College Basketball Recruiting: Top 15 High Schoolers and Their NBA Counterparts

In professional sports, athletes are constantly being compared to one another. At the high school and college level, it is an even more commonly occurring theme. The media is always looking for the "next" Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.

There are many athletes in the current batch of high school stud basketball players whose skills on the court mimic either past, current or future NBA players.

While we have no future Jordans on this list, you will find several star-studded youngsters with tools comparable to some of our country's finest NBA ballers.

Shabazz Muhammad

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 215 pounds

Position: Shooting guard

Class: Senior

NBA Comparison: James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder

Projected NBA Statistics: 18.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists

Analysis: Hands-down the best high school basketball player in the United States. Expect him to spend a season dominating the college game before taking his enormous talents to the NBA, where he should also flourish.

Jabari Parker

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 220 pounds

Position: Small forward

Class: Junior

NBA Comparison: Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Projected NBA Statistics: 23.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists

Analysis: The swing forward has a smooth game and easily can play inside or out. He revamped his body this spring, and the results showed in his game. He can take over a game in many ways, which will be a joy for both his future college and NBA coaches.

Julius Randle

Height: 6'9"

Weight: 225 pounds

Position: Small/power forward

Class: Junior

NBA Comparison: Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia 76ers

Projected NBA Statistics: 19.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists

Analysis: The athletic swingman has a game that compares favorably to Sixer Thaddeus Young, but the youngster Randle has the upside to have a much brighter career than his counterpart.

He is a do-it-all forward who has a legitimate shot at becoming a college All-American before his departure to the NBA, much like his other clone, Kentucky power forward Terrence Jones.

Kyle Anderson

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 215 pounds

Position: Point guard

Class: Senior

NBA Comparison: Shaun Livingston, Milwaukee Bucks

Projected NBA Statistics: 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.7 assists

Analysis: The jumbo point guard has size that most lead guards can only dream of. Before injuries derailed his career, Shaun Livingston showed flashes of his All-Pro potential at the high school level, much like Anderson.

Anderson has a much higher basketball I.Q., but lacks the athleticism of the Milwaukee Buck. The future UCLA Bruin has a very bright basketball future.

Nerlens Noel

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 215 pounds

Position: Power forward/center

Class: Junior

NBA Comparison: Marcus Camby, Portland Trail Blazers

Projected NBA Statistics: 12.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 blocks

Analysis: The best shot-blocker to venture through the high school ranks since 2006 when Greg Oden was dominating high school ball, Nerlens Noel has a rare knack for blocking and altering opposing teams' shots.

He is the definition of a game-changer, and is capable of setting college records with his shot-swatting ability.

Mitch McGary

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 250 pounds

Position: Power forward

Class: Senior

NBA Comparison: Tyler Hansbrough, Indiana Pacers/David Lee, Golden State Warriors

Projected NBA Statistics: 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks

Analysis: The high-motored power forward is another prospect who changed his body over the past year, and the results showed with his play. He will be an immediate impact player in college, and he is capable of willing himself to a highly productive college and professional career.

Kaleb Tarczewski

Height: 7'0"

Weight: 220 pounds

Position: Center

Class: Senior

NBA Comparison: Byron Mullens, Oklahoma City Thunder

Projected NBA Statistics: 13.3 points, 11.1 rebounds

Analysis: Don't be fooled by the NBA comparison, it's not a knock on Tarczewski. I'm merely saying that for his size, they both are blessed with phenomenal athletic ability for 7-footers.

However, what the Arizona-bound big man does with his ability from here on out has yet to be determined. The potential is there for a long and prosperous NBA career with the skills he already has in place.

Isaiah Austin

Height: 7'0"

Weight: 215 pounds

Position: Power forward/center

Class: Senior

NBA Comparison: Jonathan Bender, Former McDonald's All-American and NBA player

Projected NBA Statistics: 10.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks

Analysis: The 7-footer has shooting and ball-handling skills rarely found in high school players. His game compares to former McDonald's All-American and preps-to-pros player Jonathan Bender. He can dominate a game from the post or from the perimeter. With more seasoning, the kid can be special.

Jarnell Stokes

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 240 pounds

Position: Power forward

Class: Senior

NBA Comparison: DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs

Projected NBA Statistics: 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds

Analysis: The Memphis native has a rare body type. He is a beefy and chiseled prospect capable of pounding and grinding post players or running the floor and finishing in transition. You can expect a stellar college career followed by a mediocre professional career, at the least.

Yogi Ferrell

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 165 pounds

Position: Point guard

Class: Senior

NBA Comparison: Terrell Brandon, Former NBA All-Star

Projected NBA Statistics: 5.3 points, 5.6 assists, 2.1 steals 

Analysis: The future Indiana Hoosier has been dominating the competition for years, even though naysayers have been doubting him because of his stature. He is a special player who is going to have a special career. He can get into the lane whenever he pleases, and has great vision. 

Rodney Purvis

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 195 pounds

Position: Shooting guard

Class: Senior

NBA Comparison: Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons

Projected NBA Statistics: 16.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.1 rebounds

Analysis: The physically mature shooting guard takes the ball to the hoop relentlessly, while showcasing a beautiful jump shot. He is looking to mature into a full-time point guard, but is a more-than-capable next-level shooting guard.

Archie Goodwin

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 180

Position: Point guard/shooting guard

Class: Senior

NBA Comparison: Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings

Projected NBA Statistics: 16.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists

Analysis: The Arkansas native is a long and athletic guard. He specializes in one-on-one situations but is also a talented passer and playmaker. Look for Kentucky coach John Calipari to mold the talented Goodwin into a future NBA force.

Brandon Ashley

Height: 6'8" 

Weight: 225 pounds

Position: Power forward/small forward

Class: Senior

NBA Comparison: Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks/Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Projected NBA Statistics: 18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists

Analysis: Brandon Ashley is an energetic forward with serious bounce. Headed for Arizona next year, he combines his elite athleticism with a fundamentally savvy inside game, making him a unique prospect. Once he gets to Tucson, look for his game to really take off.

Dajuan Coleman

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 280 pounds

Position: Power forward/center

Class: Senior

NBA Comparison: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Buckeyes (Future NBA Lottery Pick)

Projected NBA Statistics: 11.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.5 blocks

Analysis: Dajuan Coleman is a large prospect, already bigger than many NBA frontcourt players. He knows how to use his body inside, carving out space for scoring and rebounding opportunities.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim will only further his already advanced game, readying him for the rigors of professional basketball inside the paint.

Andrew Wiggins

Height: 6'7"

Weight: 190 pounds

Position: Small forward

Class: Sophomore

NBA Comparison: Scottie Pippen, retired NBA Hall-of-Famer

Projected NBA Statistics: 20.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists

Analysis: The 16-year-old Wiggins has an extremely advanced game. He has the skill set to dominate almost every other player in America right now...which doesn't bode well for guys playing against him when he is a senior. Whichever school lands him will be getting an elite talent capable of taking a team to a Final Four as a freshman.