New ESPN 2018 Rankings

[TwitterLegend]

ESPN just put out their post-summer 2018 rankings. A couple Norcal guys of note:

Jordan Brown drops to #30 in the class. Ouch, that's a hard fall from top 5-10. Trending like this would put him out of the McDonalds game (he's looked like a LOCK his whole HS career).

James Akinjo comes in at #75, very well deserved to be on any and every national rankings list.

Taeshon Cherry (who plays for Oakland Soldiers) is the only other kid with any "local" ties. He's at #22, right on the McDonalds borderline.

One note, I think Paul Biancardi (ESPN) is an absolute moron and always give the ESPN rankings the least credibility of the major ones. And as e all know, even the "good" rankings lists mean nothing at all at the end of the day. Take them for what they are, conversation topics.

 

[131Pressman]

I Don't have a problem with #30

 

[RJ223]

He shoulda played with the Soldiers!!! The stage they provide is unmatched among Norcal AAU programs

 

[kiddman32]

Brown was playing with a bum wrist all summer (he didn't know himself, just thought it was a little sore). Since even *he* didn't know I doubt anyone else (like scouts) knew.

Scouts who didn't know he was dinged but saw him struggle a bit would likely mark him down a lttle.

 

[larry legend33]

By no means do I see him as a 1 and done type player. Great fundamentally and skilled player but he's no lock like a lot of people think. I see him like a Rabb. Late, Late first rounder. If he can face up like the euro's and shoot it better out to 3 his stock will go up. But as for the fall I'm not that surprised and it doesn't matter that much at this stage anyway.

 

[Streak One]

I think the perception of Brown has gone too far the other way. Was banged up this summer and I think had plenty exposure playing with Arsenal/PHPS and the different Adidas events.

I still think he has the potential to be a lottery pick guy in two years because of his size, athleticism and skill level. Needs to play with a high motor more consistently (something that Marquese Chriss struggled with heading into his senior year) and getting tougher.

 

[MoneyTeam0115]

@Streak One Jordan Brown has been hiding from aau summer ball his whole hs career. He finally went up against some national talent and got exposed. Now all of a sudden he's banged up? Stop making excuses for these kids. He's a lottery just like Rabb right?

 

[131Pressman]

I think the perception of Brown has gone too far the other way. Was banged up this summer and I think had plenty exposure playing with Arsenal/PHPS and the different Adidas events.

I still think he has the potential to be a lottery pick guy in two years because of his size, athleticism and skill level. Needs to play with a high motor more consistently (something that Marquese Chriss struggled with heading into his senior year) and getting tougher.

Highly disagree with the lottery pick athleticism.

 

[131Pressman]

@Streak One Jordan Brown has been hiding from aau summer ball his whole hs career. He finally went up against some national talent and got exposed. Now all of a sudden he's banged up? Stop making excuses for these kids. He's a lottery just like Rabb right?

I think "exposed" is a little harsh, remember he is a kid, a real good kid at that who may read what's on here. Who wouldn't want there kid to be ranked #30 in the nation after being "exposed" as you say.
If I was advising him and Gonzaga has indeed offered, I would sign that today, I consider him more of a throwback player who will need 3 or 4 years of college to develop his game for the next level. He must get stronger, show/improve deep shot (stretch 4), raise release point of shot, and greatly increase his motor, I am confident he can do those things, the only thing that worries me, a little is the motor, you sometimes have or don't.....

 

[NorCalHSFan]

I think "exposed" is a little harsh, remember he is a kid, a real good kid at that who may read what's on here. Who wouldn't want there kid to be ranked #30 in the nation after being "exposed" as you say.
If I was advising him and Gonzaga has indeed offered, I would sign that today, I consider him more of a throwback player who will need 3 or 4 years of college to develop his game for the next level. He must get stronger, show/improve deep shot (stretch 4), raise release point of shot, and greatly increase his motor, I am confident he can do those things, the only thing that worries me, a little is the motor, you sometimes have or don't.....

I think Gonzaga is in his top 7. I agree he'd be a perfect fit there. They develop post players as well as anyone in college basketball.

 

[Streak One]

Highly disagree with the lottery pick athleticism.

I didn't say he had lottery pick athleticism. I said his whole package makes him a lottery pick candidate. I think his national rank was slightly high heading into the summer but it has swung too far the other way now

 

[larry legend33]

No way is he a lottery pick. I watched TJ Leaf play in HS and he was way better than Jordan Brown at the same stage. Not even close. Not saying he can't catch up but lets not say he's going pro yet.

 

[larry legend33]

No way is he a lottery pick. I watched TJ Leaf play in HS and he was way better than Jordan Brown at the same stage. Not even close. Not saying he can't catch up but lets not say he's going pro yet.