Updated Ranking of the Top 10 College Basketball Recruits in Class of 2017

The end of the Nike Skill Academy and Adidas Nations stops a busy summer of basketball. Many of the nation's top players have been out playing since school let out, and now a lot of players get a break from big national games until the high school season.

The class of 2017, the rising seniors, have to follow in the footsteps of a very strong class of 2016, but the top 10 of this group is very strong, and there are some other quality 5-star players who will push to end up in the final rankings next spring.

While this class lacks a lot of elite guards, there are plenty of big men and a couple of big wings to round out a pretty solid group that should feature a lot of future pros. 

There is still plenty of time to go before senior season and the spring all-star games until we see how these players end up, but here's the current top of the class of 2017.

10. Gary Trent Jr.

Measurables: 6'5", 190 pounds

High School and hometown: Findlay Prep; Saint Paul, Minnesota

Why he's special: Gary Trent Jr. had one of the best summers in the country as a competitive shooting guard who can score from all over the floor. With advanced moves and a great skill level, Trent Jr. can dominate opposing guards with his relentless work ethic and attack mentality.

Room for improvement: Trent Jr. is a tremendous scorer who can really put points on the board, but it remains to be seen if he's great at finding others for easy buckets once the defense collapses. Finishing over length is also something that Trent Jr. could stand to improve.

Recruiting rundown: On Tuesday, Trent Jr. cut his list to Arizona, Duke, Kentucky, Michigan State and UCLA. The Blue Devils have been in strong for a long time, but Trent Jr. said that he's planning to take official visits before his decision.

9. Billy Preston

Measurables: 6'10", 230 pounds

High School and hometown: Oak Hill Academy; Irvine, California

Why he's special: With his size and skill level, Billy Preston can pull off perimeter scoring moves that few players his size can accomplish. Because he can push the ball off rebounds, Preston can hit pull-up jumpers or take the ball to the basket. 

Room for improvement: There are times that Preston doesn't put in the most effort, and it can hurt his production. Turnovers have also hurt Preston at times, and he could stand to improve his perimeter shooting efficiency. 

Recruiting rundown: During July, Preston established four schools as his leaders: Arizona, Kansas, Maryland and USC. If you go by the 247 Sports Crystal Ball, the Trojans are the heavy favorite at 93 percent.

8. Kevin Knox

Measurables: 6'8', 195 pounds

High School and hometown: Tampa Catholic; Tampa, Florida

Why he's special: Possessing freakish leaping ability and great athleticism, Kevin Knox has rapidly climbed the rankings the last year as he has some of the best upside of any player in the class. With great size and that notable leaping ability, Knox is also a good rebounder and defender on the wing.

Room for improvement: Perimeter shooting is the next step in Knox's development, as that area of his game has been a work in progress. Knox has been efficient scoring from other areas of the floor this spring and summer, but he hasn't always been consistent from three-point range.

Recruiting rundown: Florida State is always going to get play since Knox's dad, Kevin Knox, was a prominent wide receiver there. The younger Knox might have his eyes set on Tobacco Road, however, as he's already taken unofficial visits to Duke and North Carolina.

7. Hamidou Diallo

Measurables: 6'5", 195 pounds

High School and hometown: Putnam Science Academy; Queens, New York

Why he's special: Some of the players on this list are freak athletes and then there's Hamidou Diallo. Not many players can burst off the floor like he can, and Diallo's lateral quickness also makes him one of the best perimeter defenders in the class. 

Room for improvement: If Diallo can provide more consistency shooting the ball, then he's going to be a tough cover with the way he attacks the basket. Running hot and cold with his perimeter jumper, Diallo could climb up these rankings even higher if his jumper becomes a weapon.

Recruiting rundown: Still open in the recruiting process, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and UConn have been getting a lot of recent buzz when it comes to Diallo. The New York native has some of college basketball's best programs recruiting, and the No. 1 shooting guard's decision could be critical.

6. Wendell Carter

Measurables: 6'10", 258 pounds

High School and hometown: Pace Academy; Athens, Georgia

Why he's special: There are plenty of talented big men in the class of 2017, but Wendell Carter might be the most polished when it comes to his skill level and post scoring package. Also a leader with his work ethic, Carter has been a key member of two USA Basketball gold-medal teams the last two summers. And you won't find many better rebounders than Carter either.

Room for improvement: With a lot of freakishly athletic big men in this class of 2017, Carter isn't quite on par with those guys, although he's no slouch either. If Carter is conditioned to the best of his abilities, he's going to command frequent double-teams at the college level and be tough to stop.

Recruiting rundown: Carter has publicly stated that he's down to eight schools as Arizona, Cal, Duke, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Harvard, Kentucky and North Carolina are all involved. The Blue Devils are strongly in the mix after having Carter visit campus while Harvard is getting the first official visit and also remains in the mix.

5. Trevon Duval

Measurables: 6'3", 175 pounds

High School and hometown: Advanced Preparatory International; New Castle, Delaware

Why he's special: Not many point guards in high school basketball the last decade have displayed the kind of freakish athleticism and burst that Trevon Duval has. With a competitive fire that always has him playing in attack mode, Duval is nearly impossible to keep out of the paint, and he's the kind of guard who can make tough finishes.

Room for improvement: Jump shooting has not been a strength for Duval as he could stand to expand his range and make himself even tougher to defend. Turnovers have also been a concern with Duval a bit in the past as he's been known to make some reckless plays that he can't keep under control.

Recruiting rundown: Still wide open in the recruiting process, Duval is hearing from schools from coast to coast as he's frequently mentioned Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Villanova and UCLA. It's interesting to note that of the nine predictions in the 247Sports Crystal Ball, all of them are for the Bruins at this point in time. 

4. Mitchell Robinson

Measurables: 7'0", 200 pounds

High School and hometown: Chalmette; Chalmette, Louisiana

Why he's special: When Mitchell Robinson plays, he looks like the fastest player on the court sometimes with how well he moves. That athleticism helped Robinson become the leading shot-blocker in the EYBL, and he also grabbed the most overall rebounds. Robinson is a rare athlete at center.

Room for improvement: Still a little bit raw and unpolished, Robinson is figuring out where he needs to be on the floor at all times. Since he can be caught out of position, Robinson can miss plays or not know what to do once he gets the ball. A go-to post move would also help Robinson against other big men.

Recruiting rundown: New head coach Rick Stansbury already has a signature recruit at Western Kentucky in Robinson, as he committed before the July live evaluation period. Robinson might be the best recruit to ever pledge to the Conference USA school, and his defensive ability will be a major factor from his first game.

3. Mohamed Bamba

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Measurables: 6'11", 207 pounds

High School and hometown: Westtown School; New York, New York

Why he's special: With a freakish 7'9" wingspan, Mohamed Bamba is athletic and has the kind of length that makes everything an issue. One of the EYBL's best rebounders and defenders, Bamba was able to defend in the post and also switch out on to perimeter players.

Room for improvement: Still raw on the offensive end, Bamba is still learning the best position to protect the rim on a lot of possessions on defense. Learning a go-to post move will also be important to Bamba, and he'll have to improve his strength to play in the post against bigger players. 

Recruiting rundown: Bamba is wide open in this recruitment, but Duke, Kentucky and Villanova are in there strong. A true student of the game, Bamba is a unique basketball mind that could make for some interesting schools entering the mix. 

2. Michael Porter Jr.

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Measurables: 6'9", 210 pounds

High School and hometown: Nathan Hale High School; Columbia, Missouri

Why he's special: A do-it-all wing with size and athleticism, Michael Porter is a huge talent with a chip on his shoulder who can rebound and score from all levels. Porter was top five in the EYBL in points and rebounds this spring and dominated Peach Jam on his way to a title with 5-star guard Trae Young.

Room for improvement: This spring, Porter wasn't very good shooting from deep, but it usually didn't matter because he could get to the rim so easily. If Porter can improve his efficiency from three-point range, he'll be an unstoppable force offensively. He can also improve as a defender, especially moving laterally on quicker guys.

Recruiting rundown: After much speculation, Porter Jr. committed to Washington, following in the foot steps of his dad, Michael Porter Sr. The commitment gives Washington a potential No. 1 pick for the second consecutive year, following in the footsteps of Markelle Fultz. 

1. DeAndre Ayton

Measurables: 7'0", 235 pounds

High School and hometown: Hillcrest Hoops; Phoenix, Arizona. Originally from the Bahamas.

Why he's special: It doesn't come very often when a big man at Ayton's size is able to move and play with as much skill. DeAndre Ayton is the kind of athlete who quickly gets off the ground for dunks, rebounds and blocks, and he's also laterally quick enough to guard some wings at the college level. He's also a plus free-throw shooter with a soft and workable jump shot. 

Room for improvement: Ayton's motor has been questioned at times in the past, but he looked fantastic at Peach Jam and was a dominant player. There are also games where Ayton wants to play away from the basket and not fight in the paint to protect the rim or try to score there. If Ayton isn't settling for jumpers, he can be tough to cover.

Recruiting rundown: At Peach Jam, Ayton told reporters that Arizona, Kansas and Kentucky were his top three schools. The Jayhawks have had a coach at every one of Ayton's games in grassroots since freshman year and have been involved the longest.

Recruiting ratings via 247Sports.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information were obtained firsthand.