2013 ESPN100 debut for Mens Basketball

So ESPN has finally joined other sites and posting there initial top 100 rankings for mens basketball for the Class of 2013.  Link here.  There are some notable Maryland targets in the rankings, and many former targets that have since fallen off the recruiting charts for MD or otherwise committed to play for another school.

More after the break...

So, without further adue, lets look at the MD targets in the rankings.

At No. 3, Andrew Harrison.  No surprise here, as Andrew has been consistently in the top 5 of just about every single ranking database out there.  At 6'5, 210lb, he possesses the size and vision to see over defenders to distribute.  He is by far the best PG in his class.  Currently lists MD, Kentucky, Baylor and Villanova, but it has long been known that it is a two-horse race between MD and Kentucky.  Rumors are that he favors Kentucky...more on this below.

At No. 8 we have Andrews brother, Aaron.  Aaron is a pure scorer and, like his brother, has been consistently in the top 5-10 in the nation since they have been ranked.  ESPN takes a bit of a differing course and puts Aaron as the #2 SG in the nation, which I'm sure will just put some more fire under him to get better.  Aaron and Andrew play with such competitiveness that sometimes it may come out as a mean streak.  Like his brother, he is considering the same school and they have announced they will attend the same school.  Unlike his brother, the rumors have been that Aaron favors MD over Kentucky.  No doubt, they will decide what is best for them and attend the same school.  They have family in the MD area and have the UA connection from there AAU team, so MD has that playing for them.

See this article just published by Zags blog, which contains an interview with Papa Harrison.  Sounds like he hinted at an October 28th announcement to me.


At No. 27 is Kennedy Meeks, a 6'9, 275lb center out of Charlotte.  The trail has recently gone cold a bit with Meeks with the 2012 class bringing in many players that fit the same mold as Meeks, so naturally he would begin looking other places to find better playing time.  Never the less, Meeks has a MD offer to go along with about 15-20 others at this point.  Things could change (Len to league, perhaps Dodd doesn't come after all), but it appears that MDs priority in 2013 won't be another Center.

At. No. 37 is Rysheed Jordan, a 4 star PG out of Philly.  Rysheed is closer to a combo guard than a pure point, but has all the necessary skills to become the PG that Turgeon values in his system.  He has consistently pushed his announcement back from July to before the season starts now, but it has been reported by his AAU coach that he wants to stay on the east coast close to home.  He visits Temple frequently but the Terps have been putting there work in as well.  According to his AAU Coach, Temple and MD are the top 2 for him at the moment, with Kansas just putting in an offer.  With the news that he wants to stay on the east coast close to home, you have to think that this is a 2 horse race at the moment between MD and Temple.

At No. 45 is Kris Jenkins, a true combo forward at 6'5, 250lb.  Jenkins has the skillset to bang inside and the shot to live out on the wing, but his body is built to play the 4.  The major questions for Jenkins is whether he grows a few inches to become a powerful, yet undersized 4 with a solid face-up game, or whether he can slim down and play closer to the perimeter as a catch and shoot player.  MD has yet to offer Jenkins but they have been out to watch his games and shown interest.  If Jenkins doesn't grow a few inches and maintains his current body physique, expect him to go the mid-major route and be a key contributor.

At. No. 69 is Kameron (Kam) Williams, a 2 guard out of Baltimore who plays for Baltimore Elite.  Kam is wire thin at 6'2, 175 but has a deadly shot.  If you leave him open, he is draining it.  Kams problem is that he doesn't have the frame that allows him to put on the muscle needed to play at the high-major level, but he does have the shot to do it.  The Terps are keeping tabs on him, but have yet to extend an offer.  He is currently projected as a immediate starter at the mid-major level or a role player at the high-major level.  We all know how wrong these ratings can be, and Kam has all summer to prove them wrong.

At No. 77 is Rashawn (Pookie) Powell, a 6'0 PG out of Florida.  Pookie has somewhat been the backup options to Andrew and Sheed, but he is quickly rising on many boards.  He is exceptionally quick off the dribble and shows the ability to make a shot in the lane if cut off or pass out to hte arc to the open man.  His upside is very high, but his skills are somewhat raw at the moment.  He could benefit from a year playing backup to someone in college before taking over the Point full-time.  MD has yet to offer, but remains very interested in Pookie.  I unfortunately don't see an offer going his way until the Harrisons and Sheed make there moves.

That finishes up the top 100 listings, but a few Terp recruits were curiously left out.  Junior Etou, a 6'9 face-up PF was left out after being ranked #48 in the Top 60 rankings for 2013 up to the release of the top 100.  Roddy Peters, another late riser on many boards who just started playing for DC Assault this summer missed out on the list, but don't be surprised if he gets on there by the time the AAU circuit is over.  The last player left off that could be making his debut by summers end was RJ Currington, who Charlotte previewed earlier this week.