High School Blog | Gabriel Burnin’

Player of the Week

Wenyen Gabriel – Wilbraham & Monson 2016 (Kentucky)

The 6’10 late blooming big man had a tremendous showing this summer and soared up in the rankings. His success isn’t stopping for his senior year. His versatility on both ends of the floor, fluidity, and skill level makes him a handful for opponents. He finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks at the National Prep Showcase. Gabriel will get to play in Lexington in a few weeks at the Thoroughbred Classic, matching up against Thon Maker’s Athlete Institute.

Hot

Spain Park

Guard Jamal Johnson and Auburn commit, Austin Wiley, both had big games against Homewood (Alabama). Johnson recorded a triple double with 20 points, ten rebounds, and ten assists. Wiley finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and ten blocks. Both players nearly outscored Homewood tallying for 32 between the two, while Homewood scored 38 as a team.

Miles Bridges – Huntington Prep 2016 (Michigan State)

Bridges continues his exceptional play with 30 points, seven rebounds, and five assists to beat Victory Prep and a 26 point, 16 rebounds, and eight assists performance beating Planet Athlete.

Omari Spellman – St. Thomas More 2016 (Villanova)

Spellman put together a nice performance in the win over Fork Union Military. He finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. There aren’t many who can matchup with Spellman’s size, 6’9 287 lbs, but even with his size, his production isn’t limited to just playing around the basket. He shot 3-5 from three and shot 7-8 from the free throw line.

Jarred Vanderbilt – Victory Prep 2017

Vanderbilt recorded 41 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks to start the season.  Also, 31 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and two steals to beat Planet Athlete. He’s not done yet with 40 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and two steals in the loss to Huntington Prep. The do-it-all forward appears to have added a more consistent jump shot this season, which has been his biggest weakness in the past. Expect Vanderbilt to contend for the top spot in 2017. Victory Prep has some big games coming in the next few weeks, facing Sunrise Christian, Quality Education, Hillcrest, and Word of God.

Javonte Smart – Scotlandville 2018

The elite sophomore guard had a notable performance recording 20 points and 15 assists beating Mandeville.

Cold

Word of God Christian Academy

Word of God had two victories earlier in the week against Faith Assembly Christian Academy and Forest Trail Academy but had a loss to West Oaks Academy. Word of God’s star guard, Rawle Alkins, only had nine points and the team only had 43 to West Oaks’ 61. This loss is nothing to be concerned about as they will bounce back and Alkins has been strong thus far besides this outlier performance.

Under the Radar

Christian David – Vermont Academy 2017

The Canadian wing is a knock down shooter and an underrated athlete. He scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds to beat Bradford Christian. He isn’t currently getting much love from rankings but that can definitely change as he continues to progress. He’s got good size for a wing at 6’7. Baylor, Illinois, Oregon, and Providence are a few schools that are currently recruiting David.

Top 5 High School Transfers

5. Simi Shittu – 2018

From Corpus Christi

To Montverde Academy

The versatile Canadian forward is spending his first year in the US, playing his sophomore season with powerhouse, Montverde Academy. This year, Shittu may not be as productive as others on this list but he teams up with other elite players from the 2018 class, Silvio De Sousa and EJ Montgomery, who have the opportunity to play three seasons together, potentially becoming an absolute force come 2018. This transfer allows Coach Kevin Boyle to mold Shittu’s raw tools and talent into an elite prospect.

4. Rawle Alkins – 2016

From Christ the King

To Word of God Christian Academy

The New York native decided to play his senior season in North Carolina for Word of God Christian Academy. After leading NY RENS to the adidas Finals title, Alkins hopes to continue the momentum created from an exceptional summer into his final high school season. Alkins brings his athleticism, scoring ability, and elite defense to John Wall’s alma mater, with hope to dominate on the national stage again.

3. Trevon Duval – 2017

From St. Benedict’s

To Advanced Prep International

Some consider him the best of the 2017 class, Duval is spending his junior season in Texas with Advanced Prep International. He brings his up-tempo game to join the talented trio – Terrence Ferguson, Billy Preston, and Mark Vital. This addition gives Coach Ray Forsett a high caliber point guard he hasn’t had since Emmanuel Mudiay graduated from Prime Prep back in 2014. Duval has the leadership to bring out the best of his teammates, giving API an opportunity to contend with the nation’s best.

2. Edrice Adebayo – 2016 (Kentucky)

From Northside

To High Point Christian Academy

Bam stayed in the state of North Carolina but is attending High Point Christian Academy for his final season before heading to Kentucky. Adebayo didn’t transfer to one of the more high profile schools like others on the list but can make an instant impact at any school. Other High Point transfers include Jalen Seegars, Michael Hueitt, and Boston College commit, Ty Graves, from Montverde Academy. Bam is nearly automatic around the basket, a monster on the glass, and one of the most physically superior players in high school basketball.

1. Deandre Ayton – 2017

From Balboa City School

To Hillcrest Academy

As you probably expected, DeAndre Ayton sits at the top spot among high school transfers. Widely known as the top prospect in high school basketball regardless of class, Ayton originally teamed up with Marvin Bagley forming a dominant frontcourt. Although Bagley has left Hillcrest, Ayton is staying this season and will continue to show his tremendous upside.  Still only a high school junior, Ayton has had exceptional performances so far, including a few 30 point and double digit rebound games.

Honorable Mention:

Jeremiah Tilmon: From East St. Louis to La Lumiere, athletic big man should make an immediate impact to a loaded La Lumiere transfer class.

Mario Kegler: From Arlington Country Day to Oak Hill Academy, natural talent forced to step up at Oak Hill with Harry Giles’ season ending injury.

Onuralp Bitim: From Anadolu Efes to Huntington Prep, crafty guard from Turkey who is a name to become familiar with. Averaged 22.4 ppg and 5.9 rbg in the U16 European Championships.

*Harry Giles: From Wesleyan Christian Academy to Oak Hill Academy, left off due to season ending knee injury.

*Marvin Bagley: From Corona Del Sol to Hillcrest Academy, left off due to leaving Hillcrest and is currently homeschooled.

*Terrance Ferguson & Billy Preston: From Prime Prep Academy to Advanced Prep International. Many view API as “The New Prime Prep”, although it is a different school, I left them off the list.