Best Availables: 9 remain in 2017 top 100
EVAN DANIELS
8:43 AM
Despite their senior seasons coming to a close, there are nine top 100 prospects still available. Who is left and where might they be leaning?
Mohamed Bamba
Westtown SchoolWesttown, PA
6'11" / 215 lbs
Analysis
Bamba is a very long and mobile big man who already demonstrates impressive skill. Though far from complete, he can knock down a facing jump shot and certainly blocks and dunks his way to strong numbers. At the Nike Elite 100 camp, Bamba measured in at 6'11" with a 7'8" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach. He's an elite prospect in the Class of 2017.
Mohamed Bamba, Scout's No. 2 overall recruit, has now taken all four of his official visits. His last was a trip to Duke during the last week of February. He took his official to Michigan on September 3rd, Texas on October 29th and Kentucky on January 21st. Bamba hasn't and still doesn't appear to be in any type of hurry to make his college commitment. He's currently in China for a senior trip, so don't expect it t be soon. He appears to be tracking as an April decision. Although I think all four of the schools are certainly still in play, there's a Kentucky feel to this recruitment that is starting to emerge.
Contenders: Duke, Kentucky, Michigan and Texas
Trevon Duval
IMG AcademyBradenton, FL
6'3" / 190 lbs
Analysis
A slick, quick backcourt performer who has grown to 6-3, Duval already is tested on both the EYBL and Under Armour circuits and has won summer championships in both leagues. He's an excellent scorer and playmaker with impressive athleticism. Duval is a terrific finisher and arguably the best lay up maker in high school basketball. He does a great job of adjusting his shots at the rim and plays well through contact. Duval has also improved as a playmaker and a passer. We love his confidence and unflappable demeanor along with his tough defense. The next step in his development is becoming more consistent as a shooter. His shot mechanics certainly aren't broke and he's capable of making shots, but becoming more consistent as a shooter is a key. Duval is currently the top point guard in the class of 2017.
Five-star point guard Trevon Duval is finishing up the visit portion of his recruitment. Duval took his first official visit to Kansas on January 31st, he then went to Duke on February 8th. Then on February 25th he visited Arizona and went straight from Tucson to Baylor. Duval is expected to close things out this week with an official visit to Seton Hall. Trying to handicap and gather intel on Duval's recruitment is difficult, so if you're looking for a favorite just throw Arizona, Duke and Kansas in a hat and pick one.
Contenders: Arizona, Baylor, Duke, Kansas, Seton Hall
Kevin Knox
Tampa Catholic HSTampa, FL
6'8" / 205 lbs
Analysis
Kevin Knox emerged in the summer prior to his junior year at the USA Basketball U16 trials and not only made the team, but was a factor. By the following spring, Knox was recognized as an elite level talent and he's continued to improve. A 6-foot-8 long, lean forward, Knox is a gifted athlete that has impressive leaping ability and is quick off his feet. Knox is versatile and able to play as a wing or in a face up four role. With his size, length, athleticism and instincts, Knox is a good rebounder and he consistently looks to take defensive rebounds and start the break. Offensively he has a versatile and much improved attack. He's impressive in transition, does a good job of finishing off plays at the rim off drives and cuts to the basket and he's also a much improved shooter from mid-range out to three. Although he's not a consistent shooter from distance, his shot mechanics are very good and he's on track to be a good shooter from three-point range in time.
Five-star forward Kevin Knox has been busy this week. Saturday morning, Knox, Scout's No. 7 overall prospect, played in the state championship. Following the loss in the title game, Knox flew to North Carolina for their game against Duke. After spending Saturday night at UNC, Knox spent a couple of hours with the Duke staff on Sunday. While those visits were both unofficial visits, he's previously taken official visits to all four of his finalists.
Contenders: Duke, Florida State, Kentucky and North Carolina
Brandon McCoy
Cathedral Catholic HSSan Diego, CA
7'0" / 235 lbs
Analysis
Brandon McCoy is one of 2017's top defensive prospects. He has good size for position at about 7-feet and plays hard, tough, aggressive basketball, especially on the defensive end. He prides himself as a rim protector and overall strong man defender. He's coming along offensively and as his mobility has improved, he's made progress with his post moves and touch around the basket. He's moving in the direction of elite prospect.
Brandon McCoy, the No. 8 player in the 2017 recruiting class, has been a bit of a mystery throughout his recruitment. He took unofficial visits to Oregon and San Diego State in early February. McCoy has taken official visits to Arizona (10/8), Michigan State (11/19), Oregon (11/12) and UNLV (10/29). The truth is, even the coaches involved don't have a strong feel for what McCoy will do. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him stay close to home and go to San Diego State, but Oregon is the school that is getting the most play as potential leader.
Contenders: Arizona, Michigan State, Oregon, San Diego State and UNLV
Brian Bowen
La Lumiere SchoolLa Porte, IN
6'7" / 175 lbs
Analysis
2017 wing Brian Brown is loaded with potential and upside. At 6-foot-7, Bowen has tremendous size and length for a wing prospect. At this stage he lacks strength, but that should come with time in a college weight room. Bowen has a versatile scoring attack that allows him to score it by driving the ball from wing, make jump shots and even score it some from the block. At this point, his long range shot isn't consistent, as he was 11-for-53 from three during his final summer on the Nike EYBL circuit. With that said, he's a better shooter than that number indicates and is at least an average threat from distance. Bowen is comfortable scoring it from mid-range and will also take small defenders to the post and score with turnaround or nifty moves.
Most thought that Brian Bowen's recruitment would be over by now, but the gifted five-star wing scorer has put his decision off a few times. Sources close to his recruitment are now saying he's looking at an April decision. Behind the scenes, I've thought Arizona has been in the drivers seat for some time, but he keeps pushing back his decision, which likely means he's unsure of what he wants to do.
Contenders: Arizona, Creighton, Michigan State and Texas
EVAN DANIELS
8:43 AM
Despite their senior seasons coming to a close, there are nine top 100 prospects still available. Who is left and where might they be leaning?
Mohamed Bamba
Westtown SchoolWesttown, PA
6'11" / 215 lbs
Analysis
Bamba is a very long and mobile big man who already demonstrates impressive skill. Though far from complete, he can knock down a facing jump shot and certainly blocks and dunks his way to strong numbers. At the Nike Elite 100 camp, Bamba measured in at 6'11" with a 7'8" wingspan and a 9'5" standing reach. He's an elite prospect in the Class of 2017.
Mohamed Bamba, Scout's No. 2 overall recruit, has now taken all four of his official visits. His last was a trip to Duke during the last week of February. He took his official to Michigan on September 3rd, Texas on October 29th and Kentucky on January 21st. Bamba hasn't and still doesn't appear to be in any type of hurry to make his college commitment. He's currently in China for a senior trip, so don't expect it t be soon. He appears to be tracking as an April decision. Although I think all four of the schools are certainly still in play, there's a Kentucky feel to this recruitment that is starting to emerge.
Contenders: Duke, Kentucky, Michigan and Texas
Trevon Duval
IMG AcademyBradenton, FL
6'3" / 190 lbs
Analysis
A slick, quick backcourt performer who has grown to 6-3, Duval already is tested on both the EYBL and Under Armour circuits and has won summer championships in both leagues. He's an excellent scorer and playmaker with impressive athleticism. Duval is a terrific finisher and arguably the best lay up maker in high school basketball. He does a great job of adjusting his shots at the rim and plays well through contact. Duval has also improved as a playmaker and a passer. We love his confidence and unflappable demeanor along with his tough defense. The next step in his development is becoming more consistent as a shooter. His shot mechanics certainly aren't broke and he's capable of making shots, but becoming more consistent as a shooter is a key. Duval is currently the top point guard in the class of 2017.
Five-star point guard Trevon Duval is finishing up the visit portion of his recruitment. Duval took his first official visit to Kansas on January 31st, he then went to Duke on February 8th. Then on February 25th he visited Arizona and went straight from Tucson to Baylor. Duval is expected to close things out this week with an official visit to Seton Hall. Trying to handicap and gather intel on Duval's recruitment is difficult, so if you're looking for a favorite just throw Arizona, Duke and Kansas in a hat and pick one.
Contenders: Arizona, Baylor, Duke, Kansas, Seton Hall
Kevin Knox
Tampa Catholic HSTampa, FL
6'8" / 205 lbs
Analysis
Kevin Knox emerged in the summer prior to his junior year at the USA Basketball U16 trials and not only made the team, but was a factor. By the following spring, Knox was recognized as an elite level talent and he's continued to improve. A 6-foot-8 long, lean forward, Knox is a gifted athlete that has impressive leaping ability and is quick off his feet. Knox is versatile and able to play as a wing or in a face up four role. With his size, length, athleticism and instincts, Knox is a good rebounder and he consistently looks to take defensive rebounds and start the break. Offensively he has a versatile and much improved attack. He's impressive in transition, does a good job of finishing off plays at the rim off drives and cuts to the basket and he's also a much improved shooter from mid-range out to three. Although he's not a consistent shooter from distance, his shot mechanics are very good and he's on track to be a good shooter from three-point range in time.
Five-star forward Kevin Knox has been busy this week. Saturday morning, Knox, Scout's No. 7 overall prospect, played in the state championship. Following the loss in the title game, Knox flew to North Carolina for their game against Duke. After spending Saturday night at UNC, Knox spent a couple of hours with the Duke staff on Sunday. While those visits were both unofficial visits, he's previously taken official visits to all four of his finalists.
Contenders: Duke, Florida State, Kentucky and North Carolina
Brandon McCoy
Cathedral Catholic HSSan Diego, CA
7'0" / 235 lbs
Analysis
Brandon McCoy is one of 2017's top defensive prospects. He has good size for position at about 7-feet and plays hard, tough, aggressive basketball, especially on the defensive end. He prides himself as a rim protector and overall strong man defender. He's coming along offensively and as his mobility has improved, he's made progress with his post moves and touch around the basket. He's moving in the direction of elite prospect.
Brandon McCoy, the No. 8 player in the 2017 recruiting class, has been a bit of a mystery throughout his recruitment. He took unofficial visits to Oregon and San Diego State in early February. McCoy has taken official visits to Arizona (10/8), Michigan State (11/19), Oregon (11/12) and UNLV (10/29). The truth is, even the coaches involved don't have a strong feel for what McCoy will do. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him stay close to home and go to San Diego State, but Oregon is the school that is getting the most play as potential leader.
Contenders: Arizona, Michigan State, Oregon, San Diego State and UNLV
Brian Bowen
La Lumiere SchoolLa Porte, IN
6'7" / 175 lbs
Analysis
2017 wing Brian Brown is loaded with potential and upside. At 6-foot-7, Bowen has tremendous size and length for a wing prospect. At this stage he lacks strength, but that should come with time in a college weight room. Bowen has a versatile scoring attack that allows him to score it by driving the ball from wing, make jump shots and even score it some from the block. At this point, his long range shot isn't consistent, as he was 11-for-53 from three during his final summer on the Nike EYBL circuit. With that said, he's a better shooter than that number indicates and is at least an average threat from distance. Bowen is comfortable scoring it from mid-range and will also take small defenders to the post and score with turnaround or nifty moves.
Most thought that Brian Bowen's recruitment would be over by now, but the gifted five-star wing scorer has put his decision off a few times. Sources close to his recruitment are now saying he's looking at an April decision. Behind the scenes, I've thought Arizona has been in the drivers seat for some time, but he keeps pushing back his decision, which likely means he's unsure of what he wants to do.
Contenders: Arizona, Creighton, Michigan State and Texas
