 6-foot-2 PG West Palm Beach, FL Dwyer; Jamar Samuels 6-foot-8 PF Lenoir, NC Patterson School;  Andre Gilbert 6-foot-7 CF Mt. San Jacinto CC, CA.  

 

This class has had a number of in and out players.  No Doubt if Beasley stays in Manhattan that the Wildcats will have the best young forward tandem in the Big 12 with he and Bill Walker.  Lots of depth here and it's needed.  Wildcats could move up a couple notches and challenge for a top ten spot if 6-foot-7 JUCO commitment Victor Dubovitsky can qualify.

 

14. LSU (5) Signees:  Anthony Randolph 6-foot-10 WF Dallas, TX Woodrow Wilson;  Garrett Green 6-foot-9 PF Woodland Hills, CA Taft;  Quinton Thornton 6-foot-9 C Odessa CC, TX;  Marcus Thornton 6-foot-5 SG Kilgore CC, TX;  Bo Spencer 6-foot-1 PG Baton Rouge, LA Glen Oaks.

 

Frontcourt trio of Randolph, Green, and Thornton have some big shoes to fill.  Randolph has big-time potential, Thornton will add perimeter firepower and Spencer gives them depth at the point. The Tigers could be ready to roar once the youngsters mature.

 

15. St. John's (7) Signees:  Malik Boothe 5-foot-8 PG Middle Village, NY Christ the King;  Justin Burrell 6-foot-8 PF North Bridgton, ME Bridgton Academy;  Ayodele Coker 6-foot-10 C South Kent, CT School;  D.J. Kennedy 6-foot-6 WF Pittsburgh, PA Schenley;  Paris Horne 6-foot-3 CG North Bridgton, ME Bridgton Academy;  Sean Evans 6-foot-7 PF Philadelphia, PA Northeast;  Mike Cavataio 6-foot-4 SG Fresh Meadows, NY St. Francis.

 

Red Storm added tons of depth, but the real key will be the inside development of Burrell and Coker who both ooze potential. Add them along with quick point guard Boothe and wingman Kennedy and they form a solid nucleus to build future success around.

 

16. Oklahoma (5) Signees:  Blake Griffin 6-foot-8 PF Edmund, OK Oklahoma Christian;  Tony Neysmith 6-foot-5 SG Norcross, GA;  Chris Early 6-foot-7 WF Huntington, WV;  Cade Davis 6-foot-5 WF Elk City, OK;  Omar Leary 5-foot-11 CG Northeastern CC, CO. 

 

Griffin and Leary will both have an immediate impact next fall in Norman.  The wing trio adds depth and outside shooting off the bench.  Griffin is a stud who will keep the Sooners in Big 12 hunt!

 

17. Cincinnati (6) Signees:  Anthony McClain 7-foot-0 C Fort Washington, MD National Christian:  Jason Henry 6-foot-6 WF Cincinnati, OH Harmony Community;  Alvin Mitchell 6-foot-5 SG Ft. Lauderdale, FL Cardinal Gibbons;  Larry Davis 6-foot-3 CG Alief, TX Hastings;  Rashad Bishop 6-foot-5 WF Newark, NJ St. Benedict's;  Kenny Belton 6-foot-8 PF Greensboro, NC Dudley. 

 

Bearcats flex their recruiting muscle this spring to crack top twenty here.  McClain and Belton are much needed size inside, while the perimeter trio of Henry, Mitchell, and Davis add some firepower to open up the inside game.   The Bearcats are ready to start to climb back up the ladder in the Big East.

 

18. Michigan State (3) Signees:  Durrell Summers 6-foot-4 SG Redford, MI Covenant Christian;  Chris Allen 6-foot-4 SG Lawrenceville, GA Meadowcreek;  Kalin Lucas 6-foot-1 PG Orchard Lake, MI St. Mary's.

 

Spartans sign quality backcourt trio in Allen, Summers, and Lucas that re-stocks a need for Tom Izzo's squad.  All three will compete for major PT as freshmen. Look for the Spartans to continue to compete for a Big Ten crown.

 

19. Texas Tech (4) Signees:  Ricardo De Bem, 6-foot-10 C Western Nebraska CC, NE;  John Roberson 5-foot-11 PG Plano, TX;  D'walyn Roberts 6-foot-8 PF Duncanville, TX;  Mike Singletary 6-foot-5 WF Kingwood, TX;  A.J. Hardeman 6-foot-7 WF El Paso, TX Del Valle;  Darryl Ashford 6-foot-3 SG New Hampton, NH Prep. 

 

De Bem gives the Red Raiders immediate help inside while Roberts could become a star in the future.  Roberson and Singletary will add depth in the backcourt to help keep Bob Knight's club in the hunt for a high finish in the Big 12.

 

20. Pittsburgh (5) Signees:  Cassin Diggs 6-foot-10 C Cloud County CC, KS;  DeJuan Blair 6-foot-8 PF Pittsburgh, PA Schenley;  Bradley Wanamaker 6-foot-3 SG Philadelphia, PA Roman Catholic;  Gary McGhee 6-foot-9 C Anderson, IN Highland;  Darnell Dodson, 6-foot-7 WF Greenbelt, MD Eleanor Roosevelt. 

 

Panthers re-stock inside game with the addition of Diggs, Blair and McGhee, while wing shooter Wanamaker fills a real need for Jamie Dixon's squad.

 

21. New Mexico State (7) Signees:  Herb Pope 6-foot-9 PF Aliquippa, PA;  Jahmar Young 6-foot-5 WF Laurinburg, NC Institute;  DeAngelo Jones 6-foot-4 SG Seattle, WA Rainier Beach;  Aaron Castillo 6-foot-4 SG Las Cruces, NM;  Paris Carter 6-foot-5 Cecil CC, MD;  Aaron Castillo 6-foot-4 WF Las Cruces, NM;  Jay Dee Luster 5-foot-9 PG San Diego, CA Hoover. 

 

The Aggies get an impact talent in Herb Pope and immediate help from Carter and Luster.  Look for this trio to keep NMSU in the hunt for a NCAA tournament berth!

 

22. Georgetown (4) Signees:  Austin Freeman 6-foot-5 SG Hyattsville, MD DeMatha;  Chris Wright 6-foot-0 PG Washington, DC St. John's;  Omar Wattad 6-foot-6 WF Johnson City, TN Science Hill;  Nikita Mescharakov 6-foot-7 PF Frederick, MD St. John Prospect Hall. 

 

Hoyas add two impact talents to their backcourt in Freeman and Wright.  Look for this duo to help keep the Hoyas in the hunt for a Big East crown now that Hibbert is returning to the DC Campus.

 

23. Bradley (4) Signees:  Anthony Thompson 6-foot-10 C Houston, TX Klein Forest;  Sam Maniscalco 6-foot-1 PG Chicago, IL St. Patrick's;  Will Egoff 6-foot-9 C Juneau, AK Douglas;  David Collins 7-foot-0 C Missouri State-West Plains CC, MO;  Tyrone Cole-Scott 6-foot-0 CG Tyler CC, TX;  Rashad Austin 6-foot-7 PF Northeastern CC, CO;  Theron Wilson 6-foot-5 SG Seward County CC, KS. 

 

The Braves finished with a flurry of quality JUCOs in Collins, Cole-Scott, and Austin to go with early signee Thompson, putting them in the hunt for the Mo Valley crown.

 

24. N.C. State (4) Signees:  James Hickson 6-foot-9 PF Marietta, GA Wheeler;  Tracy Smith 6-foot-7 PF Durham, NC Mount Zion;  Johnny Thomas 6-foot-5 WF Greensboro, NC Day School;  Javi Gonzalez 6-foot-0 PG Miami, FL Dr. Krop. 

 

The Wolfpack add a monster inside in Hickson, who will be an All-ACC player before he leaves Raleigh.  Tracy Smith will add instant offense.  The `Pack is starting to Howl, and the rest of the ACC better take notice!

 

25. Arizona State (5) Signees:  James Harden 6-foot-4 SG Lakewood, CA Artesia;  Jamelle McMillan 6-foot-3 PG Seattle, WA O'Dea;  Kraidon Woods 6-foot-9 PF Swiftwater, PA Hill School;  Richards Kuksiks 6-foot-6 WF Melbourne, FL Florida Air;  Ty Abbott 6-foot-3 SG Phoenix, AZ Desert Vista.

 

The Sun Devils add one of the west's best in Harden, who will make an immediate impact in Tempe.  McMillan will be solid at the point as a freshman while Woods will add depth.  Look for this trio to see major PT next winter.

 

26. Massachusetts (8) Signees:  Papa Lo 6-foot-10 C Winchendon, MA School;  Matt Hill 6-foot-8 PF Tilton, NH School;  Matt Glass 6-foot-6 SG Northfield, MA Mount Hermon;  Trevon Wilcher 6-foot-8 PF Lee, ME Academy;  Max Groebe 6-foot-5 SG Miami, FL Dr. Krop;  Marcus Mathews 6-foot-1 SG Brooklyn, NY Bishop Loughlin;  Gary Correia 6-foot-2 CG Northfield, MA Mount Hermon;  Trey Lang 6-foot-7 Marietta, GA Wheeler. 

 

Late additions Correia and Lang to go with Groebe and Lo give the Minutemen a nucleus for a future Atlantic Ten title run.

 

27. Villanova (3) Signees:  Corey Fisher 6-foot-1 PG Elizabeth, NJ St. Patrick;  Corey Stokes 6-foot-5 SG Newark, NJ St. Benedict's;  Malcolm Grant 6-foot-1 PG Winchendon, MA School. 

 

Fisher is the prototype guard for the Wildcats' system and Stokes is one of the best shooters in the country.  Add Grant for depth and this group will help put Villanova in the hunt for a Big East title.

 

28. Kentucky (4) Signees:  Mike Williams 7-foot-0 C Alexandria, VA Bishop Ireton;  Patrick Patterson 6-foot-9 PF Huntington, WV; Alex Legion 6-foot-6 WF Mouth of Wilson, VA Oak Hill;  A.J. Stewart 6-foot-9 PF Jacksonville, FL Arlington Country Day.

 

Late additions Legion and Patterson are impact freshmen, no doubt about that.  They lifted the Wildcats into the top thirty.  Look for Billy Gillespie to add at least one more.

 

29. Florida State (4) Signees:  Solomon Alabi 7-foot-1 C Montverde, FL Academy;  Julian Vaughn 6-foot-10 PF Mouth of Wilson, VA Oak Hill Academy;  Jordan DeMercy 6-foot-7 WF Norcross, GA;  Chris Blake 6-foot-4 SG Mobile, AL Leflore. 

 

Inside duo of Alabi and Vaughn give the Seminoles an inside game to continue to climb the ladder in the always tough ACC.

 

T-30. Iowa State (5) Signees:  Craig Brackins 6-foot-9 PF Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy;  Lucca Staiger 6-foot-5 SG Decatur, IL Christian:  Diante Garrett 6-foot-3 PG Milwaukee, WI Vincent;  Charles Boozer 6-foot-5 SG Simi Valley, CA Stoneridge Prep;  Marcus Brister 6-foot-3 CG Dallas, TX God's Academy.  

 

Brackins solves the question of who will score inside for the Cyclones next fall, while Staiger, Boozer, Brister and Garrett re-stock the backcourt for Greg McDermott's club. The first step toward a Big 12 run comes with this class.

 

T-30. Texas (4) Signees:  Gary Johnson 6-foot-7 PF Houston, TX Aldine;  Clint Chapman 6-foot-10 Camby, OR;  Alexis Wangmene 6-foot-8 PF Blairstown, NJ Blair Academy; Dogus Balbay 6-foot-2 PG Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy. 

 

Late signee Balbay helps to sure up the point guard spot, while early signees Johnson and Chapman will add immediate depth to the Longhorns' inside game.

 

Near Misses / Potential Top 30s: 

 

Virginia Tech (5) signees (Note: The Hokies did rate among the top twenty-five until Augustus Gilchrist had to head to prep school.)

UNLV (5)

Illinois (5)

Mississippi (6)

SMU (7)

VCU (4)

Georgia Tech (3)

Alabama (3)

South Carolina (6)

Seton Hall (5)

UAB (5)

Ball State (8)

UTEP (5)

Texas A&M (5)

Washington (4)

Maryland (5)

Southern Miss (6)

Boston College (5)

Gonzaga (4)

College of Charleston (6)

Wichita State (5)

New Orleans (6)

Middle Tennessee State (6)

Creighton (4)

 

Before we finalize our rankings later this month, we will be evaluating the above schools' filling of team needs, as well as additional bonus points for players with the potential to make an impact as freshmen or incoming JUCOs.

 

If you'd like to make a case for one of these schools or think there's one we may have missed, e-mail me at either vcoleman@cstv.com or van@hoopmasters.com.  Look for our final update once the smoke clears over the Florida situation, right here at "Generation Next."

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