Rankings Revision No. 3

[glenn]

We have a new No. 2 player, plus plenty of movement in the latest revision of our 2008 rankings:

http://hoopgurlz.com/story/johnson-2nd-revised-rankings

[hoopfan24]

Saw this kid play at the Cincinnati event - and her new ranking doesn't surprise me a bit.
She is lightening quick, athletic and very aggressive. It will be exciting to watch how she progresses at the college level in the next couple of years.

[piratelooksatforty]

Even though she lives in Knoxville, I doubt she attends UT as her father was wanting her to attend Duke for the academics and the ACC,, her mother would like to see her attend UT so she could see her play. Glory will be a player very much in the mold of Catchings maybe even stronger and faster

[NGBBoiler]

What's the knock on Rayburn? She has been going nowhere but down every time you revise your rankings.

[scoutnwhoops]

She had a hard time creating her own shot and defending the quicker guards. This is the context we're always talking about and how hard it is to evaluate a kid based on game films. She can flat out catch fire and shoot the rock though, it's not as if she's a slouch or we're saying she's no good, some other players just played very well and have moved up. Glenn saw her at the Deep South as well and we are working on getting a bunch of our previous evaluations loaded into the player database. Rayburn is on that list. Also keep in mind there are a lot more players ranked now than the initial ranking. As we see more kids the list gets deeper so some kids are going to move around.

[BrooklynSaints]

Did you have 2nd thought about NNEKA after seeing more of her or did you just see other players who did alot more.

Also I see you moved Alexa Roche ahead of Leary. I think most people in New York would agree with that ranking. I think Roche will be the leader of St. Mikes next year. Also I see no schools for Leary or Roche. Are they just keeping quiet. I heard Roche may go to Georgetown. She is good with the books so that could be a good fit for her. I have seen nothing official on Georgetown though. Not sure about Leary's schools.

[scoutnwhoops]

I think all the posts would fare better in their home systems. Nothing was ever run for her so I don't know how much homework the USA coaches did on their kids prior to the event. The players that moved up just made more of an impact against some of the top players in the country. I've been told she tore it up in Austin this weekend scoring over 30 points per game. In this class, being ranked anywhere in the Top 25 is an amazing accomplishment. There is very little seperating most of these kids this year.

Roche looked really good at Nike Midwest and just seems to make an impact throughout the game and tournament because of her athleticism and high energy. No word on schools though.

[glenn]

You have to try keeping in mind that we rank the kids we see (and believe we have enough information to rank). And because you get to watch the entire process with us, it sometimes appears as if we are souring on kids, when the actual situation is that we get better context and add more kids, many of whom deserve top rankings.

I agree with what Chris wrote about Brittany Rayburn. She is a great shooter and should do well at Purdue.

The 2008 class is so exceptional that the top kids are going to all be pretty dynamic and multifaceted.

What happened with Nneka Ogwumike essentially is that we got better reads on Glory Johnson and Amber Gray, among others. The YDF is the second time - Deep South being the first - that I walked out thinking Johnson was a flat-out "franchise" player. We both also think Gray is fabulous, and perhaps the best leader in the country, but as a prospect Johnson has two inches and just burns rubber. I know I keep repeating myself, but I am just flabbergasted that a kid 6-3 could be the fastest player in the country (including guards).

[BrooklynSaints]

You have to try keeping in mind that we rank the kids we see (and believe we have enough information to rank). And because you get to watch the entire process with us, it sometimes appears as if we are souring on kids, when the actual situation is that we get better context and add more kids, many of whom deserve top rankings.

I agree with what Chris wrote about Brittany Rayburn. She is a great shooter and should do well at Purdue.

The 2008 class is so exceptional that the top kids are going to all be pretty dynamic and multifaceted.

What happened with Nneka Ogwumike essentially is that we got better reads on Glory Johnson and Amber Gray, among others. The YDF is the second time - Deep South being the first - that I walked out thinking Johnson was a flat-out "franchise" player. We both also think Gray is fabulous, and perhaps the best leader in the country, but as a prospect Johnson has two inches and just burns rubber. I know I keep repeating myself, but I am just flabbergasted that a kid 6-3 could be the fastest player in the country (including guards).

Is Glory Johnson as good as Tina Charles coming out of high school ? Looks like they are both 6'3". Sounds like Johnson is more of a forward.

[BrooklynSaints]

I've seen pictures of "Grandma" but still no ranking ? I guess as you say the 2008 class is very deep. How many stars would you give "Grandma" and do you feel she will make the top 100 list?

[quedash]

You have to try keeping in mind that we rank the kids we see (and believe we have enough information to rank). And because you get to watch the entire process with us, it sometimes appears as if we are souring on kids, when the actual situation is that we get better context and add more kids, many of whom deserve top rankings.

I agree with what Chris wrote about Brittany Rayburn. She is a great shooter and should do well at Purdue.

The 2008 class is so exceptional that the top kids are going to all be pretty dynamic and multifaceted.

What happened with Nneka Ogwumike essentially is that we got better reads on Glory Johnson and Amber Gray, among others. The YDF is the second time - Deep South being the first - that I walked out thinking Johnson was a flat-out "franchise" player. We both also think Gray is fabulous, and perhaps the best leader in the country, but as a prospect Johnson has two inches and just burns rubber. I know I keep repeating myself, but I am just flabbergasted that a kid 6-3 could be the fastest player in the country (including guards).


Her fastest time in the 100 is 11.97, her fastest in the 200 is 24.40, and her longest jump in the long jump is 19-2. She is an elite sprinter and jumper in the 200 and long jump according to Dyestat.com.( Their cutoffs are 24.50 for the 200 and 18-6 for the long jump, also the 100 cutoff is 11.95 she is just off .02 seconds). If she wanted she could earn a track scholarship to anywhere she wanted. I know of at least three athletes who if they continue to develop will be just as "freakish" athletically, but not nearly as tall on the basketball court. So I believe that WBB is on the verge of a new era with the athletic ability of some of the coming players.

[ladiesfirst]

Since I can only wish I knew enough to comment on the specifics and intangibles of these great players, I'll just ask the rest of you to please keep this one going; and thanks for the education!

As to the ratings, it seems worth mentioning that there appears no immaginable reason to raise, or lower an individual's ranking on a whim. It's obvious, the tremendous amount of effort, and countless hours put into these evaluations.

[dvpfresh]

glenn im a huge lsu fan and i wanted to know who you think will sign with lsu and should i expect from tyra white,latear eason and kat graham this upcoming season....thanks:)

[scoutnwhoops]

Tyra White I think will impress right off the bat. She just a smooth operator with a lot of ways to score. Eason is a solid ball handler with good quicks. I'm not sure if she'll hit the floor ready to play on day one as the college game is a big adjustment for most but she should be a contributor by the end of the season.

[dvpfresh]

what about katherine graham...3 star g/f out of bama....not to just kepp asking all these questions but who do you think we have a legit chance of signingfor the 08 class.....and is there anyway that i could possibly see footage of tyra white in action

[scoutnwhoops]

I don't know if anyone has video that they want to host or post on a video hosting site. I don't have any video personally and I'm 99% sure Glenn doesn't either.

Graham I think will be a nice addition too. Strong, good handle and shot looks fluid. I'm not sure how the speed of the game will affect her.

[Hoopsking]

I happened to watch Alexa Roche at a practice just nailing jumper, after jumper, after jumper. What a sweet shoot lefty.

Watch out for Sheneeka Smith a/k/a "Olive Oyle" of St. Mikes. The 6'0" SG is also a sweet, sweet shooter.

Another player to watch out for nationally is 6'0" SG/WF Amanda Burowski out of Mary Louis H.S. in Queens. She also plays for the N.Y. Heat AAU team coached by Kevin White. This girl can do it all. Unlimited range, can go to the basket and uncanny passing skills.

She will be runnerup to Ms. Basketball of New York. Shenise Johnson of Rush Henrietta is my preseason choice to win it.

[scoutnwhoops]

I liked Smith a lot. Shot selection was iffy but her physical gifts are worth talking about definitely. Great quickness, gets to the cup, not afraid of tough shots.

If I can see jumpers from Roche I'd be a happy dude. She impressed me just getting to the cup and rebounding in Ohio. I'm happy they're coming out west to play at the End of the Trail and that Prahalis is going to the Skills Academy too.

[Hoopsking]

Well, I think Apache had her playing in the post. I watched her at a workout this past Friday nail about 12 to 13 shots in a row from long range. Nice form. Nice stroke.

Hopefully Smith's shot selection improves.

btw, she's one heck of a soccer player.

[fhire]

I love Roche and Smith fearless penetrators an dif they have added consistant j's wow! HOOPS do you what college Roche is gonna commit 2?
________
VAPORGENIE HIGH (http://vaporizerinfo.com/)

[Hoopsking]

I'll get you some info on her colleges this weekend. I will be seeing workout tomorrow.

[Hoopsking]

Fhire, I don't know what schools she will commit to. I know that several schools are vying for her services, including Rutgers, Syracuse, Louisville, Georgetown, Ohio State and many more.