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Updated Ranking of the Top 10 College Basketball Recruits in Class of 2018

Scott PhillipsAug 4, 2016

The Class of 2018 will be juniors this fall, but they don't have as much star hype as the past few years.

There is still plenty of time to go before these guys play a game of college basketball, so many of these players could significantly improve over the next few months to become household names. 

While the Class of 2018 are led at the top by Arizona native and big man Marvin Bagley, a few other players showed some great stretches of play during summer that has put them in the top 10.

Many of these players have played up against older competition in either shoe company leagues, national camps or USA Basketball, so we already have a feel for some who have been very productive at the highest level.

Here's a list of the top 10 prospects to watch in the Class of 2018.

10. Miles Norris, Forward

1 of 10

Measurables: 6'10", 190 pounds

High School and hometown: Mater Dei Catholic; Chula Vista, California

Why he's special: With good size and a developing skill level, Norris is the type of intriguing prospect who is just skimming the surface of his vast potential. Over the last few months, Norris has become far more aggressive as a scorer while also showing improvement as a rebounder. With an ability to play well above the rim and a developing jumper, Norris has room to grow as a scorer. 

Room for improvement: Adding strength will be a huge part of Norris reaching his full potential since he's currently so skinny. If Norris can add weight to be more of a factor around the basket, then his size and athleticism could help him become a better rebounder. He will look to improve his consistency on the perimeter jumper as well.

Recruiting rundown: In July, Norris was starting to get more high-major recruiting attention, as he told Bleacher Report that Arizona, Cal, Oklahoma, Oregon and San Diego State were the schools on him the hardest. Other schools have also started to jump in the mix, including Duke, Gonzaga, North Carolina, UCLA, UNLV and Virginia.

9. Javonte Smart, Point Guard

2 of 10

Measurables: 6'4", 185 pounds 

High School and hometown: Scotlandville Magnet; Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Why he's special: A tall point guard who can run an offense or play a bit off the ball, Smart has played in some high-level competitions against older players the last two summers. After playing in the Nike EYBL last year, Smart was good in the Under Armour Association and was also a key guard for the USA Basketball U17 world championship team. Smart is great in the open floor and improved defensively this summer.

Room for improvement: Smart is a double-figure scorer who can find open teammates for easy shots, but he has to improve his efficiency as a scorer. If Smart can figure out a few spots on the floor where he can easily make shots or get fouled, he can let his 80 percent foul shooting do the rest instead of some of the poor shots he currently takes. Like many young guards, Smart also needs to improve at limiting turnovers. 

Recruiting rundown: There hasn't been a lot of recruiting info that Smart has made public, but he told Bleacher Report in the spring that Baylor, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, UMass and Wake Forest were some of the schools recruiting him hard. Kentucky and North Carolina have also started to get involved.

8. Bol Bol, Center

3 of 10

Measurables: 6'11", 190 pounds

High School and hometown: Bishop Miege; Mission, Kansas

Why he's special: The immediate thing that jumps out about Bol Bol is his skill level, as the son of former NBA center Manute Bol has a lot to work with. Bol is the rare prospect who can protect the rim on one end and stretch the floor and hit three-pointers on the other. With an ability to handle the ball a bit and also run the floor well for a center, Bol has a lot going for him as a long-term prospect.

Room for improvement: Much like his father, Bol is incredibly skinny and will need to put on weight and add strength to compete in the post at the next level. Strength is also an issue for Bol because he can't establish post position very easily; he'll also need to work on his post scoring to go to work on smaller defenders. Rebounding can also be a challenge for Bol because his core and leg strength is lacking.

Recruiting rundown: Local high-major programs have been aggressive pursuing Bol, as Kansas has already had him on campus for an unofficial visit while extending a scholarship offer. Creighton, Kansas State, Missouri and Oklahoma have also been involved, as well as out-of-area high-majors like St. John's. 

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7. Simi Shittu, Power Forward

4 of 10

Measurables: 6'8", 210 pounds 

High School and hometown: Montverde Academy; Burlington, Ontario

Why he's special: A run-and-jump forward who is quick off the floor, Shittu was highly productive in the Nike EYBL this spring and summer and also played a key part in the Canada U17 FIBA World Championship team. Because he moves so well, Shittu is able to face up and attack slower post players and he's rebounded well at all levels.

Room for improvement: Although Shittu is a great athlete who can make plays around the basket, he still needs to work on his ball-handling and jump shooting for the next levels. Shittu doesn't have much offense that he provides away from the basket, so developing some perimeter skills would help. In the post, Shittu doesn't have a go-to move either, as he could stand to develop a bit as a post scorer.

Recruiting rundown: Things have been pretty quiet on the recruiting front for the Canadian, but he mentioned to Scout.com's Josh Gershon back in June that Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Washington were the three schools currently recruiting him the hardest. 

6. Louis King, Small Forward

5 of 10

Measurables: 6'8", 195 pounds

High School and hometown: Hudson Catholic; Burlington, New Jersey

Why he's special: Jumbo wings are a huge priority for some schools, and King fits the mold as a wing who can rebound and also hit perimeter shots. During the summer, King played on a loaded Sports U 16s team with multiple high-major prospects and he stood out because of how smooth and easy the game seems to come to him. King has a lot of natural upside and his perimeter shooting makes him a unique prospect.

Room for improvement: Finding and honing a killer instinct as a scorer is the next step for King, since he has a tendency to float in and out of games sometimes. Adding strength will be a big part of that so that he can handle contact if he has to play near the basket, and he can also work on his scoring from the mid-post and in.

Recruiting rundown: Indiana and Syracuse have been aggressive recruiting King as they've handed out scholarship offers, while Cal, Iowa, Maryland, North Carolina, Seton Hall, Temple, UConn and VCU have also been involved. King hasn't taken any unofficial visits yet, but he has attended games at Seton Hall and Temple.

5. Cameron Reddish, Small Forward

6 of 10

Measurables: 6'8", 195 pounds 

High School and hometown: Westtown School; Norristown, Pennsylvania

Why he's special: Not many wing forwards are naturally talented like Reddish, who can score all over the floor while also doing other things. Reddish averaged 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game in the Nike EYBL. 

Room for improvement: Reddish could be a bit more efficient as a scorer, but he can go on runs where he scores from anywhere. Getting a more consistent three-point shot is important for his development. Adding strength will also help him absorb contact and finish around the basket instead of shooting so many free throws.

Recruiting rundown: Still wide open in the process, schools including Alabama, Arizona, Auburn, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami, Penn State, Syracuse, VCU and Villanova have been linked to Reddish this summer as he's one of the most sought-after recruits in the country.

4. Jordan Brown, Power Forward

7 of 10

Measurables: 6'10", 190 pounds

High School and hometown: Woodcreek High School; Roseville, California

Why he's special: A talented big man who can score in creative and unique ways with either hand, Brown is developing nicely as a skilled power forward. A solid rebounder and shot-blocker, Brown moves well for his size and is developing footwork in the post. 

Room for improvement: Brown can go periods of time where he isn't fully engaged in some games, which can hurt his production. Adding strength will also be important because Brown is going to have a lot of defenders trying to muscle him away from the hoop as far as possible. Continuing to add range won't hurt Brown's game either.

Recruiting rundown: Mostly focused on basketball at this point, rather than all the off-court tasks that come along with the recruiting process, the California native has been linked to a lot of in-state schools like Cal and UCLA, as well as another Pac-12 school in Arizona. 

3. Zion Williamson, Small Forward

8 of 10

Measurables: 6'7", 220 pounds

High School and hometown: Spartanburg Day School; Spartanburg, South Carolina

Why he's special: Despite not being in the best of shape right now, Williamson springs off the floor like few his size can as he can out-rebound bigger opponents and dunk over frontcourt opposition. Also displaying a skill level that includes great passing (including outlet passing) and an improving face-up game, there is a lot to be excited about with Williamson.

Room for improvement: Conditioning is going to be one thing to keep an eye on with Williamson, as he hasn't been in peak condition yet. Perimeter shooting is also a bit of an issue for Williamson as he hasn't attempted many three-pointers during the spring and summer. 

Recruiting rundown: Already having taken unofficial visits to Clemson, North Carolina and NC State, Williamson is starting to learn about the schools recruiting him. Others who have offered include Arizona, Auburn, Baylor, Georgia, Oregon and South Carolina. Duke and Kentucky are also showing a lot of interest so far.

2. Romeo Langford, Shooting Guard

9 of 10

Measurables: 6'5", 191 pounds

High School and hometown: New Albany Senior; New Albany, Indiana

Why he's special: Two-way shooting guards with athleticism and skill can be hard to find, but Langford is close to becoming a complete player. With long arms and good burst, Langford can score from all over the floor, rebound well from the backcourt and can also defend multiple spots. Langford is versatile and has a strong basketball IQ.

Room for improvement: While Langford is talented enough to pop off for a 40-point game, he also needs to maintain consistent focus to stay a top prospect. There were times in big events during the summer when Langford didn't stand out and there were games where he could be more assertive hunting his own offense. 

Recruiting rundown: Heavy hitters like Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville and UCLA have already offered Langford a scholarship as he'll likely take his time and wait to see where a few others commit first. Langford told me that his decision is looking like a spring one during his senior year, so there's a bit to go on this one.

1. Marvin Bagley, Power Forward

10 of 10

Measurables: 6'10", 190 pounds

High School and hometown: Sierra Canyon School; Tempe, Arizona

Why he's special: The clear top player in the Class of 2018, Bagley has the kind of rare talent and athleticism for his size that would make him a contender to be No. 1 in any class. Possessing a high skill level with great leaping ability, Bagley is a double-double machine and averaged 20 and 10 this spring in the Nike EYBL.

Room for improvement: There are times when Bagley wants to show that he has perimeter skills so he'll settle for too many three-pointers. At only 19 percent from there this spring, Bagley's shot selection stands to improve. Still also adjusting to facing constant double- and triple-teams, Bagley can turn the ball over sometimes as well. Since Bagley has solid vision, this is a correctable problem.

Recruiting rundown: Over the summer, Bagley said he's down to six schools as Arizona, Arizona State, Duke, Kentucky, Oregon and UCLA are all still involved. As the top prospect in his class, Bagley can wait to pick and choose where he wants to go, so it will be interesting to see if he takes any official visits during the winter of his junior year.

Recruiting ratings via 247Sports.

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

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