Emoni Bates, Jalen Johnson lead MaxPreps preview of impact wings for the 2019-20 season.
Video: National Freshman Player of the Year - Emoni Bates The sophomore looks to build on his phenomenal year and is one of the Top 10 returning wings.
The 2019-20 high school basketball season is almost here. We continue our preseason content with the top 10 wings to watch this
season.
Follow along with our preseason
coverage through late November for everything you need to know for the
upcoming high school basketball campaign.
The talent is abundant this season led by a senior class loaded from top to bottom.
Here's a look at some of the top wings in the game:
As a sophomore last year, he earned state Gatorade Player of the Year honors averaging 34 points, 17.5 rebounds and 2.9 steals per contest. The 5-star wing navigated the Blue Jays to the program's first state championship since 1942. Regarded as the No. 13 overall player in the class of 2021, according to
247sports composite rankings, Mohammed is set to show out for another monster year in The Show-Me State.
Although not considered a 5-star prospect like many of the names
on this list, his impact goes well beyond future
projections. He's still developing an outside shot, but his
elite physical skill set at the wing position provides a decided
advantage around the basket. The 6-foot-6 Timberlake finds a way to make
winning plays with his rugged defensive approach and tenacity on the
glass.
The versatile 6-6 wing announced over the summer he would attend the first-year program after spending one season at Rainier Beach (Seattle). In 2018-19, he led the Vikings to the WIAA Class 4A state semifinals, averaging 26 points, 11 rebounds and five assists per contest. Look for him to push for 5-star status with an impressive senior season.
The Crusaders have all the pieces to put together a Top 25-caliber team this season and that begins with their 5-star junior. Limited to 16 games last season due to injuries, the talented wing still filled the stat sheet upon his return averaging 20.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.5 blocks per game. If healthy, Griffin is primed for a huge junior season facing a daunting national schedule.
Regarded
as the No. 2 overall prospect in the class of 2021 behind only Jonathan Kuminga,
Baldwin will be the player to watch from the Badger State this season.
The second team MaxPreps Sophomore All-American averaged 19 points, 8.2
rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest to guide his squad to the WIAA-WI
Division 1 state quarterfinals. Expect the sharpshooting wing to
improve with all the tools to be a difference maker at the
next level.
The transfer has continued to improve his game, climbing to No. 5 overall in the class of 2020, according to the latest 247sports composite rankings. At Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) last year, he averaged 27 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists per contest. While his scoring production might decrease on a better team this season, his impact on the game will remain strong as the ultra-athletic wing is set for a big senior year.
After leading Fort Lauderdale's University to back-to-back GEICO Nationals appearances, the Florida State pledge joins the team that ousted the Sharks each of the past two seasons. Last year, he averaged 14.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists per contest to lead University to its second consecutive state title. He should be an integral piece for a loaded Eagles team in search of a record fifth GEICO Nationals crown.
The elite 6-8 wing captured MaxPreps Sophomore Player of the Year honors
last season averaging 25 points, five rebounds and five assists per
contest for Our Savior New American. As he
continues to develop his game, the transfer will be relied upon to be the catalyst
for an extremely talented Patrick School team with a chance at a Top 5
finish. Look for the No. 1 overall junior to continue his excellent play this season.
2. Emoni Bates — Lincoln (Ypsilanti, Mich.)Recently featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, the sophomore sensation had one of the more memorable freshman seasons of the MaxPreps era. He earned MaxPreps Freshman of the Year honors averaging 28.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, and led the Railsplitters to their first state championship in program history with a game-high 23 points in the title game. Expectations are sky-high for the top prospect regardless of class.
1. Jalen Johnson — IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)The 2018-19
Wisconsin Associated Press Player of the Year led Nicolet to its first state title in program history, posting 20 points and 20
rebounds in the state title game. Johnson earned first
team MaxPreps Junior All-American honors averaging 19.7
points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists per contest. The Duke bound 5-star appears to be
the perfect piece to guide the Ascenders in their national
title defense.
Scottie Barnes, Montverde Academy
File photo by Jim Redman
Oct. 31 — Top 10 guards
Nov. 6 — Preseason Top 25 rankings
Nov. 13 — Preseason Top 100 rankings
Nov. 19 — Tournaments and events to watch
Nov. 20 — Best team in all 50 states
Nov. 21 — MaxPreps National Player of the Year Watch List
Nov. 27 — Toughest schedules
