Here are the 10 most likely to make the biggest impact as freshmen next season; Remarkably, four are headed to Final Four-bound Kentucky.
CHICAGO — Don't think that any of the McDonald's All-American boys basketball players have shown their best abilities yet.
Quinn Cook
Photo courtesy of McDonald
"The best is yet to come," said McDonald's boys' West coach Gene Pingatore about all the players in Chicago this week.
For some, though, the better days will arrive sooner rather than later.
That's because some of the boys are going to colleges that have immediate needs, while others will have to wait their turn. Of course, the eight to 10 who will wind up in the NBA (that's the estimate according to one NBA scout) will force their way onto the court very soon, but here are 10 who should play a big role fairly quickly.
Check out these boys and the other All-Americans when the 34th annual game will be played Wednesday at the United Center. The boys game is scheduled to tip off at 9 p.m. local time televised live on ESPN. The 10th girls game tips off at 6:30 p.m. (ESPN 3).
Quinn Cook, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)/Duke: "He sees the court very well," said East coach Bob Cimmino, which means he'll be able find fellow freshman Austin Rivers spotted up behind the 3-point line next year. Cook can also get to the rim, and Cimmino noted that unlike a lot of young players, Cook understands how to use his body to shield the ball and frustrate shot blockers.
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Anthony Davis
Photo courtesy of McDonald
Since Kentucky is the king of the one-and-dones, you expect John Calipari's recruits to play right away, and the 6-9 Davis will get every chance. He was a guard until a growth spurt, so he's got the perimeter game — he just needs to add bulk.
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Michael Gilchrist (left)
Photo courtesy of McDonald
It wouldn't matter how many Kentucky kids were coming back, Gilchrist would still make an immediate impact. At 6-7, he's an elite talent, with skills that would have made him a lottery pick if he could have come out this year, but what will help him as much at the next level is his grasp of the game. "He's a coach on the floor," said Cimmino, which means John Calipari will be able to use him with confidence.
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P.J. Hairston
Photo courtesy of McDonald
The Tar Heels lose a lot — did you really think Harrison Barnes was going to stay four years? — and the 6-6 Hairston will step in at the wing, especially if his jumper is consistent. He's a good ballhandler and willing to give it up, which will make him popular with his future teammates.
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Myck Kabongo
Photo courtesy of McDonald
"He's going to have an immediate impact because of his personality," said Pingatore. But the fact that he's the quickest guy on the floor won't hurt either. Look for Kabongo to play a lot right away, and not just because the Longhorns lose a lot to graduation. The main reason he'll get minutes is because he's really, really good.
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James McAdoo
Photo courtesy of McDonald
Like his uncle Bob, who was one of the great scorers in NBA history, James McAdoo can fill it up. "He's very smooth," said Cimmino, "and he plays in the stratosphere." He'll also play in Chapel Hill, and right away.
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LeBryan Nash
Photo courtesy of McDonald
Don't be fooled by the dunk contest title. Nash is more smooth than he is explosive, and he's more comfortable on the perimeter than on the block. He can shoot it, and his size and touch allow him to score in the paint where others can't. He'll fit in immediately in Stillwater.
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Austin Rivers
Photo courtesy of McDonald
Doc's kid isn't just a shooter (though he is certainly that). Rivers is more than athletic enough, and he's still got some room to develop physically. Yes, the 3-pointers go down, but Rivers dunks off backdoor cuts in practice, and he was close to winning the dunk contest. With Kyrie Irving and Nolan Smith gone, Rivers could easily start at Duke next year.
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Marquis Teague
Photo courtesy of McDonald
Of the Kentucky recruits, Teague might get the fewest minutes right away, but if Doron Lamb leaves, somebody has to play in the backcourt, and Teague's tremendous ballhandling and quick hands will put him in the mix. And given all the shooters going to Lexington with him, his passing skills are even more of a plus.
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Kyle Wiltjer
Photo courtesy of McDonald
Yes, that makes four Kentucky Wildcats in the same game, and Wiltjer may be last on this list (it‘s in alphabetical order, after all), but he's unlikely to be the least. At 6-10, he won the 3-point contest, but Pingatore pointed out that he's "fundamentally very strong," and can do whatever's needed at any time. And Wiltjer also has mastered the nearly lost art of the pump fake, which is just one more weapon in an already impressive arsenal.
