With the heavy spotlight on the current crop of rookies in the NBA and freshmen class in college basketball, we are turning our attention to some of the top frosh in high school basketball this season.
Two sons of former NBA players, the second-leading scorer in the entire state of Alabama and a player who ranks in the top three in the nation in steals per game headline an intriguing list of newcomers making a name for themselves across the nation this season.
Read on for a deeper dive into 10 freshmen who are making their mark on high school basketball this season.
J.J. Crawford gets pointers from his father, NBA legend and Rainier Beach assistant coach Jamal Crawford at the Hoophall Classic last month. (PHOTO: Lonnie Webb)
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Glenwood (Phenix City, Ala.)Sits second in the state of Alabama in scoring, averaging 27.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per contest while shooting 47.8 percent from the field. With 43 games under his belt after also playing as an eighth grader, Alexander is approaching 1,000 career points as he currently sits at 937.
Averaging 24.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.7 assists per contest. The 6-foot-3 guard is shooting 56.8 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from 3-point range and 85.0 percent from the free throw line.
One of the top freshman performers in the Midwest, the 6-4 guard is averaging 22.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 52.3 percent from the field, 43.0 percent from 3-point range and 78.0 percent from the free throw line.
The nation's third-leading scorer among freshmen according to data submitted to MaxPreps, Conroy is averaging 27.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest while shooting 46.1 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from 3-point range and 83.7 percent from the free throw line.
The son of three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford has game like his father, averaging around 19 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals per game for the No. 19-ranked team in the MaxPreps Top 25. He recently went off for 32 points in an overtime win at the Hoophall Classic. Crawford is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.
One of the most productive freshmen in the nation, the 6-2 guard is putting up 25.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 steals per contest. Giran is shooting 47.4 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from 3-point range and 82.6 percent from the free throw line.
Ranks in the top three in all five major statistical categories for this team, tallying 23.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 1.5 assists and 1.5 blocked shots per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the field, 31.9 percent from 3-point range and 78.1 percent from the free throw line.
Although his offensive numbers don't jump off the page, the 6-0 guard is the third in the nation in steals per game according to statistics submitted to MaxPreps. He averages 7.0 steals per game to go along with 12.4 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds. Gulley has posted double-doubles with double-digit steals three times in his past seven games.
Averaging 18.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game to lead his team in both departments. The 6-6 wing is shooting 59.2 percent from the field, 44.7 percent from 3-point range and 85.7 percent from the free throw line.
A dynamic performer for the Knights this season, the 6-2 guard is averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. He scored 34 points in a loss to St. James (Springfield, Va.) and 27 in a win over Hun (Princeton, N.J.).
