The Most NBA-Ready Prospects in High School Basketball Right Now
High school basketball superstars jumping to the NBA has been abolished for a decade now, but the one-and-done era of college basketball is still going strong. Prep basketball season is rapidly approaching as the NBA tips its regular season this week, so now is the perfect time to examine some high school seniors who could be playing in the pros sooner than later.
While all of these players still need plenty of work before becoming bona fide pro prospects, many have regarded the class of 2016 as being perhaps the deepest of the last decade. There might not be a one-in-a-generation talent such as LeBron James or Kevin Durant among the group, but plenty of prospects are considered to be potential 10-year pros. If these high school seniors were allowed to enter the 2016 NBA draft, some of them would be first-round picks.
Here's a look at eight of the best high school seniors who could one day thrive in the NBA. You might see these guys get their name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after one year of college in the near future.
Edrice "Bam" Adebayo, Power Forward, High Point Christian (N.C.)
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Measurables: 6'9", 230 lbs
Best pro attribute: Raw power and athleticism. Adebayo makes a lot of "grown man plays" at the high school level by beasting opponents on the interior.
What to watch for: There's a reason his nickname is Bam. When the 5-star native of North Carolina dunks, it even sounds different from the others. A powerful physical specimen who has also improved his mid-range jumper, Adebayo teamed with Dennis Smith on the grassroots circuit to form one of the most lethal pick-and-roll combos in the high school game in recent memory. North Carolina State would love to keep the duo together in the ACC, while North Carolina and Wake Forest are also doing everything they can to keep Adebayo home.
De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Cypress Lakes (Texas)
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Measurables: 6'3", 170 lbs
Best pro attribute: Speed. Fox has said that he admires the game of Russell Westbrook, and his speed on both ends is reminiscent of the Thunder guard.
What to watch for: An absolute blur on the court, the 5-star native of Texas had a monster summer and is squarely in the conversation as one of the nation's best point guards. Ultra-aggressive on both ends of the floor, Fox plays in attack mode with the ball in his hands and also loves to get in an opposing player's grill on defense. Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville and LSU have received official visits from Fox this fall, as he'll likely decide his future in the next few weeks.
Harry Giles, Power Forward, Oak Hill Academy (Va.)
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Measurables: 6'10", 220 lbs
Best pro attribute: Rebounding. Giles gets off the floor quickly and has tremendous natural instincts on the glass.
What to watch for: Some consider Giles to be the No. 1 prospect in the class, and with everything he can do at 6'10", it's easy to see why. The North Carolina native has the fluidity of a wing but gets off the ground quickly enough to be a force on the glass. An improving jump shooter, he is also extending his range and improving his one-on-one scoring moves. 247 Sports' Jerry Meyer reported the 5-star forward will announce his college decision in mid-November, and he has taken official visits to Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Wake Forest.
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Josh Jackson, Shooting Guard, Prolific Prep (Calif.)
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Measurables: 6'7", 185 lbs
Best pro attribute: Athleticism. Jackson is a ridiculous leaper and also has great open-floor speed for a guard of his size.
What to watch for: Regarded by many as the No. 1 prospect in the class, Jackson is a freak athlete (think a shade below Andrew Wiggins) who has also a lot of versatility to his game. 247Sports national recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer said Jackson was the best two-guard he's scouted, and the native of Detroit can score, handle, pass, rebound and defend. Arizona, Kansas, Maryland and Michigan State are believed to be in the best position for Jackson.
Thon Maker, Center, Orangeville Prep (Va.)
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Measurables: 7'0", 210 lbs
Best pro attribute: Unique skill set. Just watch some of Maker's highlights while crossing a defender or hitting a pull-up three and try not to get excited.
What to watch for: Already a YouTube sensation thanks to his highlight-friendly mixtapes, the 7-footer runs like a guard and shows flashes of playing like a skilled perimeter player. While the 5-star makes jaws drop with the handles and jumper that he displays for his size, he's also adept as a shot-blocker and rebounder. In a loaded class of 2016, Maker has perhaps the most upside of the group in terms of playing in the NBA. Arizona State, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky and Notre Dame have been most frequently named during his recruitment.
Malik Monk, Guard, Bentonville (Ark.)
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Measurables: 6'4", 185 lbs
Best pro attribute: Scoring ability. Monk can put up points at all three levels in a hurry and can get especially hot from beyond the arc.
What to watch for: No player in the country can put points on the board as quickly as Monk can; he once went for 59 points in a Nike EYBL game as a sophomore. The younger brother of former Arkansas star wide receiver Marcus Monk, Malik has developed into an elite prospect in his own right thanks to tremendous athleticism and an improving floor game. Once thought of as mostly a scorer, he has improved his ability to handle and distribute the last few months. Arkansas and Kentucky are the front-runners to land him.
Dennis Smith, Point Guard, Trinity Christian School (N.C.)
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Measurables: 6'2", 180 lbs
Best pro attribute: Explosiveness. Smith can elevate and dunk on big men and has tremendous body control around the rim as a finisher.
What to watch for: A new-breed point guard who can finish above the rim or make plays for others, the N.C. State commit is regarded as one of the best point guard prospects in the last few classes. Although he tore his ACL in August, Smith is expected to make a full recovery. That means trouble for opposing defenses, as Smith can blow by defenders using a quick first step or operate the pick-and-roll and find his big man by rifling perfect pocket passes.
Jayson Tatum, Small Forward, Chaminade Prep (Mo.)
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Measurables: 6'8", 195 lbs
Best pro attribute: Mid-range game. The mid-range game is a lost art with many analytics-friendly teams going away from it, but Tatum has polished footwork and advanced scoring moves.
What to watch for: Possibly the best player the St. Louis area has produced in years, the Duke commit has a tremendous feel for the game. Already gifted with a high basketball IQ and a robust scoring arsenal, Tatum is a mid-range assassin who has improved as a straight-line driver and finisher in the last few months.
Star rankings and recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information were obtained firsthand.
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