Langford Remains TOp Dog in 2016; New Face For 2017
Joshua Langford remains #1 for 2016
Not much changed at the top for the class of 2016 as highly regarded Joshua Langford comes in at #1 for our preseason player rankings. For years to come, it doesn't look like he will be challenged for the top spot but that doesn't mean there isn't good talent following him. The others just aren't as developed quite yet but for so long Alabama has been a state where kids blossom later than sooner for instance Eric Bledsoe.
Forward Cameron Diggs still remains second as he picked up an offer from Auburn a month ago and has gained new interest from Kansas St in the mean time. Diggs was forced to sit last season as a freshman for an infraction while playing varsity as an eighth grader because his middle school wasn't a feeder school to his high where he lives only minutes away from.
Tracey Burnett was also forced to sit out last year as a freshman at Lee-Huntsville but will make an impact this year as he remains at #3. Burnett picked up interest from schools such as Auburn, Richmond and St. Bonaventure during the open period last month leaving him an offer on the table from Richmond.
Triston Chambers, Reginald Todd and Spencer Newman remain at 4,5 and 6 but forward EJ Datcher moves up to #7 from his previous spot 11. Datcher will make a huge impact on his team this year as he spent numerous hours in the gym during the off season with high school head John Hadder. Newman will also spend a lot of time leading his young team this year.
Jamani Glover moved up one spot to number as he has made vast improvements transitioning to the point guard spot. His athleticism is through the roof and has added that to his all around game making him a dynamic point guard once he improves his passing ability with experience.
Latarius Carroll was one of the better freshman in the state last year as he led his Carver-Birmingham team in scoring last year while capturing All-City awards and is also one of the better football players on his high school team. Carroll was ranked at the bottom during the post aau season rankings due to him not playing travel ball during the off season.
Josh Hill will be counted on a lot more at the #11 spot this year for the Faith Academy Rams but he will probably have to play more inside as he is developing his game more on the wing. Hill is a knock down shooter with extended range with bull like strength and looks to play more on the perimeter this season as head coach John Price stated.
#13 PJ Grooms has been making some noise lately during the camp season and seems to have made some strides in his game. Grooms doesn't play in the AHSAA like the other players mentioned above. The Central Park wing will play good competition though with his independent school which may help him the long run.
John Pettway, Justin Hopkins, Kevin Morris, Mykelti Chatman and Rod Scott are the new are the new faces to the rankings and for a big reason. Hopkins is ranked the highest of the bunch coming in at #12 and possesses major talent and athleticism to become something special at J.O. Johnson as he garnished interest from Mississippi St recently. Chatman is next at #15 and has the size to be a problem for most 1A schools as the Parrish forward will play a bigger role this season literally and figuratively. Rod Scott comes in at #17 and will also give 1A schools fits this season as the lead guard picked up interest from Murray St during the open period last month. Morris is a big body at 6-7 aand has made improvements over with his athleticism and strength drawing bodily comparisons to Karl Malone. Pettway is the younger cousin of Alabama assistant coach Antoine Pettway and isn't quite as good as his older cousin quite yet but does have the potential to be.
Click here for complete rankings for 2016
Forward Cameron Diggs still remains second as he picked up an offer from Auburn a month ago and has gained new interest from Kansas St in the mean time. Diggs was forced to sit last season as a freshman for an infraction while playing varsity as an eighth grader because his middle school wasn't a feeder school to his high where he lives only minutes away from.
Tracey Burnett was also forced to sit out last year as a freshman at Lee-Huntsville but will make an impact this year as he remains at #3. Burnett picked up interest from schools such as Auburn, Richmond and St. Bonaventure during the open period last month leaving him an offer on the table from Richmond.
Triston Chambers, Reginald Todd and Spencer Newman remain at 4,5 and 6 but forward EJ Datcher moves up to #7 from his previous spot 11. Datcher will make a huge impact on his team this year as he spent numerous hours in the gym during the off season with high school head John Hadder. Newman will also spend a lot of time leading his young team this year.
Jamani Glover moved up one spot to number as he has made vast improvements transitioning to the point guard spot. His athleticism is through the roof and has added that to his all around game making him a dynamic point guard once he improves his passing ability with experience.
Latarius Carroll was one of the better freshman in the state last year as he led his Carver-Birmingham team in scoring last year while capturing All-City awards and is also one of the better football players on his high school team. Carroll was ranked at the bottom during the post aau season rankings due to him not playing travel ball during the off season.
Josh Hill will be counted on a lot more at the #11 spot this year for the Faith Academy Rams but he will probably have to play more inside as he is developing his game more on the wing. Hill is a knock down shooter with extended range with bull like strength and looks to play more on the perimeter this season as head coach John Price stated.
#13 PJ Grooms has been making some noise lately during the camp season and seems to have made some strides in his game. Grooms doesn't play in the AHSAA like the other players mentioned above. The Central Park wing will play good competition though with his independent school which may help him the long run.
John Pettway, Justin Hopkins, Kevin Morris, Mykelti Chatman and Rod Scott are the new are the new faces to the rankings and for a big reason. Hopkins is ranked the highest of the bunch coming in at #12 and possesses major talent and athleticism to become something special at J.O. Johnson as he garnished interest from Mississippi St recently. Chatman is next at #15 and has the size to be a problem for most 1A schools as the Parrish forward will play a bigger role this season literally and figuratively. Rod Scott comes in at #17 and will also give 1A schools fits this season as the lead guard picked up interest from Murray St during the open period last month. Morris is a big body at 6-7 aand has made improvements over with his athleticism and strength drawing bodily comparisons to Karl Malone. Pettway is the younger cousin of Alabama assistant coach Antoine Pettway and isn't quite as good as his older cousin quite yet but does have the potential to be.
Click here for complete rankings for 2016
John Petty is the new face at #1
There's a new name at the top for the class of 2017 and he goes by John Petty. Petty takes over the #1 spot for numerous reasons. The 6-5 wing oozes potential to go along with the skill set he has already developed on the wing. Knock down shooter - check, athleticism - check, height for position - check. J.O. Johnson has a pretty good freshman in Petty and is probably the best player on the teams and hasn't even played his first quarter of high school basketball yet. Auburn, Mississippi St and Murray St have already shown major interest in the young talent and pretty sure there will be more to come.
Jamal Johnson moves to #2 but has the ability to challenge the #1 spot again with his versatility to play both guard positions. Like Petty, Jamal has good height for both positions and plays with a higher IQ than most kids in his class. Sparkman will count on him a lot with the departure of Lamonte Turner to Arlington Country Day. Johnson is the son of former NBA player Buck Johnson so he has an advantage genetically plus the in-home advice from a pro.
DJ Heath leaped up a spot to #3 while he is hands down the best point guard in the class. Known as a very hard worker, Heath will put his new skill set and strength to the test this season for Sacred Heart.
Austin Wiley is one of the biggest kids in the state regardless of class and has the potential to be one of the best true centers to come from the state of Alabama. at 6-9 most kids his age have a hard time shooting over or around him but the high school season will bring more experience for the big fella as it will only make him better.
Reginald Mhoon also moved up to #5 but the skilled small forward will be forced to sit this season due to a transfer from UMS-Wright to Faith Academy. He will need to work really hard during the off season to keep his ranking as sitting out a year so young seems to set some players back as their young bodies are still growing and take some time to get used to with such a sport like basketball.
Allen Lang is the younger brother of Virginia Tech commit Antonio Lang Jr and is already taller than TJ at the same age. The younger Lang has been forced to play inside during his early career because of his height but working with his father, Antonio Lang Sr former NBA Player, he still gets the development on the wing making him a mismatch problem for most players as he can play inside and out. Lang moved up into the top 10 and will add more size to the already large and talented McGill-Toolen Yellow Jackets.
Click here for complete rankings for 2017
Jamal Johnson moves to #2 but has the ability to challenge the #1 spot again with his versatility to play both guard positions. Like Petty, Jamal has good height for both positions and plays with a higher IQ than most kids in his class. Sparkman will count on him a lot with the departure of Lamonte Turner to Arlington Country Day. Johnson is the son of former NBA player Buck Johnson so he has an advantage genetically plus the in-home advice from a pro.
DJ Heath leaped up a spot to #3 while he is hands down the best point guard in the class. Known as a very hard worker, Heath will put his new skill set and strength to the test this season for Sacred Heart.
Austin Wiley is one of the biggest kids in the state regardless of class and has the potential to be one of the best true centers to come from the state of Alabama. at 6-9 most kids his age have a hard time shooting over or around him but the high school season will bring more experience for the big fella as it will only make him better.
Reginald Mhoon also moved up to #5 but the skilled small forward will be forced to sit this season due to a transfer from UMS-Wright to Faith Academy. He will need to work really hard during the off season to keep his ranking as sitting out a year so young seems to set some players back as their young bodies are still growing and take some time to get used to with such a sport like basketball.
Allen Lang is the younger brother of Virginia Tech commit Antonio Lang Jr and is already taller than TJ at the same age. The younger Lang has been forced to play inside during his early career because of his height but working with his father, Antonio Lang Sr former NBA Player, he still gets the development on the wing making him a mismatch problem for most players as he can play inside and out. Lang moved up into the top 10 and will add more size to the already large and talented McGill-Toolen Yellow Jackets.
Click here for complete rankings for 2017