2009 Pre-Summer Top 50, 20 To Watch in 2010

Yesterday it was the pre-summer top 100 for the class of 2008, today it’s time to unveil a first look at the classes of 2009 and 2010.

At this point it would be hard to go much further than 50 deep in the class of 2009 and there is sure to be plenty of change and movement over the next couple of years as these guys mature and new players emerge. The choice for number one wasn’t an easy one but Xavier Henry wins out -- for now at least -- because of his excellent size, advanced game and consistency. However, a strong case could likely be made for any of the first four guys on this list.

For 2010, there will only be a list of 20 guys to watch for down the road. Some may end up as elite level players and there’s a good chance that some won’t. So, it’s important to note that the initial list of 20 isn’t any, way, shape or form a ranking of that class. It’s far too early to be ranking the class, but most of these guys have managed to generate some early attention at a fairly high level.

As always, only players that have been watched will be considered and this is just one man’s opinion. There are sure to be players that some will feel are under/over rated but the point is to take these as they are intended and that’s to maybe generate some conversation and get one person’s view.

1. Xavier Henry, 6-6 WG, Oklahoma City (OK) Putnam City
2. Renardo Sidney, 6-9 BF, Lakewood (CA) Artesia
3. Derrick Favors, 6-9 C/BF, Atlanta (GA) South
4. Lance Stephenson, 6-5 WG/WF, Brooklyn (NY) Lincoln
5. DeMarcus Cousins, 6-9 BF, Birmingham (AL) Erwin
6. John Riek, 7-1 C, Centerreach (NY) Our Savior New American
7. Isaiah Armwood, 6-8 BF/WF, Rockville (MD) Montrose Christian
8. Leslie McDonald, 6-4 WG, Memphis (TN) Briarcrest
9. Dominic Cheek, 6-6 WF/WG, Jersey City (NJ) St. Anthony
10. Deshawn Painter, 6-9 C/BF, Norfolk (VA) Booker T. Washington
11. Jordan Hamilton, 6-6 WF, Los Angeles (CA) Dorsey
12. Nolan Dennis, 6-4 WG, Richland Hills (TX) Richland
13. Dexter Strickland, 6-4 WG, Elizabeth (NJ) St. Patrick
14. Hollis Thompson, 6-7 WF, Los Angeles (CA) Loyola
15. Kenny Boynton, 6-2 WG, Plantation (FL) American Heritage
16. Elijah Johnson, 6-2 PG/WG, North Las Vegas (NV) Cheyenne
17. Jamil Wilson, 6-7 BF/WF, Racine (WI) Horlick
18. Daniel Orton, 6-9 C, Oklahoma City (OK) Bishop McGuiness
19. DaShonte Riley, 6-11 C, Beverly Hills (MI) Detroit Country Day
20. Ari Stewart, 6-6 WF, Marietta (GA) Wheeler
21. Reeves Nelson, 6-7 BF, Modesto (CA) Christian
22. Noel Johnson, 6-6 WG/WF, Fayetteville (GA) Fayette County
23. Keith “Tiny” Gallon, 6-8 C/BF, Humble (TX) Atascocita
24. Karron Johnson, 6-8 BF/WF, Durham (NC) Mt. Zion
25. Peyton Siva, 5-11 PG, Seattle (WA) Franklin
26. Durand Scott, 6-4 WG/WF, Manhattan (NY) Rice
27. Rodney Williams, 6-5 WF/WG, New Hope (MN) Robbinsdale Cooper
28. Shawn Williams, 6-6 WF, Duncanville (TX) High
29. David Wear, 6-9 BF, Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei
30. Alex Oriakhi, 6-9 C/BF, Winchendon (MA) School
31. Greg Smith, 6-8 C/BF, Fresno (CA) Edison
32. Christian Watford, 6-8 WF/BF, Trussville (AL) Hewitt-Trussville
33. Travis Wear, 6-9 BF, Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei
34. Mfon Udofia, 6-1 PG, Lithonia (GA) Miller Grove
35. Maurice Creek, 6-4 WG, Oxon Hill (MD) High
36. Lorenzo Brown, 6-4 WG, Roswell (GA) Centennial
37. Tyler Griffey, 6-9 BF, Wildwood (MO) Lafayette
38. Tristin Spurlock, 6-6 WF, Rockville (MD) Montrose Christian
39. Dontae Taylor, 6-8 BF, Fort Washington (MD) National Christian
40. John Henson, 6-9 BF, Round Rock (TX) High
41. Richard Howell, 6-7 BF/WF, Lawrenceville (GA) Central Gwinnett
42. Stephan Van Treese, 6-9 BF/C, Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence North
43. Jared Cunningham, 6-2 PG, San Leandro (CA) High
44. Shaunessy Smith, 6-5 WG, Macon (MS) Noxubee County
45. Terrence Boyd, 6-5 WF, Norman (OK) High
46. Avery Bradley, 6-2 WG/PG, Tacoma (WA) Bellarmine Prep
47. Wally Judge, 6-8 BF, Bladensburg (MD) High
48. Abdul Gaddy, 6-1 PG, Tacoma (WA) Bellarmine Prep
49. Michael Dixon, 6-0 PG, Lee’s Summit (MO) West
50. Victor Rudd, 6-7 WF, Sylmar (CA) High

20 TO WATCH IN 2010

C.J. Aiken, 6-9 BF, Wyndmoor (PA) LaSalle

Evan Anderson, 6-11 C, Eau Claire (WI) North

Harrison Barnes, 6-4 WG, Ames (IA) High

Daniel Broughton, 6-7 BF, Pine Bluff (AR) Watson Chapel

Reggie Bullock, 6-5 WG, Kinston (NC) High

Tony Chenault, 6-1 PG, Philadelphia (PA) Neumann-Gorretti

Flavien Davis, 6-5 WG/PG, Milwaukee (WI) Wisconsin Lutheran

Dominique Ferguson, 6-8 BF/WF, Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence North

Chad Jackson, 6-3 WG, Ashland (KY) Rose Hill

Anthony Johnson, 6-3 WG/PG, Chicago (IL) Whitney Young

Brandon Knight, 6-3 PG/WG, Fort Lauderdale (FL) Pine Crest

Doron Lamb, 6-3 PG/WG, Brooklyn (NY) Bishop Laughlin

Josh Langford, 6-5 WF/WG, Huntsville (AL) J.O. Johnson

C.J. Leslie, 6-7 WF/BF, Holly Springs (NC) High- NC STATE

Kendall Marshall, 6-1 PG, Arlington (VA) Bishop O’Connell

Ray McCallum, Jr., 5-11 PG, Bloomington (IN) North

Dwayne Polee, 6-7 WF/BF, Los Angeles (CA) Westchester- SOUTHERN CAL

Jereme Richmond, Winnetka (IL) North Shore Country Day- ILLINOIS

Ralston Turner, 6-5 WG, Muscle Shoals (AL) High

Jeremy Tyler, 6-10 C/BF, San Diego (CA) High