1. Malik Monk, 6-4 SG, Bentonville, Class of 2016 ... I believe he is the best HS player ever in this state, and being Top 5 nationally in what is considered a very deep class loaded with talent helps make the argument. Fantastic offensive player who's court awareness has really gotten better over the past year ... still needs to add upper-body strength, improve handles, and lock in defensively. If he plays in the SEC (Kentucky or Arkansas), I believe he will be the best SG to come into the league since Bradley Beal entered as a Gator in 2011. Monk has elite athleticism, confident shooting stroke from deep, and is deft with both hands improvising with the basketball to react to defenders as he drives to the basket. His confidence and understanding in tight, late-game situations is outstanding. I would have liked to see more improvement in the handles (he has improved here) and defense compared to this time last year, but he still has another season of HS ball to continue to work on those areas of his game. Offers include Kentucky, Kansas, Arkansas, Baylor, Oregon, Florida State, and many, many more. Can't miss 5-star.
2. Daniel Gafford, 6-9 PF/C, El Dorado, Class of 2017 ... Just a week ago, he stood out as THE BIG among BIGS on a court loaded with high-major talent against the likes of 6-9 Mitchell Smith, 6-7 Eric Curry, an 7-2 Connor Vanover. He had a solid Nike Elite 100 camp in June, and continued to impress this week in the Nike EBYL Peach Jam, where he led the 16U Wings to the title game. One service already has him ranked the 39th prospect nationally -- a 4-star -- for the Class of 2017, and my guess is he may climb into the Top 25-30 by the time he is playing his junior season at El Dorado. This guy is getting stronger physically -- has the frame to add weight without losing agility -- but he plays strong mentally, meaning he is unafraid to attack the glass and rim against contact. He's between 6-9 and 6-10, but my guess is his wing-span is at least 7-2. With quick ups and very good athleticism, this guy is going to be a very good rebounder and shot-blocker at the next level, and his offense is just now starting to catch up. He keeps the ball up high (chest level or higher) off the catch, and is quick to turn, rise quickly or get into someone's chest if necessary, and he get' the ball up with touch and purpose off a high-release point -- reminds me a little of Rasheed Wallace in this regard. Potential for this kid to be one of the best bigs to ever come out of Arkansas. He's been offered by all the in-state D1 schools other than Arkansas, and it has been reported elsewhere that Buzz Williams / Virginia Tech gave him his first high-major offer.
3. Connor Vanover, 7-2 PF/C, Arkansas Baptist, Class of 2018 ... I am amazed at how quickly he has improved his mobility and agility ... still a very long way to go, but he's got 3 more years of HS. He's a real threat -- inside and out -- because of his soft hands, shooting skill, BBall IQ, and determination to be a factor at 7-2 other than just the height. Just watching him catch, set, square, and fire from deep reminds me a little of Dirk Nowitzki. And his post-catch-turn-and-shoot game on the block may be slow and methodical, but it's virtually impossible to defend without weakside help, and even then he still gets good looks with poise and shooting skill to finish. Still not mobile or agile enough to be a difference-maker as a rebounder and shot-blocker, and still lacks the strength to move people around inside or nail down his post position, but I believe he is worse-case a high-level 4-star prospect. Will be a lot of fun to watch him develop over the next 3 years.
4. Mitchell Smith, 6-9 PF, Van Buren, Class of 2016 ... slender at 6-9, but athletic, can run the floor well for a big, and has excellent facing skills with the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish at the basket with either hand. BUT, he lacks strength and mental toughness in the paint. He's agile but does not have a high motor -- seems to hesitate and react slowly to the action inside. The last time I saw him, he had improved his movement -- proactive and reactive -- to a point that he was effective at blocking some shots and deflecting passes and getting to loose balls. Still, it's way too easy to move him around inside, and he does not post or defend down low with a purpose. This is why he is still a 3-star talent and probably a 'tweener in regards to being mid-to-high-major caliber. Offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Tennessee (at one time), Creighton, and Tulsa. I rank him ahead of Eric Curry only because his skill set is better, because he is a bit taller, and because I think the potential is there for him to be a better player at the next level than Curry. Basing it off high motor and activity, though ...
5. Eric Curry, 6-7 F, LR Southwest Christian Academy by way of Memphis, Class of 2016 ... slender at 6-7 to 6-8, but I absolutely love the way Curry plays as though his hair is on fire, at both ends all the time. He is very limited in the strength, size, and skill department, but he battles no matter the situation. He gets points and boards simply by being more active than the other guy. I believe he has offers to VCU and Oklahoma State, and more are sure to come given he'll be playing alongside PG Tyrik Dixon, who will continue to feed him the ball at LRSWCA. Unafraid to mix it up, I'm not sure his slender frame at 6-7 translates well to high-major because his skill level appears to me to be below average. Now, I believe he leads the Wings in FG% and is second in scoring this summer, but again, a lot of that is trash buckets and fast-break points. His hands are not soft, he does not have a post move that I've seen, and when he faces just 10 feet and in, his shots seem to clank a lot. Basing it solely on what he just did in the 17U EBYL circuit this spring/summer, he would be No. 4 on this list ... but, projecting ahead, I have him at No. 5.
2. Daniel Gafford, 6-9 PF/C, El Dorado, Class of 2017 ... Just a week ago, he stood out as THE BIG among BIGS on a court loaded with high-major talent against the likes of 6-9 Mitchell Smith, 6-7 Eric Curry, an 7-2 Connor Vanover. He had a solid Nike Elite 100 camp in June, and continued to impress this week in the Nike EBYL Peach Jam, where he led the 16U Wings to the title game. One service already has him ranked the 39th prospect nationally -- a 4-star -- for the Class of 2017, and my guess is he may climb into the Top 25-30 by the time he is playing his junior season at El Dorado. This guy is getting stronger physically -- has the frame to add weight without losing agility -- but he plays strong mentally, meaning he is unafraid to attack the glass and rim against contact. He's between 6-9 and 6-10, but my guess is his wing-span is at least 7-2. With quick ups and very good athleticism, this guy is going to be a very good rebounder and shot-blocker at the next level, and his offense is just now starting to catch up. He keeps the ball up high (chest level or higher) off the catch, and is quick to turn, rise quickly or get into someone's chest if necessary, and he get' the ball up with touch and purpose off a high-release point -- reminds me a little of Rasheed Wallace in this regard. Potential for this kid to be one of the best bigs to ever come out of Arkansas. He's been offered by all the in-state D1 schools other than Arkansas, and it has been reported elsewhere that Buzz Williams / Virginia Tech gave him his first high-major offer.
3. Connor Vanover, 7-2 PF/C, Arkansas Baptist, Class of 2018 ... I am amazed at how quickly he has improved his mobility and agility ... still a very long way to go, but he's got 3 more years of HS. He's a real threat -- inside and out -- because of his soft hands, shooting skill, BBall IQ, and determination to be a factor at 7-2 other than just the height. Just watching him catch, set, square, and fire from deep reminds me a little of Dirk Nowitzki. And his post-catch-turn-and-shoot game on the block may be slow and methodical, but it's virtually impossible to defend without weakside help, and even then he still gets good looks with poise and shooting skill to finish. Still not mobile or agile enough to be a difference-maker as a rebounder and shot-blocker, and still lacks the strength to move people around inside or nail down his post position, but I believe he is worse-case a high-level 4-star prospect. Will be a lot of fun to watch him develop over the next 3 years.
4. Mitchell Smith, 6-9 PF, Van Buren, Class of 2016 ... slender at 6-9, but athletic, can run the floor well for a big, and has excellent facing skills with the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish at the basket with either hand. BUT, he lacks strength and mental toughness in the paint. He's agile but does not have a high motor -- seems to hesitate and react slowly to the action inside. The last time I saw him, he had improved his movement -- proactive and reactive -- to a point that he was effective at blocking some shots and deflecting passes and getting to loose balls. Still, it's way too easy to move him around inside, and he does not post or defend down low with a purpose. This is why he is still a 3-star talent and probably a 'tweener in regards to being mid-to-high-major caliber. Offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Tennessee (at one time), Creighton, and Tulsa. I rank him ahead of Eric Curry only because his skill set is better, because he is a bit taller, and because I think the potential is there for him to be a better player at the next level than Curry. Basing it off high motor and activity, though ...
5. Eric Curry, 6-7 F, LR Southwest Christian Academy by way of Memphis, Class of 2016 ... slender at 6-7 to 6-8, but I absolutely love the way Curry plays as though his hair is on fire, at both ends all the time. He is very limited in the strength, size, and skill department, but he battles no matter the situation. He gets points and boards simply by being more active than the other guy. I believe he has offers to VCU and Oklahoma State, and more are sure to come given he'll be playing alongside PG Tyrik Dixon, who will continue to feed him the ball at LRSWCA. Unafraid to mix it up, I'm not sure his slender frame at 6-7 translates well to high-major because his skill level appears to me to be below average. Now, I believe he leads the Wings in FG% and is second in scoring this summer, but again, a lot of that is trash buckets and fast-break points. His hands are not soft, he does not have a post move that I've seen, and when he faces just 10 feet and in, his shots seem to clank a lot. Basing it solely on what he just did in the 17U EBYL circuit this spring/summer, he would be No. 4 on this list ... but, projecting ahead, I have him at No. 5.
Last edited:
