Video: MaxPreps Junior All-AmericansKevin Knox, Michael Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter among the best in high school basketball's Class of 2017.Highlighted by National Junior of the Year
Kevin Knox of
Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.), MaxPreps presents the 2015-16 Boys Basketball Junior All-American Team.
Selections are based on team success, individual production and local, regional and state honors from the recently completed season. Potential at the college and professional level is not a primary consideration. Players in post-graduate or non-scholastic programs are not eligible for inclusion.
Past Junior of the Year selections include:
2010 – Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2011 – Tony Parker, Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.)
2012 – Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2013 – Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2014 – Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2015 – Jayson Tatum, Chaminade (St. Louis, Mo.)
Photo by Jim Redman / Graphic by SocialRecluse Graphx
FIRST TEAMWendell Carter Jr., Pace Academy (Atlanta, Ga.)
6-10 | 250 | Forward | UncommittedPiled up 21.6 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.5 blocked shots per game for Class AA state champs. Duke, Kansas and Kentucky all in pursuit of blue chip honors student, who is also currently starring in the school's drama production of "You Can't Take It With You."Jordan Goodwin, Althoff Catholic (Belleville, Ill.)
6-3 | 210 | Guard | UncommittedCrusaders are 62-6 over past two seasons with state title this season thanks in part to Illinois POY's production and leadership.MAXPREPS NATIONAL JUNIOR OF THE YEAR
Kevin Knox, Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.)
6-8 | 195 | Forward | UncommittedUSA Basketball veteran piled up 29.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game for Florida Class 4A semifinalists. Started at quarterback for Crusader football team as a sophomore but is concentrating on hoops now.Michael Porter Jr., Father Tolton (Columbia, Mo.)
6-8 | 200 | Wing | UncommittedPumped in over 28 points per game for Missouri's Class 3 state champions, on pace for over 3,000 career points.Gary Trent Jr., Apple Valley (Minn.)
6-5 | 190 | Guard | UncommittedFirst team All-Stater averaged 25.9 points per game for 30-win Apple Valley.
SECOND TEAM
LiAngelo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.)
6-5 | 220 | Guard | Committed to UCLAAveraged 27.4 points per game for unbeaten section, state and national champions.Brian Bowen, La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.)
6-7 | 190 | Guard | UncommittedPosted 20.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game for Lakers, who made run to final at Dick's Nationals and finished ranked in Top 10 nationally.John Petty, J.O. Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.)
6-6 | 190 | Forward | UncommittedAlabama Mr. Basketball won state title in school's final year of existence, averaging just under 19 points per game.Lindell Wigginton, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
6-2 | 180 | Guard | UncommittedEmerged as go-to scorer for 45-1 Warriors, who finished ranked No. 2 nationally.Trae Young, Norman North (Norman, Okla.)
6-1 | 170 | Guard | UncommittedPowered Oklahoma's 6A runner-up with 34.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
THIRD TEAM
Mohamed Bamba, Westtown (Pa.)
6-10 | 215 | Center | Uncommitted247Sports No. 2 2017 prospect led Westtown to Friends Schools League regular season and tournament titles.Quade Green, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia, Pa.)
5-11 | 165 | Guard | UncommittedPennsylvania Class AAA POY led Saints to sixth state title in seven years.Markell Johnson, East Tech (Cleveland, Ohio)
6-1 | 170 | Junior | Guard | UncommittedOhio Division II and Cleveland.com All-Area POY averaged 31.2 points per game.Davion Mitchell, Liberty County (Hinesville, Ga.)
6-1 | 185 | Guard | Committed AuburnBouncy guard produced 24.2 points, 7.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game for Class AAAA state champions.Sage Surratt, East Lincoln (Denver, N.C.)
6-4 | 200 | Guard | UncommittedRunner-up to Kentucky-bound senior Bam Adebayo for North Carolina POY honors after piling up 31.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
HONORABLE MENTION
Aguek Arop, Omaha South (Omaha, Neb.)
6-5 | 190 | Forward | Committed to NebraskaNebraska POY led Packers to 28-1 record, state title.Troy Brown, Centennial (Las Vegas, Nev.)
6-6 | 190 | Guard | UncommittedPlus-sized point guard recorded 19.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game for 24-win Bulldogs.Marcus Garrett, Skyline (Dallas, Texas)
6-5 | 180 | Guard | UncommittedDFW SportsDay All-Area first team pick after putting up 17.7 points, 10.1 assists and 7.0 rebounds per game.Kobe King, La Crosse Central (La Crosse, Wis.)
6-3 | 175 | Guard | Committed to WisconsinAssociated Press first team All-State selection poured in 25.5 points per game for 22-win Red Raiders.Corey Kispert, King's (Seattle, Wash.)
6-6 | 205 | Wing | UncommittedAveraged 22 points per game, won state title (by 41 points) and was named Washington's Class A POY.Brandon McCoy, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.)
6-11 | 245 | Center | UncommittedSparked playoff upset of nationally-ranked Sierra Canyon with 23 points and 14 rebounds, averaged 21.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.6 blocked shots on the season.Chuck O'Bannon Jr., Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
6-5 | 200 | Guard | UncommittedPlayed alongside McDonald's All-American Zach Collins but still led Nevada state champs in scoring at 21.4 points per game.Chuma Okeke, Westlake (Atlanta, Ga.)
6-8 | 220 | Forward | UncommittedPut Lions on the radar for 2016-17 as AAAAAA champs have talented young cast to go around Okeke.Brandon Rachal, Natchitoches Central (Natchitoches, La.)
6-5 | 190 | Guard | UncommittedClass 5A first team All-State selection helped Chiefs win their second title in three years.Cody Riley, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
6-8 | 240 | Forward | UncommittedProduced 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds per game for team that spent much of the season ranked in the Top 10 nationally. Classmate Remy Martin was also in the running for Junior All-American consideration.Mitchell Robinson, Chalmette (La.)
6-11 | 230 | Center | Committed to Texas A&MOwls won 16 more games this season than in 2014-15 after addition of Robinson, who produced 19.6 points, 12.5 rebounds and 7.9 blocked shots per game.Paul Scruggs, Southport (Indianapolis, Ind.)
6-3 | 195 | Guard | UncommittedAssociated Press first team All-State pick pushed Cardinals to best season since 1990, averaging 19.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.0 steals per game.
James Walker Jr., Jonesboro (Ga.)
6-5 | 210 | Guard | Uncommitted2014-15 MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year was a stud once again, putting up 22.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.Lonnie Walker, Reading (Pa.)
6-5 | 185 | Guard | UncommittedDynamic athlete and dunker led Red Knights to 29 wins, Class AAAA semifinals.Kris Wilkes, North Central (Indianapolis, Ind.)
6-7 | 190 | Forward | UncommittedLatest in long line of stars at North Central, averaged 22.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for 22-win Panthers.