NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Ranking the Top 25 Players in the Class of 2017
Now that things are slowing down for the class of 2016, it's time to take a look at some of the names you'll be hearing about over the next 12 months when it comes to major college basketball recruiting. While many recruiting analysts share a belief that the 5-star group of prospects in 2016 is among the most special of the last decade, the class of 2017 has an abundance of talented players as well.
Whether it's point guards, wings or big men, the class of 2017 looks like it has some decent depth going forward, and there is still plenty of time for new names to crop up over the next few months. Duke and Kentucky have dominated the class of 2016 recruiting landscape, and it'll be interesting to see if that carries over to the class of 2017.
These top 25 prospects in the class of 2017 are the types of players the blue-blood college basketball programs will be targeting over the next year or so. With only two of the top 25 being committed, it's time to get to know some of the players we'll be hearing about extensively when the next November signing period rolls around.
25. Trae Young, Point Guard
1 of 25
Measurables: 6'1", 170 lbs
High school and hometown: Norman North; Norman, Oklahoma
Why he's special: Teams at every level are looking for Steph Curry type of pull-up shooters, and Trae Young passes the test in that department. He also sets things up for his teammates. Also a big-game player who likes playing good competition, Young enjoys big-game settings. He's a top player nationally because he has already succeeded in some of the best settings in high school basketball.
Room for improvement: Young can be inefficient as a shooter, and at times he'll take jumpers that aren't the team's best shot. He's also susceptible to facing bigger, stronger and more athletic guards on the defensive end.
Recruiting rundown: Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are trying to keep Young home, while Kentucky, Kansas and Duke are among the schools who have hosted Young for an unofficial visit. Some wonder if Young will attempt to play with AAU teammate Michael Porter Jr. in college.
24. Lonnie Walker, Shooting Guard
2 of 25Measurables: 6'4", 170 lbs
High school and hometown: Reading; Reading, Pennsylvania
Why he's special: A multipositional guard who can cover a lot of ground offensively, Lonnie Walker has the potential to be a tall point guard with his ability to pass and handle. Walker checks in on this list because he has the athletic traits to be a high-level player down the line.
Room for improvement: Walker could stand to add more weight to his slight frame, and at times he can take a long time to get into his play. Sometimes he'll spend too much time sizing up his opponent rather than playing in attack mode right away.
Recruiting rundown: Villanova is trying to get the Pennsylvania native to stay home, while Indiana, Miami and Oregon have shown interest. Other local schools such as Maryland, Penn State and Temple have also been linked to Walker.
23. P.J. Washington, Power Forward
3 of 25
Measurables: 6'8", 218 lbs
High school and hometown: Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nevada); Frisco, Texas
Why he's special: Although a tad undersized to be a traditional forward, P.J. Washington is an excellent athlete who has elite burst with regards to playing above the rim. Very good in the open floor, Washington has played well against older competition, and his quickness helps him excel at scoring and rebounding. His athletic future makes him a bright long-term prospect.
Room for improvement: Washington could stand to expand his arsenal on the offensive end so that he can score in a larger variety of ways. A more consistent perimeter jump shot would also make Washington even tougher to guard if he's playing in the front court.
Recruiting rundown: Washington has taken unofficial visits to Kentucky and Texas over the past few months, as the Longhorns are trying to make a move to keep the Dallas native in the Longhorn state. Michigan State and Cal have also recruited Washington.
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22. Brian Bowen, Small Forward
4 of 25
Measurables: 6'7", 185 lbs
High school and hometown: La Lumiere School (LaPorte, Indiana); Saginaw, Michigan
Why he's special: A wing who can create with the ball in his hands, Brian Bowen is adept at setting up teammates or creating his own offense. Bowen has been a highly regarded potential prospect since he was a young player because he has great size for the position and good size for the next level. Multipositional perimeter players who can pass, shoot and handle are valuable, which is why Bowen finds himself in this position.
Room for improvement: Bowen can stand to add more weight to his frame, and he didn't shoot the ball particularly well this spring. That being said, Bowen has a workable jumper and has the size to get off shots over his defender.
Recruiting rundown: Being a Saginaw native, Michigan State is the local favorite for Bowen, while Duke, Kentucky and Michigan are also very involved. Bowen has been to East Lansing multiple times during his high school career.
21. Austin Wiley, Power Forward
5 of 25Measurables: 6'10", 250 lbs
High school and hometown: Spain Park; Birmingham, Alabama
Why he's special: One of the elite big men of the 2017 class, Austin Wiley has the size and frame to be a high-level defender and rebounder at the college level. Wiley also has a developing offensive game and works hard for putbacks. Because of his size and athleticism, Wiley has a chance to be a special big man at the next level, which is why he checks in here.
Room for improvement: You have to be concerned that Wiley had knee surgery in May for a partially torn left patella tendon, but he'll have plenty of time to recover before he steps foot on campus. Wiley can also stand to improve his post moves and overall offensive feel because his defense is ahead of his offense.
Recruiting rundown: Wiley ended his recruitment in September, as he decided to stay in Alabama and go to Auburn. The Birmingham native is a part of a huge rebuilding effort from the Tigers and head coach Bruce Pearl, and he's one of the program's future centerpieces.
20. Jalek Felton, Point Guard
6 of 25
Measurables: 6'2", 175 lbs
High school and hometown: Mullins; Mullins, South Carolina
Why he's special: With special vision and good size and athleticism, Jalek Felton can create scoring opportunities for himself or others. Felton has good size for his position and great burst going to the hoop. His vision and ability to play in transition should make him a perfect fit at North Carolina, and it's why Felton is at this spot.
Room for improvement: There are times when Felton goes for the home run play instead of making the simple pass, which leads to turnovers and bad possessions. Although his jumper can get dialed in from a distance, Felton will get passive with his game and not try to take shots, which hurts his team's offense.
Recruiting rundown: The North Carolina commitment is the nephew of former Tar Heels star Raymond Felton and has been committed since late December. The South Carolina native has also reiterated his intentions to stay committed to the program despite the recent NCAA scandal.
19. Zach Brown, Center
7 of 25Measurables: 7'1", 256 lbs
High school and hometown: Miami Beach Senior; Miami, Florida
Why he's special: With massive size and a developing skill set, Zach Brown has the kind of' 7'1" frame that you simply can't teach. Massive for any level of the game, Brown keeps the ball high and continues to get gradually better over time. Because of his massive size and ability to produce, Brown is a strong All-American candidate.
Room for improvement: While Brown has tremendous size and keeps improving, his size also hinders his ability to play in an increasingly quicker game. Brown gets fatigued more quickly than some others, which leads to fouls. His lift also isn't very good, since he's so big.
Recruiting rundown: The big man from Miami took a visit to UConn in September. The local Hurricanes have also offered and are trying to keep him home. Kentucky and Duke have also been linked with Brown in the past.
18. Jeremiah Tilmon, Power Forward
8 of 25Measurables: 6'10", 220 lbs
High school and hometown: La Lumiere School (LaPorte, Indiana); East St. Louis, Illinois
Why he's special: Jeremiah Tilmon has the type of burst off the floor to snare rebounds and block shots that you don't see very often. The native of East St. Louis also has a good frame to work with in the future and runs the floor well for his size. Tilmon has the traits to be an elite rebounder and the upside to be a solid 5-star prospect.
Room for improvement: At times it appears that Tilmon is just a step behind the game and is thinking instead of reacting. His offensive game in the half court also remains a work in progress as he tries to develop more post moves.
Recruiting rundown: Kansas has been very active recruiting Tilmon, and he's attended camp and taken an unofficial visit there. Illinois and Missouri have also worked hard on Tilmon.
17. Brandon McCoy, Center
9 of 25
Measurables: 6'10", 200 lbs
High school and hometown: Morse; San Diego, California
Why he's special: Another rapidly developing center in a class that seems to have a good number of big men, Brandon McCoy runs the floor well and has a ton of upside thanks to his size and athleticism. McCoy has also continued to improve his skill level and is a good rebounder. An elite defender, McCoy can block shots with the best of them, and that's why he's a 5-star prospect.
Room for improvement: He is still working to add post moves, and there are times when he appears lost on the floor in faster games. Once countermoves become a part of McCoy's game, he'll have a greater offensive arsenal to work with.
Recruiting rundown: Living in San Diego, McCoy has been courted by San Diego State and Oregon, and he attended Arizona this fall for an unofficial visit. A native of Chicago, keep an eye on some Midwest programs potentially getting involved.
16. Ikechukwu "Ikey" Obiagu, Center
10 of 25Measurables: 7', 230 lbs
High school and hometown: Greenforest Mccalep Christian Academy; Decatur, Georgia
Why he's special: The top pure shot-blocker in the class, Ikechukwu Obiagu has the size and instincts that are nearly impossible to find. Also a very good rebounder in his area, Obiagu is the type of player who makes a huge impact on that end. Because he has a chance to be a truly special rim protector, Obiagu comes in at this spot.
Room for improvement: The 7-footer is an elite defender, but his offense still has a long ways to go. Obiagu needs to improve all of his overall offensive skills, and he'll have time to do so the next two seasons.
Recruiting rundown: Obiagu burst onto the national scene this summer, and Alabama and Vanderbilt have had him on campus for unofficial visits. Florida, Purdue and Texas are also some of the programs that have been involved early.
15. John Petty, Small Forward
11 of 25Measurables: 6'5", 180 lbs
High school and hometown: J.O. Johnson; Huntsville, Alabama
Why he's special: One of the best scorers in the country regardless of class, John Petty is an aggressive shooter who can also attack the rim. With an array of high-level moves, he can get his shot off from nearly anywhere on the floor and has good size for a shooting guard.
Room for improvement: Ball-handling is something Petty will have to address, as turnovers have been an issue for him in the past. He can also make some poor decisions with the ball in his hands, including some bad shots.
Recruiting rundown: Alabama and Kentucky are among the programs working to keep Petty in the South, as he hails from Huntsville. Auburn and Georgia have both also worked to stay in the loop for him.
14. Kris Wilkes, Small Forward
12 of 25Measurables: 6'7", 190 lbs
High school and hometown: North Central; Indianapolis, Indiana
Why he's special: A skilled wing with a developed mid-range game, Kris Wilkes has the type of size on the wing that college programs covet. A high-end prospect because of his handle and polish, Wilkes has a lot of upside going forward.
Room for improvement: Although he makes some tough mid-range shots, Wilkes can stand to expand his range so that he's more consistent from three-point range. Like many tall wings, he will also need to add strength so he can handle contact at the rim.
Recruiting rundown: An Indiana native who has been actively recruited by Butler and Indiana, Wilkes has also taken an unofficial visit to Kentucky, and other national schools such as UCLA and Maryland have tried to get involved.
13. Nick Richards, Center
13 of 25Measurables: 6'10", 220 lbs
High school and hometown: St. Patrick; Elizabeth, New Jersey
Why he's special: A good defender and rebounder, Nick Richards is a solid athlete with some developing post moves that make you take notice. Still learning the game, he has picked up on things quickly and looks like a good long-term prospect.
Room for improvement: The speed of the game can still get to Richards when he's playing on offense, as he doesn't always make the right play. His post moves are still a bit sloppy at times, but with more reps, Richards should be fine.
Recruiting rundown: Recruiting has developed rapidly for Richards, as he's heard from Kentucky, Kansas, UConn, Indiana, Pitt and Syracuse this fall.
12. Kevin Knox, Small Forward
14 of 25Measurables: 6'7", 195 lbs
High school and hometown: Tampa Catholic, Tampa, Florida
Why he's special: A former football player and son of former NFL wide receiver Kevin Knox, the basketball-playing Kevin Knox is in the mold of a young Rudy Gay and has a chance to be a special wing when it comes to athletic traits and skill level. Knox is rapidly getting better and has a high motor.
Room for improvement: Knox just recently started focusing on basketball full time, so he's catching up on some advanced moves that some of his peers have. Working on his perimeter game to become a skilled wing is the next step.
Recruiting rundown: The buzz for Knox came rather suddenly in the past few months, so much of the elite recruiting has been recent. Florida State appears to be a factor, however, since his dad played there, and he hails from Tampa Bay.
11. Hamidou Diallo, Shooting Guard
15 of 25
Measurables: 6'4", 170 lbs
High school and hometown: Putnam Science Academy; Queens, New York
Why he's special: A mega athlete who can really fly, Hamidou Diallo has the kind of athleticism that is seldom seen in guards, and he can play way above the rim. An attack-mode scorer who plays with a lot of aggression, Diallo has the kind of backcourt scoring that makes him a rare prospect.
Room for improvement: Adding strength will be a must for Diallo, as he'll need to absorb a lot of contact at the rim with the way he can play. Diallo could also stand to improve his range as a shooter, and his handle can be a bit sloppy at times.
Recruiting rundown: The New York native has been pursued hard by St. John's and UConn, while Kansas has also been active early. Kentucky also visited with Diallo this fall, and Syracuse and Alabama are some recent scholarship offers.
10. Gary Trent Jr., Shooting Guard
16 of 25
Measurables: 6'5", 190 lbs
High school and hometown: Apple Valley, St. Paul, Minnesota
Why he's special: When you lead the Nike EYBL in scoring as a younger player, people tend to notice. Gary Trent Jr. is the son of former NBA veteran Gary Trent, and the athletic wing can score with advanced moves from all three levels. Trent Jr. has the overall skill package and bloodlines to be a big-time prospect.
Room for improvement: Passing wasn't something that Trent Jr. showcased very often this summer, since he had to score so much for his team. Trent Jr. also doesn't have a lot of explosiveness to finish plays above the rim.
Recruiting rundown: The Apple Valley product comes from the same high school as Tyus Jones, and his dad has college connections through his playing days at Ohio. Duke and Ohio State are the perceived early favorites, while Kansas and Michigan State have been active.
9. D.J. Harvey, Small Forward
17 of 25
Measurables: 6'6", 185 lbs
High school and hometown: DeMatha Catholic; Hyattsville, Maryland
Why he's special: An advanced scorer who can put it in the bucket from all over the floor, D.J. Harvey is someone who can go on a personal scoring run. Also a very good athlete, Harvey can knock down three-pointers or attack the rim. His scoring prowess makes him a no-brainer 5-star.
Room for improvement: Defensively, Harvey is going to have to make more of an impact, as scoring is his primary focus. Harvey is also prone to some bad shots and poor decision-making with the ball in his hands.
Recruiting rundown: The perception is that Arizona is the favorite for the DeMatha product, but there have been numerous schools to come see Harvey play and offer him scholarships this fall. Harvey also took unofficial visits to Duke and N.C. State this fall.
8. Jarred Vanderbilt, Forward
18 of 25
Measurables: 6'8", 200 lbs
High school and hometown: Victory Prep; Houston, Texas
Why he's special: An elite defender who can defend up to four positions on the floor, Jarred Vanderbilt is a destructive player on the defensive end. Also an elite rebounder, Vanderbilt makes the kind of athletic plays that not many can make. The Texas native is also a good passer from the elbows. His athleticism and defensive prowess make him elite.
Room for improvement: A workable jumper has been something Vanderbilt has been working to develop, and he can also stand to improve his overall offensive skill set as a scorer.
Recruiting rundown: It was a busy fall for Vanderbilt, as he visited Arizona and Arizona State, and also Iowa State. Kansas, Texas and Kentucky have also been involved.
7. Troy Brown, Point Guard
19 of 25
Measurables: 6'5", 185 lbs
High school and hometown: Centennial; Las Vegas, Nevada
Why he's special: A tall point guard who entered high school with a big national reputation, Troy Brown has proved himself to be a high-end prospect and one of the best lead guards in the country. With great size and good patience and vision, Brown has the makings of a high-level floor general.
Room for improvement: The jumper was a big question for Brown, but he's steadily improved things as high school has gone along. Brown can also not play in attack mode during some games when he should take control as a leader.
Recruiting rundown: It's very early in the coast-to-coast battle for Brown. He visited Arizona this fall. Duke has also been linked to Brown in the past, while Cal, Kansas, Louisville and UCLA remain involved.
6. Billy Preston, Forward
20 of 25
Measurables: 6'10", 230 lbs
High school and hometown: Advanced Preparatory International; Dallas, Texas
Why he's special: Billy Preston brings a unique scoring package for a player his size, as he has the jumper to get hot from deep or the overpowering drive game to score at the rim. Preston is productive as a three-level scorer and also rebounds well. Because of his size and ability to score, he is the rare scorer who can take over nearly any game. That makes him a top-10 prospect.
Room for improvement: Like many talented players still feeling out their game, Preston will take some bad shots, and he's also had some poor games against good competition. But when he's engaged, he is as talented a scorer as there is in the class.
Recruiting rundown: It's been an active recruitment for Preston, as Kansas has been involved a lot this fall, and others such as UConn, Arizona, UCLA and Maryland continue to work on the well-traveled forward.
5. Michael Porter Jr., Small Forward
21 of 25
Measurables: 6'9", 210 lbs
High school and hometown: Father Tolton; Columbia, Missouri
Why he's special: Tall wings who are athletic and can shoot are tough to find, and Michael Porter Jr. has the kind of silky jump shot that is tough to find. Also a rebounder, Porter Jr. is the son of Missouri women's assistant coach Michael Porter and comes from a basketball family. With his high basketball IQ and traits as a tall and talented wing, Porter Jr. is one of the best prospects in all of high school basketball.
Room for improvement: Porter needs to add strength so that he's better handling contact when he's attacking the basket. As defenses begin to focus on Porter's game, he would also be wise to add more moves.
Recruiting rundown: Kansas, Kentucky, Duke and, of course, Missouri have been heavily involved with Porter. Washington attempted to hire Michael Porter Sr. to be a men's basketball assistant, and it will be interesting to see if the father-son package ends up occurring.
4. Mohamed Bamba, Center
22 of 25
Measurables: 6'11", 204 lbs
High school and hometown: Westtown School (Norristown, Pennsylvania); New York
Why he's special: With a completely ridiculous 7'8" wingspan, Mohamed Bamba runs the floor incredibly well and makes the kind of athletic plays that few big men can make at any level. Besides his frame, Bamba has continually improved his skill level and has a workable jumper. Because he makes special plays that nearly no one on earth can make, he finds himself near the top of the list.
Room for improvement: Bamba will make an unbelievable play on one end and then miss something completely on the other. He's a work in progress who is still understanding how to properly use his frame. Bamba will also have to add muscle so he can finish through contact inside.
Recruiting rundown: The younger brother of former Arizona and Providence forward Sidiki Johnson, Bamba has scholarship offers from coast to coast. Kentucky was in to see him this fall, and Maryland has also been active for the New York native in the past.
3. DeAndre Ayton, Center
23 of 25
Measurables: 7', 235 lbs
High school and hometown: Hillcrest Academy (Phoenix, Arizona); San Diego, California
Why he's special: One of the premier prospects in all of high school basketball, DeAndre Ayton has the kind of size and skill that is rare for a young player. In an exhibition game against North Carolina as a high school sophomore, Ayton finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds playing for a team in the Bahamas. That kind of effort against a talented college team shows you why Ayton is a top prospect.
Room for improvement: Ayton has the kind of exceptional gifts to dominate an NCAA tournament team as a sophomore in high school, but his on-off switch can be an issue. There are times when Ayton isn't focused and completely engaged.
Recruiting rundown: Things have been quiet for this likely one-and-done big man, but Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland and San Diego State have all been linked to the 7-footer.
2. Trevon Duval, Point Guard
24 of 25
Measurables: 6'3", 175 lbs
High school and hometown: Advanced Preparatory International (Dallas, Texas); New Castle, Delaware
Why he's special: Trevon Duval now plays at Advanced Preparatory International in Texas, and he's an exciting and athletic guard. The native of Delaware can play above the rim, get by you with his quickness and has unbelievable body control. Coupled with his skill level as an incredibly fast dribbler who can pass and shoot, Duval is a special talent. He has the athleticism and skill to be one of the best guard prospects in recent memory.
Room for improvement: Like many young guards with that much talent, Duval can force things too much and have too many turnovers. His jumper is also a bit inconsistent in some games, and some of the shots that Duval can take are questionable.
Recruiting rundown: Schools such as Louisville, Maryland, Syracuse, Kansas, Villanova, Indiana and Arizona have offered, and the Terps have been able to recently get Duval on campus.
1. Wendell Carter, Center
25 of 25Measurables: 6'10", 258 lbs
High school and hometown: Pace Academy; Atlanta, Georgia
Why he's special: A gifted big man with great hands and a high skill level, Wendell Carter is an elite long-term prospect and as talented a big man in his class. One of the best rebounders in the country, Carter cleans up the glass and does a lot of damage as a post scorer. He's also improved his face-up game and range over the last year. The ball just always seems to find him. With his production and overall polish, it's safe to say that Carter will be a great long-term prospect.
Room for improvement: It's hard to nitpick a big man with so many tools, but Carter could stand to refine his post moves and countermoves—especially when he starts regularly facing double-teams.
Recruiting rundown: Carter recently took an unofficial visit to Duke, and other schools such as Auburn, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina have been involved.
All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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