We’ve hit the Midway point of the high school season and have had a chance to see a number of the top players from around the country and now feel it’s time to take our first look at the Class of 2019. The Class has immense promise with fifteen to twenty players that already show the makings of potential impact talents by the time they reach college in three years.

This talented group is led by 6-6 wing man R.J Barrett from Montverde Academy who has been lighting up the nation’s best over the past two years. This Canadian import has range to three, can slash and finish in traffic with either hand or run the break with best in the class. He will get a big challenge from the next four athlete’s we are going to highlight. The quartet is led by 6-10 power forward Charles Bassey from San Antonio, TX St. Anthony high who averaged 20 points and 16 boards as a freshman and was key n leading St. Anthony’s to the private school state championship game. But, Alas he currently has been ruled ineligible by the TAPP to compete this season. This has to do with circumstances revolving around his scholarship funding to attend St. Anthony’s, not academic, as Bassey is an excellent student. St. Anthony’s maintains that nothing out of the ordinary was done for Bassey. Wonder why they didn’t investigate this until  he led his team to state final?

Right behind Bassey at No.4 on our list is 6-3 west coast scoring point LaMelo Ball who has great ball skills, range to the NBA arc and athletic gifts to make highlights at the rim. He is a great passer and reminds me of a young (before injuries) Shaun Livingston at the same stage! He is a highlight maker with the shot, drive or pass! At number four is one of the fastest rising front court talents in 6-9 Vernon Carey from Fort Lauderdale, FL University School has been a dominant force this winter. He flat out tore it up in Raleigh, NC after Christmas scoring from the blocks to the arc, showing range, handle and immense ounce that had many scouts buzzing at courtside. He needs to add some strength to his long and lanky frame, but he has time to let his body catch up with his game! Rounding out our top five is one of the smartest scorers in the class, 6-4 Scottie Lewis who has been kickin’ butt and taking names since his seventh grade season. He has range to three, can attack off the dribble with either hand, finish versus contact or when tripled up find open man with the pass. He has the complete package and a work ethic that will keep in the hunt for the nation’s top spot in his class.

But, the top five can’t rest on their laurels as big men like 7-0 Balsa Koprivica, 6-9 Matthew Hurt, 7-2 Chol Marial, 6-10 James Wiseman, wingmen including 6-7 Trendon Watford,6-7 D.J. Jeffries, Patrick McCaffery, and guards 6-2 Cole Anthony, 6-5 Cassius Stanley, along with 6-4 Bryan Antoine aren’t far behind and will be coming for their spots on the circuit this spring on through the summer.  So as is usually the case, as we enter the second half of the high school season and head into the spring, we will see a number of players explode in April and July to challenge for top spots in the class. So with that in mind, here is how we see the nation’s top rising sophomores today, as we take a look at the FutureStars Class of 2019 Top 60+ talent:

Van Coleman’s FutureStars Class of 2019 Top 60+

Rank    Players                                           Hgt       Class              Pos                                                  Hometown High School State - College

1.           R.J. Barrett                                     6’6        2019              WF                                                  Montverde (Academy) FL

2.           Charles Bassey                              6’10      2019              PF                                                   San Antonio (St. Anthony’s) TX (ineligible 2016-17)

3.           LaMelo Ball                                   6’3        2019              PG                                                   Chino Hills (H.S.) CA - UCLA

4.           Vernon Carey                                6’9        2019              PF                                                   Fort Lauderdale (University School) FL

5.           Scottie Lewis                                 6’4        2019              SG                                                   Tinton Falls (Ranney School) NJ

6.           Trendon Watford                           6’7        2019              WF                                                  Birmingham (Mountain Brook) AL

7.           Balsa Koprivica                             7’0        2019              C                                                     Fort Lauderdale (University School) FL

8.           Matthew Hurt                                6’9        2019              PF                                                   Rochester (John Marshall) MN

9.           D.J. Jeffries                                    6’7        2019              WF                                                  Olive Branch (H.S.) MS

10.         Cole Anthony                                6’2        2019              CG                                                  Jamaica (Archbishop Molloy) NY

11.         Cassius Stanley                             6’5        2019              SG                                                   North Hollywood (Harvard-Westlake) CA

12.         Chol Marial                                    7’2        2019              C                                                     Cheshire (Academy) CT

13.         James Wiseman                             6’10      2019              PF                                                   Nashville (Ensworth) TN

14.         Patrick McCaffery                         6’9        2019              WF                                                  Iowa City (West) IA

15.         Bryan Antoine                               6’4        2019              CG                                                  Tinton Falls (Ranney School) NJ

16.         Christian Brown                            6’6        2019              WF                                                  Columbia (A.C. Flora) SC

17.         Chandler Lawson                          6’8        2019              PF                                                   Memphis (East) TN

18.         Onyeka Okongwu                         6’9        2019              C                                                     Chino Hills (H.S.) CA

19.         Andrew Nembhard                       6’2        2019              PG                                                   Montverde (Academy) FL

20.         Khalil Whitney                              6’4        2019              CG                                                  Roselle (Catholic) NJ

21.         Marcedus Leech                            6’5        2019              SG                                                   Poplar Bluff (H.S.) MO

22.         Tyger Campbell                             6’0        2019              PG                                                   La Porte (La Lumiere Academy) IN

23.         Juwan Gary                                    6’5        2019              SG                                                   Columbia (Gray Collegiate) SC

24.         Joey Baker                                     6’7        2019              CF                                                   Fayetteville (Trinity Christian) NC

25.         Francis Okoro                                6’9        2019              C                                                     Normal (Community West) IL

26.         Precious Achiuwa                         6’7        2019              WF                                                  Elizabeth (Patrick School) NJ

27.         Romeo Weems                              6’5        2019              WF                                                  New Haven (H.S.) MI

28.         P.J. Fuller                                       6’3        2019              CG                                                  Seattle (Nathan Hale) WA

29.         Terry Armstrong                           6’5        2019              SG                                                   Marietta (Wheeler) GA

30.         Jeremiah Robinson-Earl               6’8        2019              PF                                                   Shawnee Mission (Bishop Miege)

31.         Keion Brooks                                6’7        2019              WF                                                  Fort Wayne (Northside) IN

32.         De’Vion Harmon                          6’2        2019              PG                                                   Denton (Guyer) TX

33.         Makhi Mitchell                              6’8        2019              C                                                     Forestville (Bishop McNamara) MD

34.         Kofi Cockburn                              6’10      2019              C                                                     Middle Village (Christ the King) NY

35.         Grant Sherfield                              6’2        2019              PG                                                   Fort Worth (North Crowley) TX

36.         Bryce Willis                                   6’4        2019              SG                                                   New Rochelle (Iona Prep) NY

37.         Isaiah Stewart                                6’8        2019              PF                                                   Rochester (McQuaid Jesuit) NY

38.         Jordan Mitchell                             6’6        2019              WF                                                  Gahanna (Lincoln) OH

39.         Wendell Moore                             6’4        2019              WF                                                  Concord (Cox Mill) NC

40.         Jared Jones                                     6’9        2019              C                                                     Mableton (Pebblebrook) GA - Auburn

41.         Samba Kane                                   6’10      2019              C                                                     Aurora (Regis) CO

42.         Tyrese Massey                               6’3        2019              PG                                                   Garland (South Garland) TX

43.         Karim Coulibaly                            6’8        2019              PF                                                   Laurel (St. Vincent Pallotti) MD

44.         Kirkland Smith                              6’7        2019              CF                                                   Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA

45.         Justin Moore                                  6’3        2019              CG                                                  Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD

46.         Stanley Joseph                               6’10      2019              C                                                     Wichita (Life Prep) KS

47.         Tyreek Smith                                 6’8        2019              PF                                                   Dallas (Advanced Prep International) TX

48.         Darren Jones                                  6’8        2019              PF                                                   San Bernardino (Cajon) CA

49.         Drew Timme                                 6’9        2019              PF                                                   Richardson (Pierce) TX

50.         Assane Diof                                   7’1        2019              C                                                     Denver (East) CO

51.         Nobal Days                                    6’9        2019              PF                                                   Racine (Park) WI

52.         Ashton Hagans                              6’3        2019              SG                                                   Covington (Newton) GA

53.         Josh Green                                     6’4        2019              SG                                                   Phoenix (Hillcrest Academy) AZ

54.         Isaac Okoro                                   6’5        2019              WF                                                  Powder Springs (McEachern) GA

55.         Elias King                                      6’6        2019              WF                                                  Huntington (Prep) WV

56.         Jarod Lucas                                    6’2        2019              CG                                                  Los Altos (H.S.) CA

57.         Maxwell Lorca-Lloyd                  6’8        2019              PF                                                   Mount Hermon (School) MA

58.         Rylan Jones                                   6’0        2019              PG                                                   Logan (H.S.) UT

59.         Makese Jacobs                              6’0        2019              PG                                                   West Chicago (Community) IL

60.         Qudus Wahab                                6’11      2019              C                                                     Ashburn (Virginia Academy) VA

Potential Top 60 Breakthroughs: (Listed By Height)

Players                                                         Hgt       Class              Pos                                                  Hometown High School State - College

Matt Van Komen                                        7’3        2019              C                                                     Lehi (H.S.) UT

Naheem McLeod                                         7’0        2019              C                                                     Plymouth Meeting (Whitemarsh) PA

Makur Maker                                               6’11      2019              C                                                     West Hills (Chaminade) CA

Antwan January                                          6’10      2019              C                                                     Woodland Hills (Taft) CA (Re-Class to  2019)

Isaac Johnson                                              6’10      2019              C                                                     American Fork (H.S.) UT

Jaden Bediako                                             6’10      2019              C                                                     Brampton (Ridley College) ON

Taeyon Neal                                                6’10      2019              C                                                     Chicago (Providence St. Mel) IL

John Bol-Ajok                                             6’10      2019              PF                                                   Exton (Church Farm) PA

Malik Bailey                                                6’9        2019              C                                                     Burlington (Life Center) NJ

Aidan Igiehon                                              6’9        2019              C                                                     Lawrence (Woodmere Academy) NY

Bernard Kouma                                           6’9        2019              C                                                     Troy (Redemption Christian) NY

Roman Wilson                                             6’9        2019              C                                                     Kansas City (Lincoln Christian) MO

John Rand                                                    6’9       2019              C                                                        East Marion (Columbia) MS

Taylor Currie                                               6’9        2019              PF                                                   Clarkston (H.S.) MI

Babatunde Akingbola                                 6’8        2019              C                                                     Powder Springs (McEachern) GA

D.J. Burns                                                    6’8        2019              C                                                     Rock Hill (H.S.) SC

Oscar Tshebwe                                            6’8        2019              C                                                     Grundy (Mountain Mission) VA

Armando Bacot                                           6’8        2019              PF                                                   Richmond (Trinity Episcopal) VA

B.J. Mack                                                     6’8        2019              PF                                                   Charlotte (Christian) NC – Virginia Tech

Blake Henson                                              6’8        2019              PF                                                   Deltona (H.S.) FL

Omar Payne                                                 6’8        2019              PF                                                   Kissimmee (Osceola) FL

Isaiah Mobley                                              6’8        2019              PF                                                   Temecula (Rancho Christian) CA

Dylan Jones                                                 6’8        2019              PF                                                   Waukee (H.S.) IA

Quinn Slazinski                                           6’8        2019              PF                                                   Houston (Westbury Christian) TX

DeMarcus Paymond                                  6’8        2019              PF                                                    Jackson (Calloway) MS

Tucker Hill                                                  6’8        2019              CF                                                     Luka (Tishomingo County) MS

Jake Kyman                                                 6’7        2019              PF                                                   Rancho Santa Margarita (Santa Margarita)

Cade Potter                                                  6’7        2019              PF                                                   Orange (Lutheran) CA

Eric Dixon                                                   6’7        2019              PF                                                   Abington (H.S.) PA

Raymond Hawkins                                      6’7        2019              PF                                                   Oakland (Bishop O’Dowd) CA

Malcolm Dandridge                                    6’7        2019              PF                                                   Memphis (East) TN

Daniel Boatwright                                       6’7        2019              CF                                                   Canoga Park (H.S.) CA

Ismael Massoud                                          6’7        2019              CF                                                   Granby (McDuffie School) MA

Michael Moreno                                          6’7        2019              WF                                                  Georgetown (Scott County) KY

Zimife Nwokeji                                           6’7        2019              WF                                                  Tallahassee (Maclay School) FL

A.J. Lawson                                                 6’7        2019              WF                                                  Brampton (GTA Prep School) ON

Antwon Jackson                                          6’6        2019              PF                                                   Las Vegas (Clark) NV

Malik Muhammad                                      6’6        2019              PF                                                   Los Angeles (Verbum Dei) CA

Jamon Kemp                                                6’6        2019              CF                                                   Seattle (Garfield) WA

Andrew Delaney                                         6’6        2019              CF                                                   Mullikan Hill (Clearfield Regional) NJ

Aundre Hyatt                                               6’6        2019              WF                                                  Charlottesville (Miller School) VA

Jaimie Jacquez                                            6’6        2019              WF                                                  Camarillo (Aldolpho) CA

Deon Stroud                                                6’6        2019              WF                                                  Fresno (San Joachim Memorial) CA

Donte Scott                                                  6’6        2019              WF                                                  Philadelphia (Imhotep Charter) PA

Josiah James                                                6’6        2019              WF                                                  Charleston (Porter-Gaud School) SC

Kobe Brown                                                6’6        2019              SG                                                   Huntsville (Lee) AL

Max Agbonkpolo                                        6’6        2019              SG                                                   Ranch Santa Margarita (Santa Margarita) CA

Majok Deng                                                 6’5        2019              WF                                                  Tucson (Salpointe Catholic) AZ

Sharif Kenny                                               6’5        2019              WF                                                  Arlington (Bishop O’Connell) VA

Justin Champagne                                       6’5        2019              WF                                                  Brooklyn (Bishop Loughlin) NY

Cobie Banks                                                6’5        2019              WF                                                  Floyds Knob (Floyd Central) IN

Julien Franklin                                             6’5        2019              WF                                                  Villa Park (H.S.) CA

Charles Smith IV                                         6’5        2019              WF                                                  Houston (Westbury Christian) TX

Niven Glover                                               6’5        2019              WF                                                  Orlando (Oakridge) FL

Cade Cunningham                                      6’5        2019              WF                                                  Arlington (Bowie) TX

Josh Nickelberry                                         6’5        2019              WF                                                  Fayetteville (Trinity Catholic) NC

Nate Dominck                                             6’4        2019              WF                                                  Plano (Senior) TX

Robert McRae                                             6’4        2019              WF                                                  Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA

Marvin Price                                                6’4        2019              WF                                                  Hyattsville (DeMatha) MD

Da’mir Faison                                              6’4        2019              SG                                                   Hazelton (Area) PA

Marcus Tschonis                                         6’4        2019              SG                                                   Portland (Jefferson) OR

Mohammed Alausa                                     6’4        2019              SG                                                   Chicago (University Lab) IL

Dexter Shouse                                             6’4        2019              SG                                                   Indianapolis (Lawrence North) IN

Niven Glover                                               6’4        2019              SG                                                   Orlando (Oakridge) FL

Anthony Edwards                                       6’4        2019              SG                                                   Atlanta (Therrell) GA

David Johnson                                             6’4        2019              SG                                                   Louisville (Trinity) KY

Brandon Weatherspoon                           6’4        2019              SG                                                     Camden (Velma Jackson) MS

Amauri Pesek                                              6’3        2019              SG                                                   Omaha (South) NE

Niko Bossinakis                                          6’3        2019              SG                                                   Coffeyville (Heritage) TX

Keenan Jones                                               6’3        2019              SG                                                   Chicago (Whitney Young) IL

Trayvon Williams                                       6’3        2019              SG                                                   West Des Moines (Valley) IA

Jordan Livingston                                       6’3        2019              SG                                                   Burlington (Life Center) NJ

Nick Blake                                                   6’3        2019              SG                                                   Las Vegas (Shadow Ridge) NV

Cartier Bowman                                          6’3        2019              SG                                                   Montclair (Immaculate Conception) NJ

Armaan Franklin                                         6’6        2019              SG                                                   Fishers (H.S.) IN

Idrissa Bivens                                              6’3        2019              CG                                                  Brooklyn (Bishop Loughlin) NY

Anthony Harris                                            6’3        2019              CG                                                  Fairfax (Paul VI) VA

Kira Lewis                                                   6’3        2019              PG                                                   Hazel Green (H.S.) AL

Zach Harvey                                                6’3        2019              PG                                                   Topeka (Hayden) KS

C.J. Rice                                                       6’2        2019              SG                                                   Putnam City (Putnam City West) OK

Chris Harris                                                 6’2        2019              SG                                                   South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie) TX

Isaiah Wong                                                 6’2        2019              SG                                                   Lawrence Township (Notre Dame) NJ

Gianni Hunt                                                 6’2        2019              CG                                                  Torrance (Bishop Montgomery) CA

Jeremiah Francis                                         6’2        2019              PG                                                   Pickerington (Central) OH

Chance Michaels                                         6’2        2019              PG                                                   Las Vegas (Bishop Gorman) NV

Ashton Hughes                                            6’2        2019              PG                                                   Covington (Newton) GA

Sean Harlston                                              6’2        2019              PG                                                   Compton (Dominguez) CA

Taelon Martin                                              6’1        2019              PG                                                   Springfield (Putnam Vo-Tech) MA

Tyree Rankins                                             6’1        2019              PG                                                   Portland (Grant) OR

Tre Mann                                                     6’1        2019              PG                                                   Hawthorne (The Villages) FL

Mario McKinney                                         6’0        2019              PG                                                   St. Louis (Vashon) MO

Marquis Walker                                           6’0        2019              PG                                                   Westchester (St. Joseph) IL

Danny Washington                                    6’0        2019              PG                                                     Greenville (H.S.) MS

Trent Brown                                                6’0        2019              PG                                                   Pinnacle (H.S.) AZ

Jaxen Turner                                                6’0        2019              PG                                                   Moreno Valley (Rancho Verde) CA

Kobe Langley                                              6’0        2019              PG                                                   High Point (SW Guilford) NC – Virginia Tech

Ethan Anderson                                           5’10      2019              PG                                                   Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA

Sahvir Weaver                                             5’7       2019              PG                                                   Houston (Christian) TX – Texas A&M

 That’s our mid-season look at the Class of 2019, we will update the class again after the Spring Evaluation Period, so if you think we missed a deserving player…just email me at [email protected] and I will add them to me spring evaluation list. Up next, will be my first look at the Top 25 “Players to Watch” in the Class of 2020!