Where’s the beef? It’s in the Class of 2010.
Scout.com released its 2010 Top 75 on Wednesday and six of the top ten prospects were bigs. Leading the way is overall No. 1 Tristan Thompson, Canada’s top hoops export since Steve Nash!
Between Thompson (215 pounds), Ohio State pledge Jared Sullinger (listed at 265) and west coast heavyweight Josh Smith (280) we have over 760 pounds of big men in the Top 5 alone!
Granted, the bigs thin out as the Top 25 unfolded (10 of the 25 overall were bigs). At the top of the class, there’s plenty of talent. When it came to putting together a Top 5 overall, only five were considered and the order is quite debatable.
The lefty Thompson straddles the line of current success and future stardom in the frontcourt. Long and lean, he’s good facing to mid-range and has tremendous bounce at the rim.
Sullinger has a lot of Kevin Love in his game. From the body to the winning resume, he’s a beast amongst his peers.
Harrison Barnes, well, few impacted every event the way he did this summer. After assuming top dog status at the Hoop Jamboree, he went to work all over the map in July with the same results.
No. 5 B. Knight
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Late in the summer, Smith began dunking with a measure of authority. No doubt a work in progress, Smith was the one guy who improved noticeably with each viewing.
What in the world is Brandon Knight doing fifth on this list? We asked ourselves the same question. That’s why this grouping is so strong. Knight, along with Kenny Boynton, spearheaded a winning machine this summer. Athletically gifted there’s a calming element to his game. Arguments could be made for any of these kids to occupy the top slot.
Scout.com 2010 Top 5s
Point Guards -- 1) Brandon Knight 2) Josh Selby 3) Phil Pressey 4) Joe Jackson 5) Kendall Marshall
Shooting Guards -- 1) Reggie Bullock 2) Doron Lamb 3) Daniel Bejarano 4) Crandall Head 5) Dion Waiters
Small Forwards -- 1) Harrison Barnes 2) Roscoe Smith 3) Jereme Richmond 4) Mychal Parker 5) Justin Martin
Power Forwards -- 1) Tristan Thompson 2) DeShaun Thomas 3) Dominique Ferguson 4) C.J. Leslie 5) Josh Hairston
Centers -- 1) Jared Sullinger 2) Josh Smith 3) Jeremy Tyler 4)
Adreian Payne 5) Perry Jones
Top 75 Breakdown
16 point guards (5 in T-25)
21 shooting guards (6 in T-25)
14 small forwards (4 in T-25)
16 power forwards (4 in T-25)
8 centers (6 in T-25)
Coming Friday: Class of 2009 Top 100!