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I've been following recruiting rankings since I was a subscriber to Hoop Scoop and Gibbons reports probably in the late 80's early 90's when everything was mailed. I just use the services to help me keep my eye on good players, but I'm embarrassed to say that after all these years I still don't know what any of these services are even trying to rank. I'm sure each ranking service is different, but I'd be interested if anybody on this board has seen an explanation for any of them.
Are they ranking who is the best high school player right now with dominate skills and physical attributes?
Are they ranking who they project will be the best college players based on current skills and physical attributes?
Are they ranking who will eventually be the best pro prospects?
Are they ranking who will be the best college players as finished products, (gaining strength, improving on something)?
Are they ranking every attribute individually and arriving at a score, (like a golf course rating)?
I assume they evaluate guards, wings, power forwards, and centers differently?
What makes a highly skilled point guard more highly ranked than a 6'10PF or visa versa?
I'm pretty sure most ranking services are a consensus of a small group at those rating services. Is each person at a 24/7 or ESPN, or Rivals, using the same metrics or might one analyst be valuing what a player is now, and another analyst valuing what they think a player can become?
At times I have seen a rating service tout that their ratings have correlated with high NBA draft picks which suggests that might be a focus. I have never seen a rating service correlate it's ratings with 'all conference' or 'ncaa all american' team selections which would be relevant if you were projecting college prospects.
Maybe somebody on the board has seen these questions addressed and can provide some insight.
(I admit that my curiosity is piqued by Filipowski and Karaban and Clingan, in comparison to players like Justice Williams. Players that are winners against top competition, statistically blow away other players, and are ranked lower. A player like Clingan who has great tools, but more to work on, versus a more finished product like Filipowski or Karaban).
Also, Evan Mobley got his ass kicked as a senior against Hunter Dickenson, and Ware that went to Kentucky kicked his ass the game before. He was number 1 but his teams lost and I never saw him dominate or even play even to another quality player. His ranking had to impute potential and strength gain rather than what he was as a senior.
Interested in what you might know
Are they ranking who is the best high school player right now with dominate skills and physical attributes?
Are they ranking who they project will be the best college players based on current skills and physical attributes?
Are they ranking who will eventually be the best pro prospects?
Are they ranking who will be the best college players as finished products, (gaining strength, improving on something)?
Are they ranking every attribute individually and arriving at a score, (like a golf course rating)?
I assume they evaluate guards, wings, power forwards, and centers differently?
What makes a highly skilled point guard more highly ranked than a 6'10PF or visa versa?
I'm pretty sure most ranking services are a consensus of a small group at those rating services. Is each person at a 24/7 or ESPN, or Rivals, using the same metrics or might one analyst be valuing what a player is now, and another analyst valuing what they think a player can become?
At times I have seen a rating service tout that their ratings have correlated with high NBA draft picks which suggests that might be a focus. I have never seen a rating service correlate it's ratings with 'all conference' or 'ncaa all american' team selections which would be relevant if you were projecting college prospects.
Maybe somebody on the board has seen these questions addressed and can provide some insight.
(I admit that my curiosity is piqued by Filipowski and Karaban and Clingan, in comparison to players like Justice Williams. Players that are winners against top competition, statistically blow away other players, and are ranked lower. A player like Clingan who has great tools, but more to work on, versus a more finished product like Filipowski or Karaban).
Also, Evan Mobley got his ass kicked as a senior against Hunter Dickenson, and Ware that went to Kentucky kicked his ass the game before. He was number 1 but his teams lost and I never saw him dominate or even play even to another quality player. His ranking had to impute potential and strength gain rather than what he was as a senior.
Interested in what you might know