2011 City of Palms Classic: 22 Prospects to Watch

The 39th annual City of Palms Classic tipped off today, featuring 24 of the best high school and prep school programs the United States has to offer. In honor of  one of the best events of the high school basketball season, here are 22 prospects worth watching from today through next Wednesday’s championship.

Shabazz Muhammad, Bishop Gorman High School (Nv.)- The 6’6″ shooting guard is the cream of the crop in the class of 2012. Everyone wants him, but who’s going to get him?

 Julius Randle, Prestonwood Christian Academy (Tx.) – The 6’9″ power forward can dominate games in a variety of ways, and makes the game look easy when toying with defenders.

Nerlens Noel, The Tilton School (NH.) – The best defender in high school basketball. Watching the 6’10″ power forward block shots is definitely worth the price of admission.

 Isaiah Austin, Grace Prep (Tx.) – He’s a 7’0″ center who can handle, pass, and shoot like a guard. You won’t find many players like him in the country, not only now, but for the next few years. Enjoy him while you can.

Amile Jefferson, Friends Central High School (Pa.) – The Philadelphia standout is a 6’7″ power forward, who once he develops a consistent jump shot, is going to take his game to the next level. A very talented forward who may become elite once he enters the college game.

Tony Parker, Miller Grove High School (Ga.) – The 6’9″, 270 pound space eater is a true big man. He will spend his time in the paint carving space and bruising and battering his opponents on the low block with his powerful frame.

Jabari Bird, Salesian High School (Ca.) - One of the most talented juniors in America, the 6’5″ shooting guard is an explosive athlete who epitomizes “smooth”.

Katin Reinhardt, Mater Dei High School (Ca.) – The future UNLV Runnin’ Rebel is a 6’5″ shooting guard who is a flashy passer and a very consistent jump shooter. Very fun to watch.

Ricardo Gathers, Riverside Academy (La.) - He is a powerful post prospect in the class of 2012. He is a 6’7″, 240 pound power forward with explosive athleticism and the body of an NFL football player.

Kasey Hill, Montverde Academy (Fl.) - The 6’0″ floor general blew up over the summer and is now one of the most in-demand point guards in the country. He is capable of getting to the rim any time he wants, and loves to dunk when attacking the hoop.

Goodluck Okonoboh, The Tilton School (NH.) - A 6’9″ power forward who thrives in transition and when blocking shots, he is a mirror of his high school teammate, Nerlens Noel. Though he isn’t quite as talented as him, he is still one of the best power forwards in the country.

Savon Goodman, Constitution High School (Pa.) – He is a blue-collar 6’6″ shooting guard who always finds a way to get the job done. He is at his best when attacking the rim and creating contact.

Jordan Mickey, Grace Prep (Tx.) – The late-blooming 6’7″ power forward is skyrocketing to the top of the class of 2013 rankings. He is a lengthy prospect who blocks a ton of shots, and is rapidly improving to where he should be a small forward by next year.

Wayne Selden, The Tilton School (NH.) - A 6’4″ shooting guard with a grown-man’s body. He is the most athletic player in the sophomore class and captivates audiences with his thunderous dunks.

Xavier Johnson, Mater Dei High School (Ca.) – The 6’6″ senior small forward is a steal for the University of Colorado. He is a scorer who can get you baskets in a variety of ways.

Jaren Sina, Gill St. Bernard’s School (NJ.) – A 6’2″ junior point guard who is absolutely deadly when in a shooting rhythm. The one-time Alabama commit is now back on the market and plenty of schools are fighting to land him.

Stephen Zimmerman, Bishop Gorman High School (Nv.) - Right now, the #1 freshman basketball player in America. The 6’10″ left-handed power forward has good quickness, can shoot, and blocks tons of shots. Very good looking prospect right now.

Rashad Muhammad, Bishop Gorman High School (Nv.) - The “other” Muhammad is quite a prospect in his own right. He is a 6’4″ shooting guard who is evolving into a point guard, which could make him a hot commodity in the class of 2013.

Emmanuel Mudiay, Grace Prep (Tx.) - The 6’3″ sophomore point guard is an explosive athlete who loves to score. Think of a younger Derrick Rose. He’s a star, and soon the rest of the country will know that as well.

DeAngelo Russell, Montverde Academy (Fl.) – The state of Kentucky’s best prospect in quite some time. The 6’3″ shooting guard is a scorer at heart, but has terrific court vision and is a gifted passer.

Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei High School (Ca.) – Another superstar sophomore. He is a 6’5″ shooting guard who has a terrific skill set for a prospect so young. He also is a good rebounder for his size.

Jaylen Brantley, Willbraham and Monson School (Ma.) - A 5’10″ junior point guard who is a terrific decision maker with the ball and a dead-eye shooter out to three-point range.

 

For a complete look at the tournament teams, bracket, and schedule, head over to www.cityofpalmsclassic.com
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