2011 Center Rankings

The center position is rarely deep in Indiana. This class is no different, but all the centers I have ranked seem to be improving. Although, it appears Tony Springmann is choosing to focus on football instead of basketball. I hear he is a high major football recruit. Isiah Hill is greatly improved with his weight loss. He doesn't even look like the same person anymore.

H=High major H- = High major Stretch
M+ = Mid-major, higher possibly, M=Mid-major, M- =Mid-major stretch
L+ = Low major, higher possibly, L= Low-major, L- = Low-major stretch/D2/NAIA

1. Michael Chandler 6’11 Lawrence North H Big man with solid hands, runs pretty well, aggressive for a young big man. Will he continue to work on his game or be happy for what he has got? Committed to Louisville
2. Tony Springmann 6’7 Fort Wayne Dwenger M+ Powerful big man, great motor and rebounder, solid shot to 14 feet. A face-up game would shoot him up the rankings. (Football only now)
3. Isiah Hill 6’10 Howe M- Improving due to weight loss, mobility is increasing. Decent touch around the basket. Still needs to refine his footwork.
4. Ben Davisson 6’9 Renesselar Central L+ Huge body, huge hands, decent touch around the basket. Can hit 15 foot jumper if left open, struggles when he puts the ball on the floor in the post.
5. Jared Smoot 6’9 Crown Point L+ Strong, flashes of great potential…raw at this point.
6. Alec Peterson 6’9 Carmel L Long, finishes okay in the lane. Plays passively and without much energy.
7. Michael Nesbitt 6’6 Evansville Memorial L Solid body, good rebounder, needs to work on offensive skills.
8. Wade Thomas 6’8 Western Boone L- Super raw, good motor, plays with energy, good form on shot to 15 feet. Just needs experience and work on post game along with added strength.

2011 Center Rankings

Not much change in my center rankings for 2011.

Centers

1. Michael Chandler 6’11 Lawrence North H Big man with solid hands, runs pretty well, aggressive for a young big man. Will he continue to work on his game or be happy for what he has got?
2. Tony Springmann 6’7 Fort Wayne Dwenger M+ Powerful big man, great motor and rebounder, solid shot to 14 feet. A face-up game would shoot him up the rankings.
3. Isiah Hill 6’10 Howe M- Huge kid, doesn’t run too well. Has been out most of the spring.
4. Ben Davisson 6’9 Renesselar Central L+ Huge body, huge hands, decent touch around the basket. Can hit 15 foot jumper if left open, struggles when he puts the ball on the floor in the post.
5. Alec Peterson 6’9 Carmel L Long, finishes okay in the lane. Plays passively and without much energy.
6. Michael Nesbitt 6’6 Evansville Memorial L Solid body, good rebounder, needs to work on offensive skills.
7. Wade Thomas 6’8 Western Boone L Super raw, good motor, plays with energy, good form on shot to 15 feet. Just needs experience and work on post game along with added strength.

2011 Center Rankings

True Centers are hard to find especially in Indiana. I tried to limit who I put into this category because most kids are more like Power Forwards than they are Centers.

2011 Centers

1. Michael Chandler 6’11 Lawrence North H Big man with solid hands, runs pretty well, aggressive for a young big man. Will he continue to work on his game or be happy for what he has got?
2. Tony Springmann 6’7 Fort Wayne Dwenger M+ Powerful big man, great motor and rebounder, solid shot to 14 feet. A face-up game would shoot him up the rankings.
3. Isiah Hill 6’10 Howe M- Huge kid, doesn’t run too well. Has been out most of the spring.
4. Ben Davisson 6’9 Renesselar Central L+ Huge body, huge hands, decent touch around the basket. No range, struggles when he puts the ball on the floor in the post.
5. Alec Peterson 6’9 Carmel L Long, finishes okay in the lane. Plays uber passively and without much energy.
6. Wade Thomas 6’8 Western Boone L+ Super raw, good motor, plays with energy, good form on shot to 15 feet. Just needs experience and work on post game along with added strength.

Take Your Pick

I decided to do some comparisons of players "PTI" style with a little take your pick.

First up...Michael Chandler or A.J. Hammons?

I'll take A.J. Hammons as I like his post game at this point and I believe he has a bit more potential than Chandler. Chandler is no slouch and this is a tough choice but I also think Hammons runs a bit better which will improve if he drops some weight.

Better 2012 Point Guard right now...Yogi Ferrell or Kellon Thomas?

I'm going with Kellon Thomas right now, but Yogi Ferrell might have a little more upside with his height advantage. Right now, Thomas is the better shooter and makes decisions with the ball better. Therefore, I like him better as of now.

Better 2012 Prospect...D'vauntes Smith-Rivera or Ron Patterson?

I have to go with Patterson based on athleticism mainly. DSR is physically matured right now although I'm not sure if Patterson will grow anymore either. Patterson has better range and both drive and finish well in the lane.

Better 2011 Point Guard...Jeremiah Davis or P.J. Boutee?

At this moment, I would say they are very similar in the fact they are creators first and scorers second and then shooters third. Davis is bigger and stronger. Boutee has the quickness advantage. Both will make mistakes trying to do too much at times. I will take Jeremiah Davis in this match-up.

More to come later...