A first look at the 5-star basketball recruits in the class of 2017

The summer entering your junior year of high school is one of the most pivotal stages of development in the life of a basketball prospect. For most players, this is the first time they’re getting a chance to play for the top team on their AAU club. This is the year recruiting rankings expand, scholarship offers begin to roll in and early impressions from previous summers start to become concrete information in scouting reports.

The first round of these evaluations has already concluded, with Nike’s EYBL completing its four sessions ahead of Peach Jam (July 8-11) and circuits sponsored by adidas and Under Armour also finishing a number of events. ESPN has already expanded its class of 2017 rankings from 25 players to 60, and other publications like Rivals will soon follow.

For the top players in the class, five-star statuses have been solidified. Many of these players have been on college radars since they were in eighth grade. Now scouts are looking to see how their bodies have developed and where they’ve improved skill-wise.

What follows is a primer on the top names in the class: who they are, where their from and what schools have showed the heaviest interest. We’ve already got you covered on the class of 2016.

Position: Center

Size: 6’11, 220 pounds

From: Newport Beach, California, via the Bahamas

Schools interested: Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, UCLA and many more

Ayton was deemed the best prospect in high school basketball in the middle of his sophomore season. Yes, that means some scouts consider him to have higher long-term upside than class of 2015 standouts Ben Simmons and Skal Labissiere or rising seniors like Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles and Josh Jackson.

That’s high praise, to be sure, but Ayton already has one bullet point on his resume that not even the players two years older than him can match yet: he’s already dominated a great college basketball team.

Last summer, Ayton finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds in an exhibition game against North Carolina in the Bahamas. For a Tar Heels team that reached the Sweet 16 and had one of the best front lines in college basketball with Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks and Brice Johnson, the performance was a confirmation that Ayton’s physical tools could immediately translate to production even against much older competition.

Playing on the Under Armour circuit, Ayton is still something of a mystery man. He’s been on the national radar since eighth grade, but hasn’t play in many high-level AAU games and has already had to battle through a broken patella. Those who have seen him play swear Ayton is the real deal, though. This type of combination of size and athleticism doesn’t come around often.

Position: Wing

Size: 6’9, 195 pounds

From: Columbia, Missouri

Schools interested: Kansas, Washington, Duke, Mizzou and many more

Porter squared off against top 2016 recruit Jayson Tatum on an EYBL stop in Lexington and showed he’s gifted enough to take on anyone in high school basketball right now. Porter finished that game with 20 points (Tatum had 20 as well) and showcased elite athleticism and a skill set that’s coming along nicely.

The thing that makes Porter special is that he already has great size and burst for his position. He showed off a nice shooting stroke and even the semblance of quick post game in the spring session on the Nike tour. His next goal will be tightening his handle and working on improving his ability to create his own looks off the dribble.

In case you’re wondering just how athletic Porter is:

While it’s way too early in Porter’s recruitment to determine a front-runner, it’s worth noting his family has plenty of connections at Mizzou. His aunt is the head coach of the women’s team, and his father is an assistant coach under her. His two sisters Bri and Cierra Porter also currently play for the Tigers.

Position: Combo forward

Size: 6’8, 200 pounds

From: Houston, Texas

Schools interested: Kansas, Texas, Arizona, Kentucky

Vanderbilt plays alongside class of 2016 recruit De’Aaron Fox on the EYBL for a Houston Hoops team that finished tied for the second best record on the circuit at 13-4. He’s a raw offensive prospect at this stage of his career, but the work he’s put in with USA Basketball this summer is only going to help him improve.

“He’s had a really solid spring,” said Scott Phillips, a basketball scout with NBC. “One of the best defenders in the class because he can switch on guys 1-5. He’s aggressive in the passing lanes and making plays with his hands. He needs to work on his perimeter jumper but he has a very good game at the elbows and extended elbows both as a passer and a scorer.

“He’s a great rebounder, was one of the tops in the EYBL this spring. If he remains consistent and develops his jumper, he has a chance to be a very good player long-term.”

Position: Point guard

Size: 6’5, 200 pounds

From: Las Vegas, Nevada

Schools interested: Duke, Kansas, Arizona, UCLA, UNLV

From Dante Exum to Emmanuel Mudiay and D’Angelo Russell, tall point guards have never been more in demand than they are right now. Brown fits that profile after measuring at 6’5 with a 6’9 wingspan during USA Basketball U16 tryouts. What’s scary is that he won’t turn 16 years old until the end of July, making him one of the youngest players in his class. Just to make you feel extra old: Brown was born in 1999.

Brown has been brought up as a natural point guard, and it shows in his ball handling and passing ability. DraftExpress reported that his jump shot looked much improved during USA Basketball camp, and some of that showed on the EYBL, too.

Playing on the Las Vegas Prospects, the same team as another top 2017 prospect Charles O’Bannon Jr., Brown scored 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting during a win against the South Beach Stars in Houston in May. His play was up and down for most of the EYBL, but that’s to be expected for such a young point guard. There’s no arguing with his tools.

Position: Center

Size: 6’10, 250 pounds

From: Atlanta, Georgia

Schools interested: Duke, Kentucky, Florida State

Carter has been one of the breakout players of the spring session, earning a scholarship offer from Duke while impressing on a massive Georgia Stars front line that also includes class of 2016 big man Udoka Azubuike.

“He played Harry Giles as tough as anyone did all spring,” Phillips said. “He developed more and more confidence in his outside jumper and face-up game, which is coming along slowly. He has a lot of tools and great feel for the game, and a good mentality, that I like about him going forward.”

Carter is blessed with long arms (a wingspan near 7’5), good footwork and a nice back to the basket game. He continues to grow but is already physically mature for his age.