MaxPreps Class of 2011 Basketball Top 100

By Jason Hickman Aug 12, 2009, 12:00am

New Jersey's Michael Gilchrist alone at the top for now.

High school basketball’s class of 2011 is loaded with promising players, but little debate exists about who belongs at the top of the list.

Michael Gilchrist, a 6-foot-7 wing forward from national powerhouse St. Patrick in Elizabeth, N.J., has been impressive enough to garner praise as the top high school prospect in the country – regardless of class.

Michael Gilchrist, St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.)
Michael Gilchrist, St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.)
Photo by Jim Redman
Gilchrist averaged 14.9 points and 8.3 rebounds as a sophomore for head coach Kevin Boyle’s Celtics, helping the program finish with a 30-3 record in 2009 and the Garden State’s coveted Tournament of Champions title.

Kentucky and Villanova have consistently been reported as Gilchrist’s collegiate leaders, but he recently told The Philadelphia Inquirer, “It’s wide open. I want to be recruited heavily.”

Gilchrist is far from the only star attraction in the class. James McAdoo of Virginia’s Norfolk Christian posted 25.2 points and 11 rebounds per game as a sophomore as was a standout on the United States Under-16 team that captured a gold medal in Argentina this summer. He checks in at No. 2.

No. 3 Austin Rivers – the son of Boston Celtics head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers – averaged 23.6 points per game in leading Winter Park, Fla., to a 24-8 record and the Class 6A state semifinals.

No. 4 Bradley Beal of St. Louis led Chaminade to Missouri’s Division 5 state title last winter and paced the aforementioned USA U-16 squad in scoring at over 19 points per contest.

No. 5 Rakeem Christmas, a running mate of Gilchrist’s this summer with Team Final, is a promising 6-9 forward who will be making the transition from Philadelphia’s Northeast Catholic to nearby Academy of the New Church this fall.

MaxPreps Class of 2011 Top 100

RNK  NAME POS HT/WT SCHOOLS
 1.  Michael Gilchrist
St. Patrick (Elizabeth, NJ)
 G, W   6-7/185    
Has solidified his hold on No. 1 week after week this summer. Garnering some praise as top high school prospect regardless of class. Averaged 14.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore for one of the nation's premier high school programs at St. Patrick.
 2.  James McAdoo
Norfolk Christian (Norfolk, VA)
 P   6-8/215    
Averaged 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds for USA Under-16 gold medal team in Argentina this summer before suffering injury that is expected sideline him for five months.
 3.  Austin Rivers
Winter Park (FL)
 PG   6-3/185   Florida 
Averaged 23.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as sophomore.
 4.  Bradley Beal
Chaminade (St. Louis, MO)
 G   6-3/180    
Was among the standouts for USA Under-16 gold medal team in Argentina, leading team in scoring at over 19 points per game; led Chaminade to state title as a sophomore.
 5.  Rakeem Christmas
Academy of the New Church (Bryn Athyn, PA)
 P   6-9/225    
Played at Philly's Northeast Catholic as a sophomore, averaging over 10 points, seven rebounds per game.
 6.  Adonis Thomas
Melrose (Memphis, TN)
 G, W   6-6/200    
Had a big summer, including impressive stint with USA Under-16 gold medal team.
 7.  Quincy Miller
Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, NC)
 P   6-9/200    
Once he adds some muscle and strength to 6-9 frame could make a run at the top of this list.
 8.  Marquis Teague
Pike (Indianapolis, IN)
 G   6-1/165    
Averaged over 20 points per game as a sophomore at Pike and drew rave reviews at every stop on the summer circuit.
 9.  Le Bryan Nash
Lincoln (Dallas, TX)
 P   6-8/215    
After averaging over 18 points and 11 rebounds per game as a sophomore and earning district MVP honors, beginning to fulfill tremendous expectations that accompanied him entering high school.
 10.  Myck Kabongo
St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, NJ)
 G   6-2/165   Texas 
Lead guard does what it takes to win and plays with supreme confidence.
 11.  Johnny O'Bryant
East Side (Cleveland, MS)
 P   6-9/215    
Big, intimidating presence in the paint gained valuable experience as member of gold medal USA Under-16 team.
 12.  Michael Shaw
De La Salle (Chicago, IL)
 P   6-8/210    
Helped lead De La Salle to a 21-5 record, sectional finals as a sophomore.
 13.  Tony Wroten Jr.
Garfield (Seattle, WA)
 G, W   6-5/185    
After eligibility dispute disrupted start of sophomore season, averaged 17.6 points per game and led Garfield to 4A title game.
 14.  Wayne Blackshear
Morgan Park (Chicago, IL)
 G, W   6-5/210    
Mid-season transfer put a stain on sophomore season, but regarded by some as Chicago's top 2011 talent.
 15.  Julian Royal
Milton (Alpharetta, GA)
 P   6-8/200    
Only sophomore to earn first or second team All-State honors in Georgia's Class AAAAA after leading Milton to state championship game.
 16.  Angelo Chol
Hoover (San Diego, CA)
 P   6-9/190    
One of the nation's top shot blockers, averaging nearly 10 per game as a sophomore.
 17.  Quinn Cook
DeMatha (Hyattsville, MD)
 G   6-0/165    
Averaged 15.6 points per game for USA Under-16 team this summer in Argentina.
 18.  Matt Carlino
Bloomington South (Bloomington, IN)
 PG   6-3/175   Indiana 
Showed up in Bloomington two years early from Arizona to play with defending Indiana champs.
 19.  Juan'ya Green
Archbishop Carroll (Radnor, PA)
 G   6-3/185    
Well-built guard has plenty of offense but is a lockdown defender.
 20.  P. J. Hairston
Dudley (Greensboro, NC)
 W   6-6/205   North Carolina 
Youth football star averaged 24.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
 21.  La Quinton Ross
Murrah (Jackson, MS)
 W, P   6-9/200    
Received mixed reviews this summer, but earned second team All-State honors as a sophomore after posting 23.7 points and nine rebounds per game.
 22.  Michael Gbinije
Benedictine (Richmond, VA)
 W   6-6/190    
Transferring from Christchurch to Benedictine this fall, which produced current North Carolina Tar Heel Ed Davis.
 23.  Quddus Bello
Westchester Academy (High Point, NC)
 W   6-4/170    
Athletic wing is a dunking machine.
 24.  Trevor Lacey
Butler (Huntsville, AL)
 G   6-3/190    
Second team All-State selection as a sophomore, posting 17 points per game and leading Butler to state title.
 25.  Naadir Tharpe
Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, NH)
 G   6-0/180    
Averaged 26.5 points per game as a freshman at St. Peter-Marian (Worcester, Mass.) before moving on to play with talented cast at Brewster Academy.
 26.  Deville Smith
Callaway (Jackson, MS)
 G   5-11/170    
Ultra-athletic point was part of a state championship team as a sophomore.
 27.  Aaron Ross
Parkview (Little Rock, AR)
 P   6-7/210   Arkansas 
Class 6A All-State selection as a sophomore.
 28.  Ky Madden
East Poinsett County (Lepanto, AR)
 G   6-4/175    
Small-school Arkansas star averaged 24.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season.
 29.  Tracy Abrams
Mount Carmel (Chicago, IL)
 G   6-2/180   Illinois 
Athletic and competitive combo guard is part of a talented 2011 crop from Chicago.
 30.  Jabari Brown
Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV)
 G   6-3/190    
Leading scorer for California Division IV state champion before transferring to Findlay Prep.
 31.  Tyler Adams
Brandon (MS)
 P   6-9/225    
Averaged 18.3 points, 13.6 points and 4.4 blocks per game as a sophomore.
 32.  Dai - Jon Parker
Milton (Alpharetta, GA)
 G   6-4/185    
Part of a talented junior triumvirate at Milton along with Julian Royal and Shannon Scott.
 33.  Cezar Guerrero
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA)
 G   6-0/165    
Scoring guard played at St. John Bosco as a freshman, Workman High School as a sophomore and will return to the former as a junior.
 34.  Gary Bell
Kentridge (Kent, WA)
 G   6-1/175    
Breakout season as a sophomore, earning Seattle all-area honors after averaging over 19 points per game and leading team to 4A state semifinals.
 35.  Rodney Hood
Meridian (MS)
 W, P   6-8/200    
Long, athletic wing forward helped Meridian compile 25-5 record last season.
 36.  Kori Babineaux
Folsom (CA)
 G   6-3/190    
Averaged 14.5 points per game for 31-2 Folsom squad as a sophomore and has had some nice showings over the summer.
 37.  Marquis Rankin
Vance (Charlotte, NC)
 G   6-0/160    
Averaged 12 points per game as a sophomore for 24-4 Vance squad.
 38.  Chasson Randle
Rock Island (IL)
 G   6-2/170    
All-State selection averaged 18.7 points per game in leading Rock Island on deep playoff run.
 39.  Amir Williams
Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills, MI)
 P   6-10/195    
Despite coming off the bench for Country Day as a sophomore, regarded as one of Michigan's best in the class of 2011.
 40.  Brandan Kearney
Southeastern (Detroit, MI)
 G   6-5/180    
Another member of USA Under-16 gold medal team in Argentina.
 41.  Kyle Wiltjer
Jesuit (Portland, OR)
 P   6-9/200    
Led Jesuit to 6A state title, played for Canada in Nike Global Challenge in August.
 42.  Jahii Carson
Mesa (AZ)
 G   5-10/170   Oregon State 
Averaged 27.3 points and 6.8 assists per game at Mountain Pointe before transferring to Mesa in the off-season.
 43.  Brandon Dawson
Wallace (Gary, IN)
 W   6-5/190    
One of the top 15 non-seniors in the state of Indiana last year according to Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and standout performer on the summer circuit.
 44.  De Andre Daniels
Taft (Woodland Hills, CA)
 W, F   6-7/185   Texas 
Sat out a year ago after transferring to Taft.
 45.  Damien Leonard
Mann (Greenville, SC)
 G   6-4/185    
Class 3A All-State selection can fill it up from all over the court.
 46.  Bobby Parks Jr.
St. George's (Collierville, TN)
 W   6-4/185    
Tennessee's Division II-A Mr. Basketball after posting 22.1 points, eight rebounds per outing.
 47.  Nick Johnson
Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV)
 G, W   6-4/190    
Headed to Nevada power Findlay Prep after helping Highland (Ariz.) reach state title game with Matt Carlino last season.
 48.  Dre Henley
Brehm Prep (Carbondale, IL)
 W   6-6/215    
Teamed with Mike Shaw at De La Salle in Chicago last season.
 49.  Bishop Daniels
Word of God Christian Academy (Raleigh, NC)
 G   6-2/180    
Should pop this winter after playing in the shadow of Kentucky signee John Wall last season.
 50.  Mikael Hopkins
DeMatha (Hyattsville, MD)
 P   6-8/195    
If offensive game approaches rebounding and shot-blocking ability, watch out.
 51.  Ryan Taylor
Lawrence North (Indianapolis, IN)
 W, P   6-5/205   Louisville 
Wing-post 'tweener was able to attract plenty of attention as a sophomore despite playing for loaded Lawrence North program.
 52.  Sterling Gibbs
Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, NJ)
 G   6-1/170    
Averaged 16.8 points per game as a sophomore, including career-high 33 in playoff win over St. Peter's Prep.
 53.  Jamal Branch
Grace Prep (Arlington, TX)
 G   6-3/170   Texas A&M 
Joining forces with 2012 7-footer Isaiah Austin at Grace Prep after transferring from Atascocita in Humble.
 54.  Shannon Scott
Milton (Alpharetta, GA)
 G   6-2/170    
Joins Top 100 talents Julian Royal and Dai-Jon Parker at Milton.
 55.  Elgin Cook
Hamilton (Milwaukee, WI)
 W   6-6/185    
Son of former NBA standout Alvin Robertson averaged 13.6 points per game as a sophomore under Hamilton coach Tom Diener.
 56.  Myles Davis
St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, NJ)
 G   6-1/175    
One of the top scorers at July's Reebook Summer Championships (23.3 points per game).
 57.  Trevor Cooney
Sanford (Hockessin, DE)
 G   6-3/185    
Active and athletic guard has a deadly 3-point stroke.
 58.  Chane Behanan
Bowling Green (KY)
 P   6-7/230   Cincinnati 
Transferring from Cincinnati's Aiken High School to Bowling Green this fall.
 59.  Kentavious Caldwell
Greenville (GA)
 G   6-4/170    
Was among Georgia's top scorers as a sophomore at tiny Greenville, posting over 26 points per game, including a 40-point effort.
 60.  Kevin Johnson
Serra (Gardena, CA)
 P   6-9/250    
If massive Californian can control emotions and develop a go-to move around the basket, could shoot toward the top of 2011 class.
 61.  Tyrone Johnson
Plainfield (NJ)
 G   6-3/185    
In a backcourt that also featured Pittsburgh commitment Isaiah Epps and talented senior Anthony Baskerville, Johnson averaged 21 points per game as a sophomore.
 62.  Ryan Boatright
East (Aurora, IL)
 G   6-1/160    
Committed to USC before playing a high school game, but back on the market; averaged 17.5 points per game as a sophomore.
 63.  Nnana Egwu
St. Ignatius (Chicago, IL)
 P   6-9/210    
Nigerian-born big man is new to the game but progressing at a rapid rate.
 64.  Jakarr Sampson
St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, OH)
 P   6-8/185    
Rising star at LeBron's alma mater.
 65.  Percy Gibson
Southeastern (Detroit, MI)
 P   6-8/230    
Big-bodied post looks the part, now must improve offensive repertoire.
 66.  Samuel Thompson
Young (Chicago, IL)
 W   6-6/185    
Should see role with loaded Whitney Young program increase significantly as a junior.
 67.  Wesley Saunders
Windward (Los Angeles, CA)
 G, W   6-5/175    
Helped Windward capture Division V state title with 21 points in championship game.
 68.  Richard Peters
Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, NH)
 P   6-9/260   Oklahoma 
Toronto native makes early call for Sooners.
 69.  Jordan Goodman
Progressive Christian Academy (Camp Springs, MD)
 P   6-8/205    
Serious car accident turned life upside down three years ago; now back on track and a highly-coveted prospect.
 70.  Thomas Gipson
Cedar Hill (TX)
 P   6-7/235    
Posted 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as sophomore for powerhouse Cedar Hill program.
 71.  Angel Nunez
Winchendon (MA)
 W   6-7/180    
Prepping at Winchendon after leaving Cardinal Hayes in New York City.
 72.  Jalen Packer
Princeton (IN)
 G   6-2/170    
Led Princeton to undefeated, state championship season as sophomore.
 73.  Achraf Yacoubou
Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY)
 W   6-4/190    
Helped Lutheran win NYS Class A Tournament of Champions title.
 74.  Jabarie Hinds
Mt. Vernon (NY)
 G   6-0/165    
Point guard is the next in line at Bob Cimino's powerhouse Mt. Vernon program.
 75.  Josiah Turner
Sacramento (CA)
 G   6-3/170    
Has pulled back on an early pledge to Arizona State; averaged 14.5 points, 3.5 assists as sophomore.
 76.  Chris Jones
Melrose (Memphis, TN)
 G   5-10/165    
Scoring guard has some monster performances on summer circuit after averaging 18.8 points, 4.9 assists last season.
 77.  Angel Rodriguez
Dr. Krop (Miami, FL)
    5-10/165    
Catalyst for a 28-5 Dr. Krop outfit, posting 18 points, 9.3 assists per game.
 78.  Sheldon McClellan
Bellaire (TX)
 G, W   6-5/185   Texas 
Top 100 talent continues to flood into Austin with McClellan, who averaged over 18 points per game as a sophomore.
 79.  Carlton Brundidge
Southfield (MI)
 G   6-1/180    
Averaged 24.5 points per game as a sophomore - including season-high of 44.
 80.  Michael Chandler
Lawrence North (Indianapolis, IN)
 P   6-10/220   Louisville 
Will have a chance to shine this winter after playing on Lawrence North team loaded with talented post players a year ago.
 81.  Byron Wesley
Cajon (San Bernardino, CA)
 W   6-5/190    
Pumped in over 18 points per game last season.
 82.  Kevin Ware
Rockdale County (Conyers, GA)
 G, W   6-4/180    
Came off the bench for Rockdale County as a sophomore, could fly up the rankings as he becomes the focal point of high school team.
 83.  Darwin ( Dee ) Davis
Bloomington South (Bloomington, IN)
 PG   5-10/155   Xavier 
Part of nation's best high school backcourt at Bloomington South with Matt Carlino and Spencer Turner.
 84.  Jacoby Brissett
Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
 G, W   6-4/210    
Led Dwyer to state 5A final fours in both football and basketball as a sophomore.
 85.  Cody Zeller
Washington (IN)
 P   6-9/185    
Brother of North Carolina's Tyler Zeller started making a name for himself this summer.
 86.  Aaron Brown
Penn Wood (Lansdowne, PA)
 W, P   6-5/205    
Averaged 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game for very talented and balanced Penn Wood squad.
 87.  Malcolm Brogdon
Fayette County (Fayetteville, GA)
 G, W   6-4/190    
Averaged 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for 22-8 Fayette County team that also featured Clemson signee Noel Johnson.
 88.  Rod Days
Sagemont (Weston, FL)
 W   6-7/200    
Second team All-Broward County selection as a sophomore.
 89.  Jacob Williams
Bartlett (IL)
 W   6-5/180    
Despite missing last season after being expelled from Chicago's St. Patrick, colleges couldn't wait to see him back in action on summer circuit.
 90.  Maurice Harkless
Forest Hills (NY)
 W   6-6/165    
Slender frame didn't stop New Yorker from posting double-double numbers as a sophomore (16 points, 11 rebounds per game).
 91.  Tony Kimbro
Christ (Arden, NC)
 G, W   6-4/170    
Louisville native averaged 8.2 points per game (fourth on team) after transferring to loaded Christ School program last fall.
 92.  Robert Selmon Jr.
Central (Phoenix, AZ)
 G, W   6-4/180    
Lefty shooter led team by posting 17.7 points per game.
 93.  Austin Etherington
Hamilton Heights (Arcadia, IN)
 G, W   6-6/190   Indiana 
Positive vibe continues to build at Indiana with commitment of Etherington, who averaged nearly 16 points per game as a sophomore.
 94.  James ( Zach ) Price
St. Edward (Lakewood, OH)
 P   6-10/200    
St. Edward's Top 100 duo of Price and Delbert Love will get big litmus test in December at City of Palms Classic.
 95.  Marshall Plumlee
Christ (Arden, NC)
 P   7-0/200    
Even though his opportunities were limited at Christ School last winter, with a 6-11 frame and two older brothers playing at Duke, we like his chances.
 96.  Delbert Love
St. Edward (Lakewood, OH)
 G   6-1/175    
Carrying on recent tradition of talent at St. Edward that includes Michigan State's Delvon Roe, Indiana's Tom Pritchard.
 97.  D' Angelo Harrison
Dulles (Sugar Land, TX)
 G   6-2/175    
Deadly from distance, Harrison averaged 14.8 points and over three rebounds and assists per game for Dulles.
 98.  John Manning
Chantilly (VA)
 P   6-11/200    
All-State selection after posting 13 points, 10 rebounds and nearly four blocked shots per game.
 99.  Nick Jacobs
South Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)
 P   6-8/215    
Expect Jacobs to become a major national name now that Derrick Favors has moved on to Georgia Tech.
 100.  Gelaun Wheelwright
Centennial (Corona, CA)
 G   6-0/170   USC 
Averaged 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and three assists per game as sophomore.