http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncbrecruiting/on-the-trail/post?id=12662
FIVE BEST SIGNEES
1. Jalen Adams, Brewster Academy, signed with UConn
Adams (No. 25 in
ESPN 100) has been an undersized scorer for most of his career but is now showing more and more signs of being able to slide over to the lead guard spot at the next level, which should allow him to step right in for
Ryan Boatright upon arriving at UConn.
2. Justin Simon, Brewster Academy, signed with Arizona
Simon (No. 27 in ESPN 100) is more import than export to the preps. He was a well known before he arrived at Brewster, but he has freakish length and phenomenal defensive instincts that will be on par with
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, all while adding great size, vision and distributing skills at the point.
3. Donovan Mitchell, Brewster Academy, signed with Louisville
Brewster Academy’s third-ranked guard in the ESPN 100 (No. 38), Mitchell has been developed in the prep ranks from Day 1, and that helped him emerge as one of the biggest summer stock-risers in the country this year. Now he joins the likes of
Montrezl Harrell, Russ Smith and
Luke Hancock as former prep products to be scooped up by Rick Pitino.
4. Tyler Lydon, New Hampton School, signed with Syracuse
Lydon (No. 49 in ESPN 100) came off the board early to Syracuse, pledging in the first half of his junior year. A lot of that had to do with the fact that he was bound to blow up quickly after arriving at New Hampton with his size, length, underrated motor and budding skill set.
5. Danjel Purifoy, Hargrave Military Academy, signed with Auburn
The physical tools of Purifoy (No. 67 in ESPN 100) make him an ideal fit for Bruce Pearl’s style of play, and while his reputation was intact before arriving at Hargrave, he’s taken his game to new levels by dramatically improving his skils and ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter.
UNDER-THE-RADAR SIGNEES
Aaron Falzon, Northfield-Mt. Hermon School, signed with Northwestern
Stanford bound big man
Josh Sharma (No. 75 in ESPN 100) is the highest-ranked prospect at the school, but Falzon (No. 91) is a highly skilled forward who will have a clear niche at the next level with his ability to shoot the ball from behind the 3-point line and will be an immediate and consistent weapon in Chris Collins’ offense.
Elijah Burns, Blair Academy, signed with Nortre Dame
He’s just outside the ESPN 100 and already signed, so most people haven’t taken notice of the recent strides in his game, but he’s expanding his skill set to the perimeter while maintaining his power in the paint. Suddenly he looks like a four-year impact player and multiple-year starter for the Irish.
BEST AVAILABLE PROSPECTS
JaQuan Lyle, IMG Academy
The former Oregon signee was the No. 42 prospect in
2014, and while he isn’t eligible in 2015, he’s nonetheless one of the best available prospects in the country heading into the late signing period. Oregon is fighting to get him back, but
Ben Simmons (No. 1 in 2015) and
Antonio Blakeney (No. 14) are actively recruiting him to join them at LSU.
Kobe Eubanks, Elev8 Academy
Eubanks was initially committed to Baylor in 2014, and he's been one of the biggest standouts of the early prep season as a big wing who can score from all over the floor. He’s considering Georgia, Oregon, Connecticut, Missouri, Providence, Louisville, Kansas, South Florida, Maryland and Virginia Tech.
Khyri Thomas, Fork Union Military Academy
Thomas is similar to Michigan freshman
Aubrey Dawkins -- who was under-recruited last year at New Hampton -- in that he’s a bigger, skilled guard who won’t do anything fancy to jump out at you, but is well suited to play within an offensive structure at the next level. Creighton is among his top suitors.
Jeremy Harris, Fishburne Military School
The one-time Coastal Carolina pledge never signed his letter of intent and that turned out to be a good decision when he was one of the top performers at the National Prep Showcase to open the season. Now the big lefty wing is drawing interest from high major schools with his length, athleticism and ability to make 3s.
