Ranking the recruiting classes for the Pac-10 isn't an easy task -- there are a number of close calls throughout the conference.
Here's our take on how the classes stack up, based purely on how the talent measures up. In other words, we paid no consideration to how well the talent fits on an existing team or whether needs were filled for the various rosters.
1. Cal
Ayinde Ubaka, 6-2 PG Oakland (Calif.) High
Leon Powe, 6-7 PF Oakland (Calif.) Oakland Tech
Dominic McGuire, 6-6 SF San Diego (Calif.) Lincoln
Marquise Kately, 6-5 SF Pittsfield (Maine) Maine Central Institute
The Bears get a slight edge over Arizona, due to quality and quantity. Few people outside of the west realize just how good McGuire and Kately are going to be. Many national analysts also underrate Ubaka.
2. Arizona
Kirk Walters, 6-10 C Grand Rapids (Mich.) South Christian
Mustafa Shakur, 6-3 PG Wynnewood (Penn.) Friend's Central
Ndudi Ebi, 6-9 PF Houston (Tex.) Westbury Christian
Adding two of the top ten players in the country to Arizona's already loaded roster doesn't seem fair.
3. Arizona St.
Will Fameni, 6-8 PF Amelia Ct Hse (Virg.) Amelia Academy
Chris Low, 6-8 PF Gorman (Tex.) High
Tron Smith, 6-2 PG Moreno Valley (Calif.) Canyon Springs
Keith Wooden, 6-8 PF Lawrence (Kan.) Lawrence Free State
Tron Smith is a stud and Keith Wooden has a terrific upside. The Sun Devils were a clear choice for #3, in our opinion.
4. Oregon
Ray Schafer, 6-10 C Wasilla (Alaska) High
Mitch Platt, 6-9 C Henderson (Nev.) Green Valley
Aaron Brooks, 5-10 PG Seattle (Wash.) Franklin
Of the remaining teams, Oregon had the best player in Brooks, plus very intriguing big man Schafer and a solid post prospect in Platt.
5. UCLA
Trevor Ariza, 6-7 SF Los Angeles (Calif.) Westchester
Sean Phaler, 6-9 PF Villa Park (Calif.) High
Bruins edge out next two teams with the best player in Ariza.
6. Oregon St.
Liam Hughes, 7-2 C Modesto (Calif.) Modesto Christian
Kyle Jeffers, 6-8 PF Santa Rosa (Calif.) Montgomery
Jeffree Williams, 6-8 Portland (Ore.) Roosevelt
Oregon St. loads up in the frontcourt with three players who will be significant contributors over the next 4-5 years.
7. USC
Rodrick Stewart, 6-3 SG Seattle (Wash.) Rainier Beach
Lodrick Stewart, 6-3 SG Seattle (Wash.) Rainier Beach
Twins are very talented, and very athletic, but feel for the game needs a lot of work. If they figure it out, this class could end up among top three in the conference.
8. Stanford
Fred Washington, 6-4 SF Torrance (Calif.) Bishop Montgomery
Tim Morris, 6-4 SG Atlanta (Georgia) Whitefield Academy
Evan Moore, 6-6 PF Brea (Calif.) Brea Olinda
Washington was a very good get late after losing on a few big-time targets. He'll bring athleticism and a warrior's attitude to the Cardinal.
T 9. Washington St.
Lance Den Boer, 6-6 SF Sunnyside (Wash.) Sunnyside Christian
Justin Garcia, 7-1 C San Bernardino (Calif.) San Bernardino Valley College
Cougars get a project big man and a pure shooter in Den Boer.
T 9. Washington
Tre Simmons, 6-5 SG Odessa (Tex.) Odessa College
Juco sources tell us that Simmons will help the Huskies.
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