A pair of Kansas signees among seniors having big seasons, scheduled for bump in updated player rankings.
Kansas signee Landen Lucas is having a big senior year at Westview High School in Portland, Ore.
Photo by Larry Lawson
MaxPreps will release updated Top 100 lists for the 2012 and 2013 classes in April. We've compiled a list of 10 seniors and juniors making a strong case for a bump in the rankings this winter.
Five rising in the Class of 2012Sherron Dorsey-Walker, 6-4, 170, G, Pershing (Detroit)Headed to: Iowa State
Current rank: NR
Why he's on the rise: Dorsey-Walker and junior
Martez Walker have helped the Doughboys become one of the nation's highest-scoring teams, averaging 83.3 points per game. Pershing is unbeaten and ranked nationally, getting over 22 points per game from the senior guard.
Melvin Johnson, 6-3, 185, G, St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.)Headed to: Miami
Current rank: NR
Why he's on the rise: Johnson's forced transfer from Rice (New York) after the doors closed last spring has been a blessing in disguise. He's thrived under first-year St. Benedict's Prep coach Mark Taylor. The Gray Bees are 26-1 and ranked No. 3 in MaxPreps.com's Academy Top 10 with Johnson averaging 21.5 points per game.
Landen Lucas, 6-10, 245, C, Westview (Portland, Ore.)Headed to: Kansas
Current rank: NR
Why he's on the rise: Plan on seeing this name in our final Class of 2012. He got lost on a deep roster at Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) last season, but has shined at Westview as a senior, posting 19.2 points and 13.9 rebounds per game.
Denzel Valentine, 6-5, 205, G, Sexton (Lansing, Mich.)Headed to: Michigan State
Current rank: No. 100
Why he's on the rise: Valentine is a great fit at Michigan State. He's a winner, helping Sexton – ranked No. 21 nationally by MaxPreps – go 14-1 so far this season. The future Spartan has approached triple-double numbers nearly every night out for the Big Reds in 2011-12.
Zach Peters, 6-9, 235, F/C, Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)Headed to: Kansas
Current rank: NR
Why he's on the rise: Don't expect Peters to develop into a star for the Jayhawks, but he will be a solid three- or four-year contributor for Bill Self. He's posting 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for nationally-ranked PCA and really put his athleticism on display during the fall on the gridiron, hauling in 82 passes for 1,095 yards and 15 touchdowns as an oversized receiver.
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Nick Emery averaged 29.7 points per game at the prestigious Beach Ball Classic in December, hitting 18 threes in four outings while leading Lone Peak to the title game.
Photo by David Argyle
BYU
Current rank: NR
Why he's on the rise: BYU fans are dreaming of a Jimmer Fredette-like impact for the in-state sensation. That's an unfair expectation, but his shooting ability will ensure he is a major contributor for the Cougars. Emery is averaging 22.5 points per game and has knocked down 68 3-pointers in 19 games.
Anton Gill, 6-2, 180, G, Ravenscroft (Raleigh, N.C.)Headed to: Louisville
Current rank: No. 36
Why he's on the rise: Playing in the competitive North Carolina independent school ranks, Ravenscroft is 25-3 with Gill turning in some dominating performances along the way. He poured in 34 points last week in a big win over Christ School and is averaging over 18 points per game.
Dontel Highsmith, 6-2, 180, G, Dowagiac (Mich.)Headed to: Undecided
Current rank: NR
Why he's on the rise: Highsmith has put an injury-riddled sophomore campaign behind him in a big way. He's pouring in over 31 points per game and went off for 33 in a half in a late-January game.
JaJuan Johnson, 6-5, 185, G, Southwind (Memphis, Tenn.)Headed to: Undecided
Current rank: NR
Why he's on the rise: Johnson's play this season has somewhat overshadowed more highly-regarded teammate
Johnathan Williams III. He's pouring in 23.2 points per game for the nationally-ranked Jaguars.
Roschon Prince, 6-6, 215, G/F, Long Beach Poly (Calif.)Headed to: Undecided
Current rank: No. 53
Why he's on the rise: Long Beach Poly is 54-3 over the past two seasons and Prince is a major reason why. This year the junior wing is producing 20.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game. He named San Diego State the leader in his recruitment earlier this month.
