The SLAM Fresh 25 - 2009
New year, new rankings.
The SLAM Fresh 25 - 2009
| Rank | Name | Ht | Pos | Last | School | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lance Stephenson | 6-5 | SG/PG | 1 | Lincoln (NY) | Even with a target on his back, his sick combination of effort and skills stand out. |
| 2 | Renardo Sidney | 6-10 | PF/SF | 2 | Fairfax (CA) | Now that he feels like playing, his potential to be dominant is finally showing. |
| 3 | DeMarcus Cousins | 6-10 | PF/C | 3 | LeFlore (AL) | An absolute monster in the middle, with a mean streak and some perimeter skills to boot. |
| 4 | Dominic Cheek | 6-7 | SG/SF | 8 | St. Anthony (NJ) | Wait until next year, when those talented seniors are gone and it's finally his show. |
| 5 | Derrick Favors | 6-9 | PF/C | 5 | South Atlanta (GA) | A beast on the interior, some added offensive polish would truly take his game to the next level. |
| 6 | Xavier Henry | 6-6 | SG/SF | 7 | Putnam City (OK) | Top-notch scorer with a college-ready body and game, but could be better all-around. |
| 7 | Kenny Boynton | 6-2 | SG/PG | 4 | American Heritage (FL) | No one questions his scoring ability, but showing he can run the point would do wonders. |
| 8 | Maalik Wayns | 6-1 | PG | 9 | Roman Catholic (PA) | The best true point guard in the nation, a 'Nova commit, has added an automatic J to his arsenal. |
| 9 | Jordan Hamilton | 6-7 | SF | 6 | Dominguez (CA) | Consistency and a more well-rounded game would make this natural scorer truly elite. |
| 10 | John Wall | 6-3 | PG/SG | 13 | Word of God (NC) | With a fast-improving J, the sky is the limit for this sprinter disguised as a ballplayer. |
| 11 | Leslie McDonald | 6-4 | SG/PG | 14 | Briarcrest (TN) | Solid as a scorer and distributor, his maturity and effort on both ends set him apart. |
| 12 | Isaiah Armwood | 6-8 | PF/SF | 18 | Montrose Christian (MD) | Finding his niche as a baseline and high-post scorer, a couple more pounds could make this slim athlete scary. |
| 13 | Aaric Murray | 6-10 | PF/C | NR | Glen Mills (PA) | A relative newcomer to the game, this defensive force with vast-improving skills might be the nation's best-kept secret. |
| 14 | Clarence Trent | 6-8 | PF/SF | 16 | Findlay (NV) | New focus on snatching boards and inside dominance complement top-notch athleticism well. |
| 15 | Dexter Strickland | 6-3 | SG/PG | 11 | St. Patrick's (NJ) | Transition skills, athleticism, defensive prowess and versatility in the backcourt highlight UNC commit's game. |
| 16 | Gregory Echenique | 6-9 | C | 19 | St. Benedict's (NJ) | Massive post player continues to improve touch, skills and feel for the game, while maintaining aggressiveness. |
| 17 | Reeves Nelson | 6-7 | PF | NR | Modesto Christian (CA) | Early UCLA commit has recovered from summer injuries and brought back bulldog mentality with him. |
| 18 | Terrell Vinson | 6-6 | SF/PF | 15 | Montrose Christian (MD) | Not an amazing athlete and doesn't possess great size, bu nobody is tougher or more productive. |
| 19 | Alex Oriakhi | 6-9 | C/PF | 10 | Tilton (NH) | Offensive production are alowly catching up to often-dominant performances on glass and D. |
| 20 | Karron Johnson | 6-7 | PF/SF | 12 | Mount Zion (NC) | Tremendous athlete trying to make the transition to the wing, but may be best suited for battling in the paint. |
| 21 | Noel Johnson | 6-7 | SF | NR | Fayette County (GA) | Classic wing scorer can shoot it from deep, post up guards, slash from the wing and get buckets on the break. |
| 22 | Peyton Siva | 6-0 | PG/SG | NR | Franklin (WA) | Playmaking skills and scoring acumen are quickly catchin up with ridiculous quickness and athleticism. |
| 23 | Michael Snaer | 6-5 | SG | 25 | Rancho Verde (CA) | Willingness to play D and rebound make this athletic shooter stand out on both ends. |
| 24 | Mason Plumlee | 6-10 | SF/PF | 21 | Christ (NC) | Still very slender, but basketball IQ and varied skillset make him a highly-coveted recruit. |
| 25 | Shawn Williams | 6-6 | SF | 24 | Duncanville (TX) | Born to score, his winning mentality and desire to do the little things ensure he'll always make an impact. |
25 Responses to “The SLAM Fresh 25 - 2009”
Jan.18 at 3:14 am
hursty says:
1st. ok cool, but how come femi akinpetide is not listed on any of these? i get that im not sure about the way things work in american high school, but from what i hear hes been blowing up big time. hes an aussie on scholarship to a private school in florida, orlando. his two younger sisters are there as well. his youngest sister is running the point as a starting freshman.
Jan.19 at 6:49 pm
Cedric Jones says:
MAN YOU GOT TO HER ABOUT THIS BOY CLASS OF “09″ NAMED WILLIAM BUNTON…. THE BOY IS AN ATHLETE AND CAN SHOOT FORM ANY RANGE
Jan.24 at 1:30 pm
christian duboise says:
check out Qwadarius Duboise. Monroe Redhawks. Monroe N.C.
Jan.29 at 12:46 am
malak33zy says:
where is Malachi Howell on this list he is a high school player in Fresni, CA and is raw he plays for Bullard High School he should be # 1
Jan.29 at 2:39 pm
jerome mcnasty says:
are we serious right now with aaric murray, he is so unpolished and his team glen mills go romped by 40 to the chester clippers. i like where you have maalik though he’s the truth.
Jan.31 at 3:10 pm
WHAT'S REALLY GOOD? says:
HOW IS IT THAT THERE’S NO CHICAGO PLAYERS ON THIS LIST. I BEEN DOING A LITTLE SCOUTING ON MY OWN AROUND CHICAGO, AND I FOUND OUT THAT IT’S SOME REALLY GOOD PLAYER IN THIS CLASS. LIKE DARIUS SMITH FOR MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL, AND CHRIS COLVIN FOR WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL, AND MARCUS JORDAN FOR WHITNEY YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL.
Feb.2 at 5:45 pm
BoyzfromdaSouth says:
Marcus? MJ’s other son? He has to be better tha Jeffrey, but i Like that Jeff went to a Big time program as a walk-on instead of ending up in Loyola-Chicago or sumthin’.
Maalik Wayns is tha best pure point in tha nation? What, i never saw him on any list until now
Feb.4 at 9:48 pm
tykeisha willis says:
YEAH I HEARD AB0UT WILLIAM BUNTON HE DUNKED 0VER THIS 6′7 AND HAD 30 PTS. 7 AST. AND SOMETHING ELSE BUT THAT KID WAS AMAZING
Feb.5 at 10:35 am
SLAM ONLINE | » “Ready” or Not… says:
[…] This site isn’t known for its high school coverage (we’re trying, though), but knowing about Lance transcends a casual interest in high school basketball. For one thing, there is a “documentary” about him that may one day be TV or a film that is currently viewable online at bornready.tv. I haven’t watched too much of it yet, but it is well done and may feature SLAM, PUNKS or yours truly at some point or another. For another thing, he is the top-ranked junior in the country, according to our own Aggrey Sam. Lastly, even if you only get your basketball knowledge from SLAM, you may be familiar with Lance because I/we ran a feature on him in our 100th issue. Seemed like a logical time to re-run said story. Don’t ever say we didn’t tell you about this kid. […]
Feb.14 at 10:32 am
BoyzfromdaSouth says:
John “What It Do” Wall should go to UNC
Feb.21 at 12:18 pm
a. sam says:
hursty: Femi is a senior. I like him, but I wouldn’t put him in the elite category.
jerome: I’ll take Aaric over almost any other big in the country for the ‘09 class. Raw and unpolished, yes. Productive and amazing potential, yes. Getting better every day, yes. Only been playing organized ball for a year, yes.
WHAT’s REALLY GOOD?: I love the Chi and I’ve had Darius Smith in past rankings, but I haven’t seen any kids out there in this class who are elite. I’m not too high on any of those Whitney Young kids.
Mar.25 at 10:45 am
Pitt Blather — The Rantings Continue Permalink » HS All-Star Highlights says:
[…] SLAM had him on their radar last January, listing him at #13. […]
Apr.4 at 10:20 pm
blake23 says:
not to mention whitney young hasnt produced a stud since Q Rich waaay back when
Apr.9 at 1:57 pm
chris williams says:
why my boy elijah johnson aint make the list?
Apr.9 at 1:58 pm
chris williams says:
why elijah johnson aint make the cut?
Apr.15 at 2:24 pm
Tyree James says:
Many recruits need to come to small town places like Mays Landing. Mays Landing holds some great players but they don’t get noticed because of the big name people like Cheeks always getting noticed. I know alot of people that plays better than him. His a great player but talent is all around never just in one place. I think you should add a couple pages in your magazine about undiscovered talent because many people hope for that chance to get a little shine but never gets around to it because no one look at them because no one travel to see people. it should be scouts everywhere looking for talent and in small places they don’t bother because they think this people will never get big enough to make it somewhere. Basketball is a game that is loved by everyone but people need that chance. One chance makes a difference.
Apr.26 at 11:08 am
G.Mills says:
MALIK WAYANS IS THE BEST HIGH SCHOLLER IN THE COUNTRY,BELIEVE THAT!
MR.BALLERS CONVENTION SIGNING OFF!
Apr.29 at 5:41 pm
matt from ballislife says:
Dexter Strickland needs to be higher!!! He was killing in the Nike Extravaganza against Sidney’s Fairfax high school. Strickland’s quickness is a notch higher than lance’s. He’s got a real smooth stroke to go with it as well. Did you guys ever get that dvd we sent you?
May.2 at 9:52 pm
NY Jayhawker says:
Can’t wait till Kansas gets Lance and Xavier and destroys every team by 30.
May.6 at 8:43 pm
trekball says:
Wheres Jamil Wilson from Racine Horlick, WI
May.8 at 4:13 pm
the man says:
im the best
May.15 at 3:02 pm
west coast says:
Solomon Hill of fairfax high school should be on this list and higher than some of the players posted here. The young man has game.
May.19 at 2:11 pm
texasheat14 says:
What about D.j. Richardson out of peoria illinois and Dyricus Edwards from washington Illinois. Theres a 6′7 guard named Nolan Dennis he is also a beast and i seen this kid playing a aau game named David Smith this guy is really good and REALLY UNDERATED. He goes to colleyville heritage high school in texas
Jun.6 at 11:42 am
Arvetra says:
I went to the headliner camp this past weekend in D.C. just to c the talent that was out there from different parts of the states..There was this kid there, about 6′2, 160 from north carolina. I believe his name was william bunton. This kd was amazing. His athleticism is uncanny, and he can shoot from outside of the gym. blocking shoots, stealing, passing, dunking, shooting, I mean this dude had everything. I asked where he was from, and he’s from N.C. by the way of Durham. He attends Jordan High School and he’s a rising senior. I never really asked him who was all looking at hi but im pretty sure SOMEONE is if the had basketball scouting ability…Im telling Slam to go ceck this young man out. and if you dont like what you see..you have my e-mail address. Curse me out if you want to for wasting your time…hahahahahahahaha. Thank you
Jun.11 at 1:54 pm
Arvetra says:
HE WILL BE ATTENDING PROVING GROUNDS IN BOSTON MA. JULY 9-10