Early Look: Next Year's 17U Top 25
Next Year's 17U Top 25
Next year's AAU season is a far ways away but that didn't stop us from predicting who would be taking space in our Top 25 next year. Obviously, there will be some player transfers and some new ballers will emerge on the scene to make an impact. Nonetheless, based on last year's 16U team success and players that played up last year, we took a stab at predicting who is going to be a force on the circuit. Let us know what you think.
1. BABC
Key Returnees: Nerlens Noel, Jaylen Brantley, Rene Castro
Key Addition: N/A
The Boston bunch will bring back a group that finished No. 1 in the 16U division and was No. 1 for two weeks in the 17U. The question will be who will replace Georges Niang as the go-to option on offense. Wayne Selden will be asked to do a lot more next year as well.
2. CIA Bounce
Key Returnees: Tyler Ennis, RJ Currington
Key Addition: Andrew Wiggins
Teaming Andrew Wiggins with last year’s No. 2 16U team can be dangerous for the AAU scene. Add in that Ennis will be playing at St. Benedict’s with a group of his CIA Bounce teammates this year, and their chemistry will be all ready to go for the travel season.
Key Returnees: Zak Irvin, V.J. Beachem, Devin Davis, Colin Hartman, Basil Smotherman
Key Addition: N/A
The EG All-Stars have a great assembly of wing play — probably the best in the nation going into next year. The sharpshooting of Irvin, Beachem and Hartman will make zone defense seem useless against the Indy crew. 6-5 Darius Latham was able to man the post as a 16U player but will he be enough for the big boys at the 17U level?
Key Returnees: Jahlil Okafor, Kyle Davis
Key Additions: Jabari Parker, Billy Garrett Jr.
Expect big things from our Five-Star blogger Okafor, who recently picked up a scholarship offer from Georgetown. Then add in one of the best players in the nation in Parker and the steady and sweet-shooting Billy Garret Jr. This team should cause headaches on the scene. Pesky guard Davis will make the game hectic for the opposition.
Key Returnees: Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Derrick Griffin
Key Additions: N/A
This year's No. 1 17U squad will lose Five-Star rated big man Shaquille Cleare but return the rest of their standout for another run. With the Harrison twins making a name for themselves, more will be asked upon dual sport star Griffin as they approach the newer season.
Key Returnees: Tyrek Coger, Greg McClinton, Ja’Quel Richmond
Key Addition: Theo Pinson
The freshman Pinson was effective playing with the 17U team that just fell outside of our final Top 25. Now add him to a team that finished No. 6 in 16U division and we could have a problem. Him and McClinton on the wing should be hazardous. 2014 PG Richmond will be able to distribute to that duo and will also have Coger down low.
Key Returnees: Aaron Gordon, Tyree Robinson, Tyrel Robinson, Isaac Hamilton, Jabari Bird
Key Addition: N/A
The group will miss the inside-outside combo of Brandon Ashley and Dominic Artis but still return an impressive set of talent. Gordon has PF-size and the team will have improved guard play. The question is who is going to join Gordon in the paint?
8. Texas Titans
Key Returnees: Julius Randle, Matt Jones
Key Addition: N/A
The squad played up for majority of the season last year and that should benefit them going into the 2012 season. If they bring along 2015 standout Mickey Mitchell, coaches and fans will flock to their games season-round.
9. Garner Road
Key Returnees: Isaiah Hicks, Anton Gill
Key Additions: N/A
Hicks, the Tar Heels’ newest commit, should be a cause for concern going into next season. Throw in the clutch guard play from Gill, and the squad from N.C. should be one to watch out for.
10. Memphis YOMCA
Key Returnees: Nick King, Jonathon Williams III, Austin Nichols
Key Additions: N/A
The trio of Memphis stars should keep YOMCA a force on the circuit. King is a strong guard, Williams a do-it-all forward and Nichols a big man who can score with his back to the basket. If 2014 athletic 4-man Leron Black joins the 17U squad next year … they will be tough to beat.
11. New Heights
Key Returnees: Jordan Washington, Jaylen Jenkins, Terrence Samuel, Shamiek Shepard
Key Additions: N/A
This bunch is the top team coming out of NYC and should continue to be a force nationally next year. The inside combo of Washington and Jenkins should prove to be a force. This bunch has been together for a while and the chemistry should be even better next time around.
12. Team Final
Key Returnees: Austin Colbert, Rondae Jefferson, Davon Reed
Key Additions: N/A
The roster this year was mostly 2013s playing up in EYBL, but one of the most talented 16U teams in the country should be more well-suited for the competition next year. They are led by Five-Star rated Colbert, who is considering schools from around the Big East, but also keep an eye on small forward Jefferson.
Key Returnees: Alajuwan Fisher, Daxter Miles, Kameron Williams
Key Additions: Daquan McNeil
The guard-heavy squad will bring back McNeil next season after he left the team to help the older crew qualify for Peach Jam. A year for the Owana Twins to develop as pivots can be the difference between this team being good and really good.
14, Team Takeover
Key Returnees: Stanford Robinson, Josh Hart
Key Addition: BeeJay Anya
Anya was a defensive force for the 17U team this year. Give him a year to mature and then add in the impressive wing play of Robinson and Hart and they should be on pace for another standout season.
15. Dream Vision
Key Returnees: Stephen Domingo, Stephen Zimmerman
Key Addition: Keith Frazier
This squad can be a problem next year if they retain scoring threat Frazier. Add in the stellar play from Domingo on the wing and the presence of 6-10 rising freshman Zimmerman and they will be a team to watch.
Key Returnees: Josh Brown, Spencer Weisz
Key Additions: Hallice Cook, Kasim Chandler
Brown is back with Sports U as Eddie Bright’s 17U squad will enjoy the additions of Cook and Chandler, who were instrumental in leading the 16s to the Fab 48 championship. The 16s made a habit of knocking off Top 25 teams this year but it will be a bit tougher with the 17s in 2012.
17. Playaz Basketball Club (N.J.)
Key Returnees: Mike Young, Reggie Cameron, Kavon Stewart
Key Addition: Isaiah Briscoe?
The boys from Jersey should have a bigger inside presence than this year’s 17U squad with Young and A.J. Sumbry manning the middle. Cameron will keep the floor spread for the steady guard Stewart. The game-changer can come in the form of Briscoe who is one of the top eighth graders in the country, but time will tell if he will suit up with the 17s.
18. Boo Williams
Key Returnees: Raymon Minor, Brian White, Andrew Rowsey
Key Addition: Troy Williams, Anthony Barber
The 16U team was prevelant in our top 25 this past season. Throw in the quick-rising swingman Troy Williams and the speedy Anthony Barber and the AAU circuit should be on alert.
19. Ohio Varsity
Key Returnees: Jack Gibbs
Key Addition:
The 16U squad was able to stand as one of the top teams in the Midwest this past season. Will Marquiez Lawrence be enough the man the middle will be the question.
20. All-Ohio Red
Key Returnees: Nigel Hayes, Marc Loving
Key Additions: N/A
2011 16U Player of the Year watchlist member Hayes returns next year to lead a team that won the 17U AAU Nationals this season.
21. Meanstreets
Key Returnees: Kendrick Nunn, Jaylon Tate, Alex Foster
Key Additions: N/A
After a tough end to 2011 for the 16Us, Nunn will lead the Chi-town squad next season.
Key Returnees: Kuran Iverson, Jason Boswell
Key Additions: N/A
Though the roster will be different, inexperience shouldn’t be much of a factor for the Long Island Lightning. Their 16s played up with the 17s the last few weeks of the season, including at Fab 48. Having the Five-Star rated Iverson won’t hurt either.
23. KC Pump N’ Run
Key Returnees: Conner Frankamp, Travis Jorgenson, Dom Collier
Key Additions: N/A
The three-guard combo will cause headaches for teams with its ability to smoothly run the offense and knock down threes. This was evident in their win at adidas Super 64. The key for them to reach the next level is if one of their bigs (namely Tory Miller) can develop a reliable back-to-the-basket game.
24. NC Xpress Elite
Key Returnees: Kadeem Allen, Nigel Holley
Key Additions: N/A
They are the third team from North Carolina to land in this early look at 2012. Allen should continue to be a force on the perimeter and if Holley can add some bulk to his frame, they can possibly rise.
25. Atlanta Celtics
Key Returnees: Solomon Poole, Brannen Greene, Jaylen Reid
Key Additions: N/A
They were preseason No. 1 this year and failed to live up to expectations, but look for Poole to help the Celtics redeem themselves in 2012. The addition of Greene makes them a squad to look out for.
Best of the Rest:
Arkansas Hawks
Connecticut Basketball Club
East Coast Elite
Fleur De Lis
Florida Rams
Indy Elite South
Juice All-Stars
KC 76ers
Las Vegas Prospects
New Orleans Elite
New York Gauchos
Oakland Kings
Seattle Rotary
So-Cal All Stars
STL Eagles
Team Philly
Team United
Terry Porter Elite
The Ville
Wisconsin Playground Warriors
Atlanta Knicks, Arkansas Hawks, Connecticut Basketball Club, East Coast Elite, Fleur De Lis, Florida Rams, Indy Elite South, Juice All-Stars, KC 76ers, Las Vegas Prospects, New Orleans Elite, New York Gauchos, Oakland Kings, Seattle Rotary, So-Cal All Stars, STL Eagles , Team Philly, Team United, Terry Porter Elite, The Ville, Wisconsin Playground Warriors,
