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Top Of The Class: Ranking The Top Incoming Freshmen Players

By Ian Flickinger-Galeza

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Mar 28, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds High School All American athlete Ben Simmons (25) poses for pictures during portrait day at the Westin Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds High School All American athlete Ben Simmons (25) poses for pictures during portrait day at the Westin Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Stars: Ben Simmons and Skal Labissiere

There’s no doubt these two players are the top of the class — the players most likely to be in the headlines next year, and be the top picks in the 2016 draft. They’re the most likely to succeed next year for their respective college teams, and be impact players in the NBA. While neither of them are finished products, they’re the superstars of the bunch.

They’ve already gotten the “record deal,” now we’re just waiting on the results.

Simmons: 6-9, 225-pounds, SF/PF, LSU

Simmons, the No. 1-ranked prospect in the class, averaged 28.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, and four assists for Montverde Academy. The Australian import (Simmons is originally from Melbourne, Australia) is going to make an immediate impact for the Tigers next year with fellow McDonald’s All-American Antonio Blakeney.

Although he can score the ball driving to the rim and with an improving jump shot, Simmons is more of point forward whose at his best with the ball in hands. A tremendous passer, Simmons would probably be a top-10 pick in this year’s draft based on potential alone, though a year playing more out on the wing will prove any doubt about his ability at the next level.

He’s the full package offensively, and he’s only going to get better, and apparently bigger.

Labissiere: 7-0, 216-pounds, PF/C, Kentucky

Labissiere might usurp Simmons as the No. 1 pick by the end of next season, simply because there aren’t many big men as athletic as him. The star moved to the United States from Haiti after the devastating 2010 hurricane, and his backstory is extremely unusual, to say the least.

He’s relatively unknown for such a high-ranking player, most likely due to the fact he didn’t play for a high school team this year. Instead, the Wildcat signee played for Reach Your Dream Prep, a team run by and put together by his American guardian.

Controversy notwithstanding, Labissiere dominated at the Nike Hoops Summit last week (21 points, six blocks, and six rebounds for the World team) getting his name out there to the masses. An incredible shot-blocker with an impressive shot for such a raw big man, Skal is going to fill a major hole in the paint for the Kentucky Wildcats next season.