Another Look: NBA future stars

Before the 2012 NBA draft, Scout.com did a feature titled: Five High Schoolers bound for NBA stardom. While it’s easy to agree with their selections here is a different look at the future top draft picks of the NBA.

#1 Andrew Wiggins (SF – Class of 2014)

After an impressive spring, Wiggins pretty much took the top high school prospect conch from Jabari Parker, who held it for the past year. While Wiggins and Parker play the same position, Wiggins possesses the elite athleticism missing from Parker’s game. Wiggins has a solid handle and a good looking stroke on his jump shot (although this area still need improvement) which will help him carve out a successful career in the NBA. Back during the Dallas EYBL, Wiggins had a 30 point, 10 rebound performance on All-Ohio Red in a comeback win that left the crowd in awe. Look for Wiggins to greet David Stern as the first pick in the NBA draft in the near future and for many more performances like the one he put on in Dallas. 

#2 Julius Randle (PF – Class of 2013)

Randle is the most dominant player on the AAU circuit and regularly commands double and triple teams in almost every game. Randle is a 6’9 power forward that combines a powerful build with a graceful game. On most occasions, Randle can be seen grabbing the defensive rebound, pushing the ball up the court, and driving to the basket for a lay-up or dishing to the open man. Randle will need to work on his 15 foot jump shot to be successful in the NBA, but is physically ready to bang with the NBA big men right now.

#3 Jabari Parker (SF – Class of 2013)

In Parker’s three year high school career he has accumulated three state championships, numerous individual accolades, and a Sports Illustrated cover proclaiming him the best high school player since Lebron James. While Parker is definitely deserving of the hype and the number one ranking in the class of 2013, his NBA future might not be as bright as some might expect. Parker is a team player that can handle the ball extremely well and can utilize various post moves down low or strong drives to the basket to score. Parker, like Wiggins, possesses a nice form on his jump shot but this is one area that needs improvement as he often struggled from the three point and free throw line during the high school season. While athletic, Parker does not have the elite quickness, speed, or jumping ability that Wiggins has. However, he already improved on this area from the time his high school season ended and the AAU circuit began. He might not be the best high school player since Lebron, but he is the most decorated one.

#4 Cliff Alexander (PF – Class of 2014)

Most recruiting rankings have been slow to catch on to Cliff Alexander as he was routinely ranked in the 20’s during the high school season and low teens during the AAU season (although he will most likely receive another bump similar to scout’s #3 ranking). Alexander has also been consistently ranked lower than another Chicago center, Jahlil Okafor. Despite this, Alexander oozes NBA future star. Alexander stands 6’8,” but looks like a young Dwight Howard. He led his team to the Chicago championship game during the high school season and won the Pangos MOP in June. While Okafor might be rated higher, these two played to a draw in the winter and Alexander has the ability to improve immensely over the next few years.

#5 Andrew Harrison (PG – Class of 2013)

Harrison already has NBA height at 6’5” for a PG and can usually get to the basket anytime he wants with his size/strength combination. He will need to work on his outside shot, but as NBA fans have recently seen from ultra athletic point guards such as Rose, Westbrook, and Rondo, it is not necessary to have a Ray Allen type jumper. 

 #5a James Young (SG/SF – Class of 2013)

Young exploded this spring starting with the first Nike EYBL event in Minneapolis and continued his solid play in almost every AAU tournament his Detroit team played in. Due to his consistent effort, Young jumped from a player ranked in the mid 20’s to one ranked as a top 8 player. In four EYBL events, Young averaged 18.5 points and 7.3 rebounds while hitting 35% of his three’s and 80% of his free-throws. At 6’7, Young is the perfect height for a small-forward. He can attack the basket off the dribble and has an effortless three point stroke. With a game, name, and hairstyle similar to the Clippers Nick Young the comparison is easy to make. While Nick Young can score 30 one game and 5 the next, James Young is much more of a consistent player and also fills the stat sheet in more than one way.