Junior superstar Jabari Parker putting together legendary resume at Simeon.
MaxPreps continues to look ahead to the 2011-12 high school basketball season this week with a glance at the nation's top small forwards and wings.
For the first time, a non-senior owns the top spot in the Reebok Breakout Power Rankings. That honor goes to junior
Jabari Parker of
Simeon (Chicago) – already a two-time state champion and arguably the sport's most promising rising star.
Sophomore
Andrew Wiggins continues the underclassmen dominance by grabbing the No. 2 spot – and he hasn't even played a high school game in the United States yet. The Ontario, Canada native is bringing his game stateside this winter after a promising campaign on the summer circuit.
Next week our preseason power rankings continue with a look at the small forwards. Rankings are based on team success, statistics and projected impact on the 2011-12 high school basketball season.
Reebok Breakout Power Rankings
Jabari Parker
USA Basketball/Steven Maikoski
After back-to-back state titles and a gold medal with USA Basketball's developmental national team over the summer, can Parker add another impressive line to his resume by lifting a junior-dominated Simeon team to a national championship?
2. Andrew Wiggins, 6-7, 200, So., Huntington Prep (W.Va.)What to expect in 2011-12: The Canadian import may be the center of attention at Huntington Prep from the get-go, which is saying a lot considering the program has at least 10 surefire future Division I players.
3. Xavier Johnson, 6-6, 190, Sr., Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)Committed to ColoradoWhat to expect in 2011-12: This might be a bit of a surprise for those who watched Johnson play second fiddle to No. 1 overall prospect Shabazz Muhammad on the summer circuit with Dream Vision. Not that he was bad, but the Colorado commitment was on another level as a junior for the Monarchs, California's Division I state champs and a Top 10 team nationally.
4. Winston Shepard, 6-8, 205, Sr., Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)What to expect in 2011-12: Shepard showed his versatility over the summer with the aforementioned Dream Vision club. He should thrive in a similar role with Findlay Prep as Brandon Ashley and Anthony Bennett will allow him to play the wing.
5. Justin Anderson, 6-6, 225, Sr., Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.)Committed to VirginiaWhat to expect in 2011-12: Anderson is a physical marvel and can play just about anywhere he wants at the high school level. Expect the future Cavalier to pile up lots of double-doubles and help Montrose Christian grind opponents into submission.
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6. Jordan Adams, 6-5, 215, Sr., Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)Committed to UCLAWhat to expect in 2011-12: Adams wasn't a huge scorer at Oak Hill Academy as a junior, but the addition of several playmaking guards should help open things up for the Georgia native this winter.
7. Danuel House, 6-6, 190, Sr., Fort Bend Hightower (Missouri City, Texas)Committed to HoustonWhat to expect in 2011-12: The Hurricanes reached Texas' Class 5A semifinals last year with House playing a prominent role (13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds per game). Hightower will need even more for a repeat run in one of the nation's toughest classifications.
Jabari Bird
Photo by David Steutel
After posting 18.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, Hollowell could vie for Indiana Mr. Basketball honors if he can make Lawrence Central a state championship contender.
9. Jordan Price, 6-4, 215, Sr., Southwest DeKalb (Decatur, Ga.)Committed to AuburnWhat to expect in 2011-12: One of the more underappreciated talents in the country, Price will team with five-star big man
Shaq Goodwin to help Southwest DeKalb challenge Miller Grove for Class AAAA supremacy in Georgia.
10. Jabari Bird, 6-6, 180, Jr., Salesian (Richmond, Calif.)What to expect in 2011-12: With former Salesian point guard Dominic Artis electing to spend his senior year at Findlay Prep, Bird will have to elevate his game as the Pride steps outside its comfort zone in the Bay Area in events like the prestigious City of Palms Classic.
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11. Rondae Jefferson, 6-6, 195, Jr., Chester (Pa.)What to expect in 2011-12: After suiting up for the Chester football program this fall, Jefferson will be a focal point in Pennsylvania this winter as the Clippers chase back-to-back state titles.
12. Evan Nolte, 6-7, 200, Sr., Milton (Ga.)Committed to VirginiaWhat to expect in 2011-12: Nolte will have an opportunity to be more than just a long-distance specialist this season after the Eagles lost three seniors to high-major programs.
Deontae Hawkins
Photo by Nick Koza
Dekker will undoubtedly put up huge scoring numbers once again. Making the Crusaders a state championship contender is the only thing missing in the future Badger's highly decorated high school career.
14. Deontae Hawkins, 6-7, 195, Sr., Dunbar (Dayton, Ohio)What to expect in 2011-12: Expectations are high at Dunbar, where the versatile Hawkins joins Division I verbal commitments
Gary Akbar (Akron),
Andre Yates (Creighton) and hotshot freshman
Amos "A.J." Harris.
15. DeJuan Marrero, 6-5, 200, Sr., Bowman Academy (Gary, Ind.)Committed to DePaulWhat to expect in 2011-12: After going 44-4 with a state championship in Marrero's first two years in the program, Bowman Academy dipped a bit last season. The Eagles should bounce back with a huge season and another state championship run in his final campaign.
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16. James Young, 6-5, 200, Jr., Troy (Mich.)What to expect in 2011-12: Look for Young to build on an All-American sophomore campaign that included averages of 22.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
17. Cameron Biedscheid, 6-6, 180, Sr., Cardinal Ritter (St. Louis)Committed to Notre DameWhat to expect in 2011-12: With stars like Bradley Beal (Florida) and B.J. Young (Arkansas) moving on, Biedscheid should emerge as the St. Louis area's brightest star.
Troy Williams
Photo by Nick Koza
Pierre-Tokoto experienced a disappointing junior campaign and has taken a tumble from his one-time status as a Top 10-caliber prospect nationally. It's safe to assume the future Tar Heel will be playing with a chip on his shoulder this winter.
19. Troy Williams, 6-7, 190, Jr., Phoebus (Hampton, Va.)What to expect in 2011-12: A more seasoned Williams will help the Phantoms overcome a late-season swoon that saw them drop eight of their final 14 games after starting 14-0.
20. Savon Lloyd-Goodman, 6-6, 210, Sr., Constitution (Philadelphia)What to expect in 2011-12: Lloyd-Goodman left Academy of the New Church (Bryn Athyn, Pa.) for Constitution, where he will team with Daiquan Walker to give the Generals one of Philly's top one-two punches.
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21. Damyean Dotson, 6-5, 195, Sr., Yates (Houston)What to expect in 2011-12: After an early exit from last year's Class 4A state tournament, Dotson and a deep cast of Lions should have Yates in contention for its third state title in four years.
Jordan Loveridge
Photo by David Argyle
A young Lone Peak team knocked West Jordan out of the state tournament last year in the quarterfinals. Loveridge would like to strike one for the Utes by exacting revenge on current and future rivals Nick Emery and T.J. Haws – both Brigham Young verbal commitments – of Lone Peak this season.
23. Glenn Robinson III, 6-6, 190, Sr., Lake Central (St. John, Ind.)Committed to MichiganWhat to expect in 2011-12: Initially it was the name that drew people's attention to Robinson (yes, he is the son of Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson). It's not out of the question that he could be the second member of the family to win Mr. Basketball honors and lead his team to a Hoosier State championship.
24. Brandon Morris, 6-7, 190, Sr., Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.)Committed to GeorgiaWhat to expect in 2011-12: Known as a role player for one of the nation's best teams, Morris will have plenty of opportunities to prove he is more than that as Miller Grove tackles a brutal, showcase-packed schedule.
25. Derrick Griffin, 6-6, 215, Jr., Terry (Rosenberg, Texas)What to expect in 2011-12: Also a football standout, Griffin is one of the most physically impressive high school athletes in the country. Known for his ability to finish at the rim, Terry fans will be provided with plenty of YouTube moments this season.
