Final 2019 Player Rankings
Alabama was victorious over Mississippi in the annual Alabama-Mississippi All Star Game.
The class of 2019 started off really strong and ended up finishing with a lot of depth. This is the first time we extended our player rankings out to 150 prospects. We did our best trying to cover each corner of the state, identifying every prospect of every level.
There were also a few kids who either reclassified or left the state. Kira Lewis was the most notable as he decided to graduate early and take his talents to Alabama. He was a strong contender for the #1 spot after his stellar play during the travel season. Then you had some kids who decided to leave the state such as Traizon Byrd who was originally at Huntsville High but took his talents to Tennessee Prep and has now signed with College of Southern Idaho. And finally you have Jonnivius Smith who transferred from Huffman due to eligibility issues. Smith is currently at Crestwood Prep in Canada and has decided to reclassify to 2020. Those are just a few notable names who made decisions to either reclassify, move or do both.
There were also a few kids who either reclassified or left the state. Kira Lewis was the most notable as he decided to graduate early and take his talents to Alabama. He was a strong contender for the #1 spot after his stellar play during the travel season. Then you had some kids who decided to leave the state such as Traizon Byrd who was originally at Huntsville High but took his talents to Tennessee Prep and has now signed with College of Southern Idaho. And finally you have Jonnivius Smith who transferred from Huffman due to eligibility issues. Smith is currently at Crestwood Prep in Canada and has decided to reclassify to 2020. Those are just a few notable names who made decisions to either reclassify, move or do both.
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa guard JaLon Johnson put up some big time numbers to help his team make a run in the playoffs. [Photo Courtesy of Tuscaloosa News]
"Senior Stars"
There were a lot of changes, mainly additions, with guys making big jumps after stellar senior seasons. We always say this is a late blooming state and guys like JaLon Johnson (6'0" G Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa), Antonio Thomas (6'5" SG Shades Valley), Christopher Lett (6'4" SG Hillcrest-Evergreen) and Corien Frazier (6'3" G Vigor) have stamped their names as guys who burst onto the scene their senior seasons. JaLon Johnsos will stay home and take his talents to ACCC Champs Shelton State. Antonio Thomas is also being recruited by Shelton St and looks to be one of the biggest sleepers around with his shooting ability and athleticism at his size. Christopher Lett has signed with Coastal Alabama-Monroeville, one of the best programs in the ACCC under Trey Brown. Corien Frazier is still open and has taken visits to several different schools ranging from JUCO to NAIA. There were several other "Senior Stars" who made a splash this season and have reaped the benefits and will be headed to the next level.
Desmond Williams recruitment is open after a coaching change at Troy. [Photo Courtesy of Montgomery Advertiser]
Division-I Availables
It's rather late to be talking about availables at the division-I level for Alabama kids but we actually have several. One being arguably the best available prospect in the nation, five star Trendon Watford (6'8" SF Mountain Brook). Watford was primed to make his decision on national TV at the Jordan All American game, but when it was discovered that the game would not be televised, there was a change of plans. Look for Watford to be making a decision soon. Kobe Brown (6'7" SF Lee-Huntsville) is a four star who was previously committed to Texas A&M before they had a coaching change. Brown is still a priority to several high major programs and its looks like Missouri is in there pretty good. Desmond Williams (6'0" G Brewbaker Tech) had signed to Troy before their coaching change and has had suitors come in recently. The new staff at Troy is still working him while coaches from Texas A&M-Corpus Christie and Western Kentucky have made their way to Montgomery to see Williams.