The high school season continues to take over the basketball landscape with each passing week and with the new year looming in the horizon this seems to be the perfect time to update our national rankings at NY2LASPORTS.COM.  Today we begin with the 2012 class where explosive wing Shabazz Muhammad of Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada sets the bar…

CLICK HERE FOR THE NY2LASPORTS.COM TOP 100 – 2012 PLAYER RANKINGS

(1)    SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD – 6-6 – G/F – BISHOP GORMAN (NV) (VIEW PROFILE)
The most explosive scoring wing in the country the past few years, Muhammad has the ability to take over the game whenever he hits the court and he does so with a versatile offensive package that includes perimeter shooting, post skills, mid range jumpers, and an improved ability to attack the rim off the bounce.  Was scintillating at times this past summer including, but not limited to, a Co-MVP performance at the 2012 UA Summer Jam presented by NY2LA Sports where he was spectacular once again.  Will decide in the spring from names like Kentucky, UCLA, etc.  

(2)    MITCH MCGARY – 6-10 – PF – BREWSTER ACADEMY (NH) (VIEW PROFILE)
No single player saw their name or recruiting stock soar as much in the past year and a half as this powerful interior talent.  Equipped with instincts, power, and a versatile skill package that includes an ability to score in the paint and knock down jumpers, McGary punished opposing teams throughout the spring and summer.  Mix in decent handles and an ability to run the court and a nasty streak that most quality bigs possess and you have the recipe for one of the most highly sought after interior prospects the past couple of years.  Shared Co-MVP honors with Shabazz Muhammad at the 2012 UA Summer Jam presented by NY2LA Sports after helping lead his SYF Players to the 17U tournament championship.  Committed to Michigan.

(3)    KALEB TARCZEWSKI – 7-0 – C – ST. MARKS (MA) (VIEW PROFILE)
Really like his upside and potential as he has the ability to be a dominant big man at the collegiate level and much like Muhammad and McGary looks like a sure fire NBA talent someday.  Has solid instincts around the basket, can score on the blocks, has the ability to step away from the rim and knock down the mid-range jumper, etc.  Turned in a number of high quality efforts during the spring and summer and will only get better moving forward.  Committed to Arizona.

(4)    ANTHONY BENNETT – 6-8 – PF – FINDLAY PREP (NV) (VIEW PROFILE)
The top prospect still on the board, Bennett is an absolute beast at times with his power, skill, and instincts.  Can dominate the glass, score on the blocks, and has the ability to face up and drain the perimeter shot with range beyond the arc.  A difficult cover given his frame and power but when you throw in the instincts, upside, grit, and willingness to do the little things in the paint to dominate it’s easy to see why he could go anywhere he wants in the country.  Undecided.

(5)    BRANDON ASHLEY – 6-8 – PF – FINDLAY PREP (NV) (VIEW PROFILE)
Made the move to Findlay Prep this year and that should bode well for him in terms of his development.  A smooth skilled forward with the ability to face up and score from anywhere on the court, Ashley drips with upside and potential.  Long regarded as one of the premiere talents in the country for his class, Ashley has a nice ceiling which should be reached at the next level under Coach Miller.  Committed to Arizona.  

OTHER NOTABLES

(10)  WILLIE CAULEY – 7-0 – OLATHE NW H.S. (KS)
Regarded by most as a top 15-25 prospect, we have him a bit higher at 10 simply because few, if any, bigs in the 2012 class are equipped with the size, length, and agility of this long interior talent.  Cauley is raw on the skill size by most accounts but still can score on the blocks, knock down mid-range jumpers, block shots, etc.  He has a huge upside that surpasses most in the class if he works hard and he’s headed to Lottery U at Kentucky where his potential seems sure to be reached.  Committed to Kentucky.

(13)  GLENN ROBINSON JR. – 6-6 – G/F – LAKE CENTRAL H.S. (IN)
Has quietly improved with each passing week and month and drips with an enormous amount of potential and upside in the coming years.  While others may have generated the majority of the press statewide, regionally, or even nationally, few of those improved in the same sense that Robinson did in recent years.  He dropped a 30 piece already this season in a matchup with Michigan State bound wing Gary Harris and Robinson is only going to get better.  A smooth wing talent with athleticism and a pure stroke that can take over games, Robinson has the potential to be an absolute star at the next level and we elevated him to the #13 spot as a result.  Committed to Michigan.

(14)  DANUEL HOUSE – 6-6 – G/F – HIGHTOWER H.S. (TX)
Lands at #14 after an electric spring and summer campaign where he rolled with the powerful Texas PRO squad and House is really just scratching the surface of his potential.  Has excellent length, solid athleticism, an ability to score off the bounce, finishes in transition, and can drain the trey ball with consistency from well beyond the arc.  In terms of evaluation, House has only laid the foundation to his game and with continued development physically and skill wise in the coming years he should round into an explosive scoring wing at the next level.  We have him a bit higher than some but when you consider his length, skill, instincts, toughness, and upside it’s really a no-brainer to take a chance with him.  Committed to Houston.

(18)  STEVEN ADAMS – 6-11 – C – NOTRE DAME PREP (MA)
The New Zealand native captured everyone’s attention with some strong performances at the Adidas Nations in Chicago and when you consider his size, instincts, willingness to do the dirty work in the paint, post skills, and ability to hit the mid-range jumper it’s easy to see why Pittsburgh jumped all over him.  Adams has only been playing for a little over 4 years now and he is scratching the surface of his potential.  Grabs the 18 spot on upside and potential.  Committed to Pittsburgh.

CLICK HERE FOR THE NY2LASPORTS.COM TOP 100 – 2012 PLAYER RANKINGS

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