The new player rankings are out for the Class of 2014, and with that, the 2014 recruit rankings expand from the ESPN 60 to the ESPN 100, as the class now becomes rising seniors. Along with ranking the top 100 prospects in the 2014 class, we give each player a grade and an in-depth evaluation. Evaluating and comparing prospects all throughout the country is a detailed process, and one that our RecruitingNation staff embraces.
As with any list, there are always some names that others feel should be part of the discussion. Rest assured, the tracking system is thorough and the rankings will change. This is only the beginning of a new ESPN 100 cycle.
To develop our ESPN 100 rankings from among thousands of prospects, we have set criteria to judge players by and help in the process. The criteria consist of: performance (which shows a player's talent and gets him noticed), production (what he does consistently), potential (a snapshot of what he could become) and future projection (what level does he fit at best). We also assess intangible traits like passion, intensity, effort, teachable spirit, body language, unselfishness and impact on helping a team win.
With that in mind, here's a scouting overview of the new ESPN 100, complete with strength at the top, notable risers, some new faces and some superlatives in the Class of 2014.
Strength at the top of the class
With seven of the top 10 prospects being post players, the strength of the 2014 class is clearly in the frontcourt -- not just in sheer number of ranked players but also their dominance. We're talking impact prospects not just with their size but also with their scoring (both inside and facing the basket), rebounding, athleticism and shot-blocking.
The nation's No. 1 recruit in the 2014 class continues to be 6-foot-10 center Jahlil Okafor (Chicago/Whitney Young). What makes him the best player in the class right now? He is a true back-to-the-basket, low-post player who knows how to make and maintain a post-up for a paint score, using great hands and excellent footwork to make his moves fluidly. Okafor is a wide body who understands the value of deep post position and will force almost any defense to double-team him, at which point he becomes a smart and willing passer from the post. Simply put, he is special both on and off the court.
But Okafor is not the only dominant post player in the class. Center Cliff Alexander (Chicago/Curie) moves to the No. 2 spot and power forward Trey Lyles (Indianapolis/Arsenal Tech) stays at No. 4 to round out a trio of talented bigs in the top five. At No. 6, Kentucky recruit Karl Towns Jr. (Metuchen, N.J./St. Joseph) is as skilled as any other big man in the class and is extremely effective facing the basket and scoring or passing. Syracuse-bound power forward Chris McCullough (Bronx, N.Y./Brewster Academy), ranked No. 7 overall, is mobile and active and has enormous upside. Rounding out the big men in the top 10, No. 9 Kevon Looney (Milwaukee/Hamilton) has the skill, length and physical tools to play both inside and away from the basket, while No. 10 Myles Turner (Euless, Texas/Euless Trinity) is the biggest riser in the rankings.
Moving away from the paint and to the leadership spot, the 2014 group is also blessed with excellent point guard talent. In a class by himself is No. 1 point guard and No. 3 overall recruit Tyus Jones (Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley). His Chris Paul-like game is a coach's dream, as he takes command of his team and the game by orchestrating the flow of every possession. He finds ways to create and distribute at an advanced level and is now scoring more than ever with the deep jumper or drive. His drop from No. 2 to No. 3 overall in the class has nothing to do with his own play and everything to do with Alexander's production and potential.
Other elite point guards in the class include No. 5 overall Emmanuel Mudiay (Dallas/Prime Prep), No. 14 and UNC-bound Joel Berry (Apopka, Fla./Lake Highland), No. 18 Jordan McLaughlin (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Etiwanda) and No. 22 JaQuan Lyle (Evansville, Ind./Bosse).
Finally, when you look at the wing positions of shooting guard and small forward, this class is so deep with high-level scorers, size and outstanding shooters. No. 12 prospect Stanley Johnson (Fullerton, Calif./Mater Dei) has been on a mission this spring, as he has shown up to every event aiming to be the best and help his team win. He has been crushing the competition with his physically strong frame, rebounding and scoring skills.
Notable risers in the rankings
As a recruiter and evaluator, you always look for prospects who aim to develop even more. A great sign is when players don't rest on their laurels and seek to improve their game, their body and their approach.
When you make a noticeable jump inside the top 10, it means you have truly learned to impact the game. That's exactly what Alexander has done in rising from No. 8 to No. 2. A relentless rebounder who is also the most powerful finisher at the rim in this class, Alexander plays with a chip on his shoulder and stays in his lane -- the painted area -- to seek and destroy opponents. He possesses elite athletic ability with the mobility to block shots, play screen-and-roll and finish inside.
Another impressive jump near the top came from North Carolina-bound small forward Justin Jackson (Tomball, Texas/Homeschool Christian Youth Association), who leaped from No. 14 to No. 8. Some players have a pre-commitment effort and productivity that's impressive, but once they make a college decision, they have a letdown of sorts. Not Jackson. He continues to be extremely impressive with his midrange jumper, constantly using screens to free himself. His skill level simply continues to improve.
UConn-bound shooting guard Daniel Hamilton (Los Angeles/St. John Bosco), who rose from No. 27 to No. 17, continues to impress with his aggressive scoring nature, creativity off the bounce and efficient shooting from inside and beyond the 3-point arc.
Point guard Josh Perkins (Denver/Huntington Prep) jumped from No. 41 to No. 24 because he shows plenty of skill, athletic ability and strength as he plays to make others better.
Finally, Ohio State-bound shooting guard Jae'Sean Tate (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central) plays with a ferocious demeanor and is a hard-nosed rebounder for his size, traits that led to his rise from No. 52 to No. 29.
New faces in the ESPN 100
We are still in the infancy stages with the full Class of 2014 ESPN 100, and we are always looking for and aware of new faces who possess the talent and qualities to find their way into our rankings. Discovering new prospects or reconfirming leads of players who find their way onto our radar may be the most exciting part of the evaluation process. Players blossom at different times throughout their career, be it physically, skillwise or with their mental approach to the game.
The tracking system is daunting but worth it when you find some new faces, which we definitely did for the initial 2014 ESPN 100.
Turner has simply exploded onto the scene for the Texas Select AAU program this spring, vaulting from unranked to No. 10. His excellent length to alter shots and timing to block shots jump out at you first. Then, as you begin to study his offensive game, you see much more. He is productive facing the basket, as his range extends comfortably out to the 3-point arc, and he demonstrates vision and IQ passing out of the post.
Also keep your eye on Florida-bound point guard Chis Chiozza (Memphis/White Station), who is ranked No. 39 in the new ESPN 100. He likes to play in a fast-paced game and can create scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clever ballhandling as he navigates in ball-screen situations. He forces the defense to help and then makes the assist with joy. He also has a soft touch on his jumper and can finish well enough at the rim.
Small forward Zylan Cheatham (Phoenix/Westwind), ranked No. 75, is a prime example of how hard work and playing with intensity all the time will get you noticed. He performs at a high level in the open floor, displaying passing and finishing skills that demand attention. He is a high-level athlete who rebounds on both ends of the floor.
Point guard Riley LaChance (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield Central) enters our top 100 at No. 97 as a sharp-shooting guard with deep range, accuracy and a quick, confident trigger. He also has terrific passing skills and the IQ to play the point.
Finally, sneaking into our last spot at No. 100 is Trey Kell (San Diego/St. Augustine), a polished shooting guard with a great stroke who blossomed this spring out West. He is a great shooter and a winner who led his team to a state title game this past season.
Class of 2014 superlatives
Best passer: Tyus Jones. The consummate point guard plays with his head up and eyes ready to make the right pass. He is always probing the defense to find an open teammate who is ready to score.
Best shooter: James Blackmon Jr. The Indiana-bound shooting guard has been on fire this spring and has solidified himself as a major threat from the beyond the arc. He is also excellent at the two-dribble pull-up.
Best rebounder: Cliff Alexander. With his mobility and tenacity, he is both a vertical and horizontal rebounder. Alexander doesn't just grab rebounds -- he takes them away from others.
Best scorer: Rashad Vaughn. He is strong and athletic and wired to put the ball in the basket. At this point, Vaughn is a volume scorer, but he is always a threat.
Best low-post player: Jahlil Okafor. He is a load to stop because he has too much size, touch and instincts in the bottom half of the paint to stop one-on-one.