Video: LaMelo Ball highlights See the flashy guard in action during sophomore year at Chino Hills.
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwight Howard all made the jump from high school straight to the NBA. The door for players to do the same is expected to open once again in the near future.
Chris Barnewall of CBSSports.com wrote that the rule change won't happen until the 2021 NBA Draft at the earliest. That could effectively end the one-and-done era though barring a mandate from the NCAA, players could still use college as a one-year showcase before departing for the pros.
Projecting lottery picks from high school basketball's 2021 class would be a bit of a stretch at this point, so we thought we would apply the idea to the current crop of rising seniors. Read on for a look at 10 straight-to-the-league talents in the Class of 2019.
Vernon Carey Jr., University
File photo by Jim Redman
Class of 2019 Top 10 Big Board
1. Vernon Carey Jr., University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)6-10 I ForwardMaxPreps National Junior of the Year averaged 26 points and 10.4 rebound per game this season, leading University to a Class 5A state championship. NBA teams will be drooling over Carey's combination of elite explosiveness, strong finishing abilities and versatility to take the ball off the dribble or hit the open spot-up jumper from deep.
2. Cole Anthony, Archbishop Molloy (Queens, N.Y.)6-2 I GuardSon of former NBA guard Greg Anthony, this NYC point guard is a ferocious competitor. On the AAU circuit this spring, Anthony led the Nike EYBL in scoring averaging 26.9 points per contest for the PSA Cardinals. He's a three-level scorer with the ability shoot from deep and finish with authority above the rim.
3. James Wiseman, Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.)6-11 I CenterWiseman may be the player with the most potential. He's silky smooth around the rim and possesses exceptional length. Using his strengths, Wiseman features an unstoppable patented lefty hook and causes havoc on the defensive end with his ability to alter shots. He averaged 18.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game for Penny Hardaway's squad at Memphis East last season.
LaMelo Ball helped Chino Hills win a national championship as a freshman.
Photo by: Nicholas Koza
6-5 I Guard
The biggest question mark on this list has to be Ball. After dropping 92 points in a game for
Chino Hills (Calif.) as a sophomore, his father LaVar removed him from the school before his junior year. Ball went on to play a short season in Lithuania before returning stateside. He's expected to play in the Big Baller Brand-sponsored Junior Basketball Association. How much will the unconventional route hurt LaMelo's stock? Only time will tell.
5. Trendon Watford, Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.)6-8 I ForwardWatford led Mountain Brook to its second consecutive state championship last season, averaging 23.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. The versatile wing has a great feel for the game and has shown his ability to be productive against top-level high school competition. The biggest questions surrounding Watford are around his ability to shoot with consistency and operate on the perimeter at the next level.
6. Scottie Lewis, Ranney (Tinton Falls, N.J.)6-5 I GuardLewis is a bit of a raw prospect at this point in his career, with elite explosiveness and quickness that very few can match. His upside is immense but the Panthers star still has a lot of development left for his game to reach its maximum potential. Lewis needs to continue to develop his jump shot and work on his ball-handling ability at the guard position. He averaged 16.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season.
7. Bryan Antoine, Ranney (Tinton Falls, N.J.)6-5 I GuardAntoine is a scoring, combo guard that plays with intensity on every possession on both ends of the court. The lanky athlete has good handles and a strong ability to create his own shot. He averaged 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game for Ranney last season, taking home All-Shore Player of the Year honors.
8. Precious Achiuwa, St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.)6-9 I ForwardAchiuwa has the potential to be one of the most versatile players in the class. As he continues to develop his all-around game, Achiuwa continues to show flashes of brilliance. Continually developing his jumper and showcasing his athleticism on both sides of the ball, Achiuwa averaged 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.9 blocks and 2.2 steals per game.
9. Tyrese Maxey, South Garland (Garland, Texas)6-3 I GuardDallas Morning News Player of the Year averaged 22.5 points, 7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game last season. The talented combo guard has shown his elite ability to score the ball from 20 feet and in, with impressive slashing abilities and a good mid-range jumper. The biggest question fall on his concentration the defensive side of the ball.
10. Jalen Lecque, Christ School (Arden, N.C.)6-4 I GuardLecque may be the most explosive guard in the Class of 2019, nearly averaging a triple-double during his junior campaign with 20.1 points, 9.3 assists and 9.1 rebounds per contest.He has the innate ability to finish strong around the rim from the guard position. His biggest hole is the inability to hit the 3-point jumper, going 4-of-38 in the Nike EYBL this spring.
Precious Achiuwa, St. Benedict's Prep
File photo by Wayne Litmer
