After a long and very exciting spring, we head into the final leg of the summer with tons of talent on the board and many top young prospects positioning themselves as "must see" talents this July. With that we begin to update our player rankings this month and first up is the Class of 2009. While there is no change at the top, a host of prospects reinforced their status this spring as elite national talents to be watched.
Here's a quick look at the new Top 10...Subscribers can read the expanded Top 75 here
NY2LA Sports #1 - 6'5" G/F Lance Stephenson - Brooklyn (Lincoln) NY
One of the premiere talents nationally, Stephenson can flat out get it done in a number of ways when he takes the floor. Right now he's head and shoulders above the class in terms of a finished product.
NY2LA Sports #2 - 6'0" G Kenny Boynton - American Heritage FL
The most electric player on the circuit nationally, KB brings to mind soft comparisons of a young Allen Iverson with his ability to dominate on the offensive end when he gets it going. A tough competitor, he may be one of if not the most marketable talents at the high school level due to his explosive scoring potential and ability to knock down big shots. Big time talent across the board.
NY2LA Sports #3 - 6'6" G/F Xavier Henry - Putnam City, OK
Another one of the top talents nationally. Put down an excellent performance at the Nike Memorial Day Classic and continues to stabilize his position as one of the cream of the crop talents nationally in the 09' class.
NY2LA Sports #4 - 6'10" F/C DeMarcus Cousins - LeFlore, LA
Big strong interior prospect with a soft touch and a smooth stroke. Ended his recruitment early with a surprising choice but he's got a solid interior skill set to go with massive physical tools.
NY2LA Sports #5 - 6'3" PG John Wall - Word of God, NC
Blast through the Spring with a number of strong performances. A multi-skilled talent who has the ability to control the game with the ball in his hands. High major impact talent with continued development.
NY2LA Sports #6 - 6'9" F/C Derrick Favors - South Atlanta, GA
An excellent interior prospect with solid physical tools and tons of upside and potential. Skill set and physical tools are still very raw so lots of room to grow. Rebounded from a subpar Spring to put down a monster performance at the Bob Gibbons tournament this past May to reinforce his position in the top 10 nationally.
NY2LA Sports #7 - 6'3" G Dexter Strickland - St. Patrick's, NJ
One of the top athletes in the Class of 2009. A young talent blessed with physical tools and the ability to dominate whenever he takes the floor. The sky is the limit on him.
NY2LA Sports #8 - 6'8" F Jamil Wilson - Racine Horlick, WI
The top Class of 2009 prospect in Wisconsin and the Midwest rebounded from nagging injuries early in the Spring to lead his team to Final Four finishes at the Arizona Cactus Classic and Nike Memorial Day Classic before helping lead them to the 2008 NY2LA Sports Invitational Championship. He drips with potential and exceptional physical tools whenever he takes the floor.
NY2LA Sports #9 - 6'10" F/C Renardo Sidney - Fairax, CA
Exceptional physical tools and enormous potential continues to land him in the Top 10 on virtually every board. Needs to begin playing and dominating complete games and tournaments at some point to stay there. Needs a big July performance to silence the critics.
NY2LA Sports #10 - 6'6" G Dominic Cheek - St. Anthony's (NJ)
Excellent long athletic frame with the ability to score the basketball from anywhere on the floor. Exceptionally skilled talent with big time room to grow and continue to develop.
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