A strong 2012 class continues to take shape across the country and after another grassroots travel season on the road a number of prospects have continued to build their reputations and seen their stock grow in the process.  Today we unveil the new NY2LASPORTS.COM Top 100 2012 National Player Rankings and after a scintillating summer showing that was filled with video game type performances, the measuring stick for the 2012 class goes by the name of Shabazz.  Here’s a look at the new top 10 basketball prospects for the 2012 class…

(CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NY2LASPORTS.COM 2012 TOP 100)

#1 – Shabazz Muhammad – 6’5” – G/F – Bishop Gorman (NV) – Dream Vision Grassroots
As 2012 prospects go, no one in the country scored as much, did as much, and was as consistent game in and game out as Shabazz.  He flipped over 30, 40 and even 50+ point efforts game after game and tournament after tournament with only a couple "slow" performance where he dropped 20 pieces on opposing teams.  Electric performance after electric performance was turned in by this lethal left-handed scoring machine who’s really just starting to realize his dominant impact scoring the basketball.  He has a smooth stroke that knocks down trey balls and mid range looks, he can score in the post, he finishes in transition, and he showed an improved ability to score off the bounce.  While upside and potential is always a major part of the puzzle, consistency and production is the key to the game and Muhammad is head and shoulders above the class in that regard right now.  

#2 – Perry Ellis – 6’8” – F – Wichita Heights (KS) – Kansas Pray & Play Grassroots
Slides down to #2 not because he’s not an exceptional talent in his own right but more so because Muhammad was just ridiculous with his performances on the circuit this summer.  An instinctive skilled forward by trade, Ellis spent the travel season improving his perimeter skills making for a lethal combo forward with the ability to score inside and outside.  As 2012 prospects go, Ellis already has two state titles to his name, he’s been invited and successful at virtually every high level prospect event there is in the country, and he has by far the most impressive prep resume in the 2012 class.  For Ellis, it's his consistency and effort game in and game out that people want to see improve right now.  However, while some spent the spring and summer refining their skill package, Ellis spent his improving his versatility and adding more pieces to his game.  With added weapons to his arsenal that allows him to score inside and outside, Ellis is now in position skill wise to dominate opposing teams in the coming months and quiet a lot of his “critics” in the process.

#3 – Andre Drummond – 6’10” – C – St. Thomas More (CT) – CBC Grassroots
The top physical specimen in the class, Drummond is without question the most dominant big man on the board in terms of potential and without continued growth and development he in all likelihood will end up at the top spot before it’s all said and done.  Nevertheless while flashes of his potential have been exciting to watch, consistency, effort, and performance game in and game out need to improve to reach his enormous potential long term.  That being said, he’s still arguably the top prop prospect in the class as it stands right now on pure size and potential alone.

#4 – DaJuan Coleman – 6’9” – F/C – Jamesville Dewitt (NY) – Albany City Rocks Grassroots
Long regarded by many as one of the premiere talents in the class, Coleman is a nice blend of power and skill that brings dominant double double potential to the court every time he dons a uniform.  Excellent size and power, Coleman can punish opposing teams on the blocks and has the ability to dominate the glass on both ends of the court.  Can’t ask for too much more than that and Coleman slides in at #4 as a result.

#5 – Brandon Ashley – 6’8” – PF – Bishop O’Dowd (CA) - Drew Gooden Soldiers Grassroots
A versatile scoring talent with excellent size, nice length, and quality athleticism, Ashley is really just scratching the surface of his potential and after another strong grassroots travel campaign he roars in to the #5 spot as a result.  He can score in the post, has excellent instincts, runs the floor well, and drips with upside and potential that has high major programs from coast to coast salivating at the opportunity to have him play for their program.  One of the premiere 2012 prospects in the country with room to grow.

#6 – Isaiah Austin – 7’0” – F/C – Grace Prep (TX) – Compton Magic Grassroots
Danced around with top 10 performances over the years but over the past few months Austin has really begun to assert himself nationally be it with high level performances at camps or quality efforts during tournament play.  A long wiry talent with skill who can score around the basket and hit the perimeter jumper, Austin looks like he’s starting to make his push toward the top with his recent efforts and the sky is the limit if he continues to develop and mature as a player.  Verbally committed to Baylor.

#7 – Alexander Murphy – 6’9” – F – St. Marks (MA) – New England Playaz Grassroots
Don’t know if any single player saw his stock rise as much in the class as Murphy did this past year.  A skilled talent who can score on the wing and around the basket, Murphy has excellent athleticism and an excellent motor that dominates games and helps teams win in the process.  Attacks the rim without fear, can hit the trey ball, has excellent instincts, and brings to mind a young Tom Chambers in terms of his potential and style of play.  A tough kid who plays hard and brings big time leadership to the court in his play rather than words.

#8 – Ricardo Ledo – 6’5” – SG – South Kent (RI) – Expressions Elite Grassroots
Athletic scoring machine who can fill it up from anywhere on the court.  Exploded with a monster effort at the Nike Hoop Jamboree camp this past June and has firmly positioned himself as a consensus top 10-15 talent with virtually every major recruiting expert in the country.  Scores in bunches, has excellent size, range extends beyond the arc, etc.  Bottom line is Ledo is electric when it comes to scoring the basketball and that alone makes him an elite talent nationally.

#9 – Wannah Bail – 6’8” – PF – Trent International (TX) – Franchize All-Starz Grassroots
At his best Bail is one of the best in the class as he’s blessed with athleticism, size, versatility, and ability to dominate games.  He explodes in transition, can hit the perimeter shot from beyond the arc, has instincts, and can dominate the glass.  That’s the good.  When he’s not at his best Bail leaves a lot to be desired across the board.  Therein lies the rub with young talent.  Effort, consistency, production are the keys to Bail’s kingdom so to speak.  As he matures as a player across the board, Bail could be one of the very best on the board if he can improve in those three areas.  That being said, he still slides in at the #9 spot and that alone tells you just how much potential he has.

#10 – Savon Lloyd-Goodman – 6’6” – SF – ANC (PA) – Team Philly Grassroots
Have raved about this young man since first seeing him three years ago and he has done nothing this past spring and summer but continue to reinforce the notion that he is easily one of the most explosive and exciting prospects in the glass.  Excellent length and explosive athleticism makes for one of the premiere wing talents in the class.  He soars in transition, is a highlight reel waiting to happen in the open court, and has the ability to take over the game with his athleticism and effort every time he takes the court.  Has shown an improved ability to hit the mid range shot and the trey ball but his bread and butter is still off the bounce and flying over defenses in transition.  Excellent instincts, reads the passing lanes well, and is electric at times in terms of his performance when clicking on all cylinders.  A high major impact talent who is arguably the top pure open court talent in the class.