New England 2012 Rankings Announced

New England Recruiting Report | Monday, February 22nd, 2010

After releasing our updated rankings in each of the New England states a couple of weeks ago today it is time to breakdown the New England sophomore class as a whole.  When it is all said and done the class of 2012 has a chance to go down as one of the most talented in the region’s history. 

At the top of the list is Andre Drummond.  He is a consensus top two player in the country according to every major scouting service by virtue of his long term potential as his physical gifts are off the charts.  While Drummond still has plenty to learn he has made significant strides this year at St. Thomas More, learning to implement his will upon the game and improving his overall understanding of the game. 

Alex Murphy returns to the second spot on our list.  We had the St. Mark’s sophomore slated for number three on this list a month ago but his dominance at the National Prep Showcase in leading his club over Winchendon was too convincing a performance to discredit.  Arguably the smartest and most skilled player on this list, Murphy will have to stay ahead of the pack in those departments with so many incredible athletes giving chase. 

We’ve got Khem Birch coming in at third.  He’s made an immediate impact on the class A level with his tremendous athleticism, unrivaled mobility, and a motor that just won’t quit.  He’s able to dominate a game defensively right now and is more skilled than people give him credit for.  Birch, the 19th best player in the country according to ESPN, is a star in the making by all accounts and capable of playing at the highest level down the road. 

Ricardo Ledo is another guy who we had slated a spot or two lower a month ago, however when you consider his current high level of production against quality competition in addition to the tremendous long term potential he has with his plethora of physical tools and it’s hard to make to keep him out of the first four.  He undoubtedly still has plenty to learn but if he can make good decisions on and off the floor and work hard to continue to develop his game there’s no denying his potential. 

Rounding out the top five is Nerlens Noel, a guy who may have as much long term potential as anyone on this list.  Noel’s defensive abilities and basketball instincts are absolutely off the charts as he has the rare ability to take a game over without taking a shot.  He has been set back by a recent foot injury, but when he returns if he can strengthen his frame and develop his offensive skills he’s likely to fly up this list. 

Filling the sixth spot is Kaleb Tarczewski.  The near seven-footer has a long list of high-major suitors already because of his strong frame and terrific mobility, and while he’s improving at a rapid rate he is still just learning the game and starting to tap into his enormous potential. 

Cushing Academy’s Domonique Bull comes in at number seven.  Once known as a prototypical slasher, Bull has made great strides in expanding his game this year, becoming a consistent shooting threat at the three-point line and a capable facilitator with his passing ability. 

Oklahoma bound big man Richard Peters hasn’t seen the light of day off the Brewster bench for often this year but not isn’t because of a lack of ability.  As the Canadian native continues to mature he’ll begin to live up to his terrific potential.  He checks in at #8. 

Egi Gjikondi slips to number nine on the list as his move from the MIAA to Class B of the NEPSAC showed what a difference there is in the levels of competition.  But Gjikondi has improved throughout the season and has tools high majors will covet with great feet and a soft touch. 

Filling out the top ten is Hotchkiss’ sniper Clyde Smith.  The Texas native is in his debut season in New England and has already attracted a variety of high major attention with his Stephen Curry like ability to score in bunches. 

Rounding out the top 20 are: Timajh Parker-Rivera at 11; Rodell Wigginton at 12; Andrew Chrabascz at 13; Tafari Whittingham at 14; Evan Cummins at 15; Olivier Paul Betu at 16; Nikolas Stauskas at 17; Darwin Billingsley at 18; Georges Niang at 19; and Kamali Bey at 20.