College Basketball Recruiting: High School's 20 Most Showstopping Athletes

Every single basketball fan on the planet is mesmerized by a player who can dunk. Whether it be young prodigies who haven't reached high school yet or hulking NBA prospects who have been doing it for years, everyone loves a showstopping athlete.

As the game of basketball has evolved over the years, so have the players. More and more of the athletes look to finish plays with powerful exclamation points, which they know will cause professional arenas and packed high school gyms alike to erupt.

However, fans aren't only mesmerized by slam dunks. They are also captivated by young superstars who can thoroughly dominate games. Whether it be with overwhelming skill sets, ability to blocks shots or their use of superb court vision, America loves its stars.

Here are the 20 most showstopping athletes that high school basketball has to offer.

1. Shaquille Johnson

Why is he on the list?

The 6'5" small forward is without a doubt the most gifted athlete in the country.

His dunking ability will put him in the books as the best in Georgia's illustrious high school hoops' history. He is a steal for Auburn head coach Tony Barbee.

2. Shabazz Muhammad

Why is he on the list?

He is the most complete offensive player in America right now.

Along with being one of the best "posterizing" athletes in the country, he is just as capable of dropping long-range jump shots, making dazzling passes and pulling down gravity-defying rebounds on a regular basis.

3. J.P. Tokoto

Why is he on the list?

The 6'6" future North Carolina Tar Heel has bounce like very few others. He is capable of rising in traffic for breathtaking tip-dunks, or slashing to the rim and exploding off the hardwood en route to a rim-shaking assault.

He will be a fan-favorite as soon as he steps on campus for Roy Williams and his staff.

4. Chris Walker

Why is he on the list?

While there are usually an abundance of shooting guards and small forwards who are extremely athletic, it is very rare that you find a player who stands 6'10" and is capable of doing what Chris Walker does.

Athletically, he is a player in the mold of Perry Jones III, who is a projected NBA lottery pick in next year's draft. 

5. Justin Anderson

Why is he on the list?

Another player who made the list because of his off-the-charts athletic ability, Justin Anderson has always been feared for his dunking ability. However, now he is starting to terrorize opponents in other ways on the court.

His game is rapidly improving, and the 6'5" muscular guard is a steal for Tony Bennett and the University of Virginia next season.

6. Hanner Perea

Why is he on the list?

The 6'8", fully-sculpted power forward displays powerful post moves that usually end in rim-wrecking dunks.

The future Indiana Hoosier is one of the crown jewels in Tom Crean's nationally touted 2012 recruiting class. Look for him to make plenty of highlights in his freshman season in Bloomington.

7. Julius Randle

Why is he on the list?

While many others on this list "wow" coaches and spectators alike with their natural athletic ability, 6'9" junior Julius Randle gets it done by showing off a complete skill set at such a young age.

He has the physique of a grown man and a game to match it. Virtually every college coach in America is battling to land him.

8. Jabari Parker

Why is he on the list?

Jabari Parker, 6'8", is looking more and more like the next NBA superstar to be bred on Windy City basketball courts.

He, like classmate Julius Randle, possesses an extremely advanced set of skills at a young age. Derrick Rose is now, and Jabari Parker has "next" for the city of Chicago.

9. Aquille Carr

Why is he on the list?

The 5'7" speedster is the quickest player in the United States at the high school level. Not only can he get to the basket against even the toughest defenders, but he has an incredible knack for scoring against his towering opponents in traffic.

He may not ever have a height advantage, but he always has a heart advantage.

10. Aaron Gordon

Why is he on the list?

Another jumping jack on the basketball court, Aaron Gordon can lay claim to being the best athlete in the junior class.

When the 6'7" small forward isn't abusing rims, he's usually rejecting opponents shots all over the court. The brother of New Mexico star Drew Gordon is making his own name in the sport and is a top-20 recruit.

11. Wayne Selden

Why is he on the list?

The 6'4" sophomore shooting guard may be overshadowed by his superstar high school teammate Nerlens Noel, but he is a star in his own right.

He is the most athletic player in the sophomore class and has made a name for himself nationally because of his aerial displays and his grown-man physique.

12. Nerlens Noel

Why is he on the list?

Absolutely nobody at the high school level can reject shots like Nerlens Noel, and very few at the collegiate and NBA level can either.

What shots he doesn't actually block, he alters and changes a whole offensive attack for the opposing team. Not many players come along containing the defensive gifts he does.

13. Anthony Bennett

Why is he on the list?

The 6'8" power forward is truly a sight to behold. He possesses an extremely rare blend of power and finesse.

He is equally adept at either attacking the basket and dunking like a fleet-footed guard, or posting up on the block and bullying defenders in the paint.

14. Andrew Wiggins

Why is he on the list?

The 6'7" small forward is the top-rated sophomore in the country. His game is absurdly advanced for his age, and he already consistently dominates the opposition.

He already looks very much like a one-and-done prospect at the college level.

15. Rodney Purvis

Why is he on the list?

The 6'5" shooting guard is an explosive athlete who plays the game with his heart on his sleeve. He is working on making a transition to point guard full time, and if he does, it will be disastrous for his opponents.

His blend of speed, power and explosiveness is a dangerous combination.

16. Gabe York

Why is he on the list?

The future Arizona Wildcat is a 6'2", 170-pound spark plug at the point guard/shooting guard position. He is a high-riser and frequently catches defenders sleeping until he rises above them for powerful dunks.

However, his game is more than dunking. His shooting range past three-point range is consistent and deadly.

17. Ricardo Gathers

Why is he on the list?

A breathtaking looking prospect at 6'7" and 240 pounds, you would think that he would be crushing running backs at linebacker.

That's not the case. The power forward bullies his opponents in the paint, and when he isn't doing that, he's dunking everything he can get his hands on.

18. Andrew Harrison

Why is he on the list?

The junior is the best point guard prospect in America. Not only is he blessed with excellent size for the position at 6'5", but he also has terrific court vision and instincts.

There isn't much this guard can't do on the court, and the same can be said about his twin brother Aaron, who is also a high school star.

19. Danuel House

Why is he on the list?

The University of Houston has to be excited about getting Danuel House next season. The 6'6" shooting guard is an absolute monster in transition.

He uses his effortless gliding ability to wreak havoc, racing end-to-end while punctuating plays with electric slam dunks.

20. Noah Vonleh

Why is he on the list?

The 6'7" small forward is rapidly evolving into the second-best sophomore prospect in the United States. He is still growing, and his game is growing as fast as his body.

He is ferocious when finishing plays with dunks, and he snatches rebounds out of the solar system. Keep an eye on him over the next year.