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Behind the 2018 Rankings

By Zach Fleer, 02/15/17, 5:00PM EST

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270 Hoops has refreshed its 2018 player rankings

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Rankings Week continues at 270 Hoops with an update in the 2018 class. A class ripe with Division I and II talent, 2018 has big-time talent across all positions, including no-brainer high-major players Jerome Hunter and Dane Goodwin

With that, we reintroduce our 2018 rankings. Grouping players into point guards, wing guards, wing forwards and centers, 270 Hoops has critically evaluated each player in the area, combining an analysis of production, play style, height and college projection to formulate the rankings.

Take a look at the complete rankings here. 

Point Guards

While there may not be a sure-fire Division I talent in the point guard class in 2018, this group of guards can all play at the college level. 

Leading the class is Hilliard Bradley guard Braden Norris, who has led this entire group in scoring since the beginning of the 2014-15 season. Norris is the only guard in the group with a Division I offer, as Binghamton extended a scholarship to Norris following a strong AAU summer performance.

Following Norris is Africentric floor general Tre Baumgardner, who has enjoyed a breakout season for the Nubians. In his first full year getting staring minutes, Baumgardner has excelled, showcasing his elite handle and play-making ability. Baumgardner's game might have a chance to translate to the Division I level, as he can handle tightly against pressure, while having the natural scoring ability to finish inside against taller defenders.  

Rounding out the top five are a trio of guards who have all been very strong this season, as Groveport's Corey Baker, Westerville North's Julius Brown and Westerville Central's Thomas Hickman are each averaging double-figures. 

Rank Name Height School
1 Braden Norris 5'11 Hilliard Bradley
2 Tre Baumgardner 6'0 Africentric
3 Corey Baker 5'11 Groveport
4 Julius Brown 5'11 Westerville North
5 Thomas Hickman 6'1 Westerville Central

See the full list of point guards here.

Wing Guards

This class is a high-level one, with several Division I prospects gracing the top 10. 

Leading off, Dane Goodwin is the sure-fire No. 1 pick here, as the Ohio State commit is leading the entire area in scoring at 27.1 points per game. Goodwin has dominated competition of every level this season, going for 30+ points seven times this season, including three 35-point performances. Goodwin has been the No. 1 wing guard since lacing up his shoes at Upper Arlington.

Following Goodwin is Eastmoor's Taevion Kinsey. While Kinsey may play the point guard for the Warriors, he looks to project to the two guard spot in college. An elite-level athlete that has the potential to be a legitimate three-level scorer in college, Kinsey has put it all together this season in leading EA to a City League South division title. Kinsey has risen to the occasion against the best of competition, leading Eastmoor to big wins over Dublin Coffman, Westerville North and previously undefeated South.

Coming right behind Kinsey is Northland shooting guard Jejuan Weatherspoon. The 6-foot-3 Weatherspoon has put together some big-time performances this season, leading the Vikings with 14 points per game. When Weatherspoon's motor is running and shots are falling, he is extremely hard to defend. Fortunately for Weatherspoon, his motor has been on nearly all season.

Outside of the top three, the talent level does not drop off. East junior guard Justin Curtis has been oustanding this season, leading all of the City League North in scoring. Wellington guard Solomon Pierre-Louis has impressed in half a season's work after transferring from Columbus Academy. Bishop Hartley junior Garrett Tipton has been solid this season, while Beechcroft's Jelani Simmons and Central Crossing's Antwon Hampton are leading their respective teams in scoring while flashing quality upside. 

Rank Name Height School
1 Dane Goodwin 6'5 Upper Arlington
2 Taevion Kinsey 6'4 Eastmoor Academy
3 Jejuan Weatherspoon 6'3 Northland
4 Justin Curtis 6'4 East
5 Solomon Pierre-Louis 6'3 Wellington

See the full list of wing guards here.

Wing Forwards

As if this class couldn't get any deeper or more talented, it does just that.

A deep list of wings that can all play, 2018 is led by none other than Jerome Hunter. A five-tool player at 6-foot-7 that has been in a zone all season long, Hunter has elevated himself into elite company. Considered a top 50-75 player in the country, Hunter has been elite this season, leading Pickerington North in scoring at just over 20 points per game.

Coming behind Hunter is a cast of talented wings, as Hilliard Bradley's Isaiah Speelman checks in at No. 2. As skilled of a prospect as there is in the class, Speelman has been nothing short of efficient this season, leading Hilliard Bradley to its best regular season in school history.

Pickerington Central's Adrian Nelson comes in at No. 3, as Nelson has used his elite length and athleticism to dominate on the wing for the Tigers. On a team loaded with scorers, Nelson has excelled in his role as a terrorizing matchup in transition that can dunk on just about anyone.

After Nelson comes Zanesville's Cameron Brooks-Harris, an intriguing 6-foot-6 athlete that has enjoyed a successful first season with the Blue Devils. Brooks-Harris might have the second-best upside of any prospect in the class behind Hunter, as he is just scratching the surface of how good he can be.

After Brooks-Harris are a pair of Pickerington Central wings, as Jah Blevins and Juan Elmore have been terrific for the Tigers this year. Blevins has added another dimension to Pickerington Central since becoming eligible mid-season, while Elmore has impressed as a lockdown defensive anchor that the Tigers have relied on in its biggest games. 

While outside of the top six, there have been several breakout forwards this season, including Newark's JT Shumate, Harvest Prep's CJ Penha, Dublin Coffman's Nick Carlson, Linden-McKinley's Faizon Tucker and Beechcroft's Therron Jennings

Rank Name Height School
1 Jerome Hunter 6'7 Pickerington North
2 Isaiah Speelman 6'6 Hilliard Bradley
3 Adrian Nelson 6'6 Pickerington Central
4 Cameron Brooks-Harris 6'6 Zanesville
5 Jah Blevins 6'5 Pickerington Central

See the full list of wing forwards here. 

Centers

While this class isn't as deep as the guards and wings that 2018 has, there are still some quality junior big men.

Leading the class is Centerburg post Ross Ryan. Impressing in the AAU season in helping lead All-Ohio Red to Peach Jam and Super Showcase titles, Ryan showcased the high upside that many have expected out of him for the last few years. Another strong AAU season could lead to a litany of offers for the 6-foot-8 Ryan.

Coming in behind Ryan is the skillful Pickerington North post Eli McNamara. Picking up an offer from Stony Brook before the start of the season, McNamara has continued to impress in a junior season in which he, along with Hunter and Dondre Palmer, have helped make Pickerington North relevant again. McNamara has elite skill on the block and looks to still be growing out of his 6-foot-8 frame.

Rounding out the top three is Eastmoor Academy big man Stanley Williams, who by all accounts, has been solid this season in leading EA to a City League South division title. Williams is still developing underneath, but has the length and athleticism to be a force inside. Williams could really benefit his recruitment with a strong AAU season. 

Rank Name Height School
1 Ross Ryan 6'8 Centerburg
2 Eli McNamara 6'8 Pickerington North
3 Stanley Williams 6'8 Eastmoor Academy
4 Tre Williams 6'6 Reynoldsburg
5 Colin Woodside 6'5 Fairfield Union

See the full list of centers here.

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