Recruiting: Is Marvin Bagley III the best player in high school hoops?
Marvin Bagley III is ranked number one on ESPN’s 2018 recruiting list.
With most 2016-17 recruits committed to their new homes (we are still waiting for you Taurean Thompson), rosters are mostly set for the 2016-17 season. Now programs across the country are focusing their efforts on recruiting for the class of 2017 and 2018.
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Under Armour and Nike EYBL are some of the famous circuits that take place throughout the summer, as coaches pack the courts looking for their next best talents.
One player that every high major school has their eye on is 2018 6’9″ power forward Marvin Bagley III.
The Phoenix, Arizona native has attended three different schools in his short high school career (Corona Del Sol, Hillcrest Hoops Prep, Sierra Canyon) and was ineligible to play at Sierra Canyon this past season due to the transfer rules.
But Bagley is far and away the number one player in ESPN’s updated 2018 recruiting rankings. In fact, Bagley might be the best player in all of high school hoops.
He’s that good.
With a similar skill set to Carmelo Anthony or Chris Bosh, Bagley has the ability to make plays from inside and out. He can start transition opportunities thanks to his ball handling and quickness, and is a good rebounder on both ends of the floor.
He is long, athletic and dynamic, showing off a unique skill set that should turn him into a one-and-done player and the possible number one overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
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Obviously, Bagley is two years away from playing college basketball and a lot can change in that long period of time, but for right now, Bagley is better than the number one player in the 2017, forward DeAndre Ayton, and certainly seems to have more upside and potential than Harry Giles.
Bagley has already cut his list down to six schools, Arizona, Arizona State, Duke, Kentucky, Oregon and UCLA, but it seems like this is headed toward a classic Duke versus Kentucky battle.
The Blue Devils preach their winning mentality, the opportunity to play for Coach K, and the chance to gain valuable experience in one of the best conferences in the country.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats are an NBA factory given their brand, coaching staff and impressive results in the SEC.
This isn’t about where Bagley will play though. It’s about where he stands as a possible transcend talent.
His skill set is especially valuable in this era of basketball because he is a big man capable of shooting from the perimeter, passing to get his open teammates involved and attacking the basket with his ball handling skills.
In other words, he has guard-like abilities at 6’9″.
It’s still too early to talk about Bagley in the same conversation as the best recruits of this century, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t the most intriguing player in all of high school basketball.