In the wake of Wednesday's release of our updated basketball prospect rankings, RecruitingNation hoops experts weigh in on the biggest storylines to watch with the ESPN 60 juniors.
Dave Telep: This one is easy: The quest for the top spot. Let's make this perfectly clear: Jahlil Okafor jumping Tyus Jones is about Okafor -- not Jones. The junior season Okafor has turned in combined with his upside, brute force, burgeoning skills and current resume gave him the nod. But I firmly believe Jones is the best pure point guard in high school basketball and would be disappointed if these guys didn't go back and forth over the next year. We also wouldn't be opposed to watching someone go right at them, either,
Paul Biancardi: This group has its share of elite and emerging players. I have my eye on a few guys who have played well, and I expect more from them as they finish out their junior years heading into the spring and summer. Syracuse recruit Chris McCullough already moved from the teens to No. 6 and could eventually crack the top five; the leading scorer and rebounder at Brewster Academy (N.H.) has the potential to accomplish more by just being assertive. No. 24 junior D'Angelo Russell is a scoring guard who can also facilitate, but to be elite he needs to develop a middle game and defend. No. 39 T.J. Haws might be the best shooter in this group from both deep and mid-range. And finally, No. 34 L.J. Peak had a breakout performance against nationally ranked Chicago Simeon earlier this season, and his skills and bounce tell me he is ready to emerge.
Reggie Rankin: Power forward Trey Lyles moved up just one spot, going from No. 5 to No. 4, but I will be watching closely because he has the size, skill and upside to make another jump. Lyles could potentially challenge for the top spot along with point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, who moved from No. 4 to No. 3. These two prospects have had terrific junior seasons and I expect them to keep the pressure on elite point guard Tyus Jones and powerful, skilled post Jahlil Okafor.
Adam Finkelstein: This is a class that has had its fair share of defections this year, and the reclassifications of Andrew Wiggins, Noah Vonleh, Dakari Johnson and Wayne Selden all came at a major price as the Class of 2014 is now one that looks particularly weak in comparison to years past. The addition of Karl Towns Jr. from the 2015 class certainly helps, but the bottom line is that this group appears limited both at the top as well as with its overall depth. The ironic part is that the early projections for the 2014 class were anything but disappointing, so heading into the grassroots spring season we'll be on the lookout for new names to help strengthen the class.
Joel Francisco: While there is a dearth of big men out West in the Class of 2014, there are a bevy of point guards and wings who should keep high-major coaches busy during the spring and summer months. Most national pundits are familiar with the ultra-talents of Jordan McLaughlin and the wizardry of Parker Jackson-Cartwright. However, there is another name hidden over the Rocky Mountains in Denver native Josh Perkins, who oozes with upside. Toss in a group of talented wings in Stanley Johnson, Malik Pope, Daniel Hamilton, Kameron Chatman, Shaqquan Aaron and Namon Wright and there is no reason why the West should not regain its lost status among recruiters.
Mike LaPlante: Big guys are back among the elite players! The college game has evolved into a guard-dominated game, but the right anchor in the middle is always a focus for college coaches. Although the 2013 class is devoid of a center in its top 10, the 2014 class has three centers in the top 10: Jahlil Okafor, Karl Towns Jr. and Cliff Alexander.