Related: 2023-24 All-American Elite Team | 2023-24 Mr. Basketball USA: Cooper Flagg ?| 2023-24 Underclass Players of the Year | Ballislife Podcast Network?|

Ten juniors named to the 30th Annual All-American Elite Team headline a group of 75 elite players selected to the 2023-24 Underclass All-American team powered by www.ebooksnet.com.

Power forward Cameron Boozer of Columbus (Miami, Fla.) and dynamic junior wing A.J. Dybansta lead the way among underclass players who stood out among the nation’s best players. In fact, Boozer and Dybansta were two of the four leading voter getters in the final 2023-24 Mr. Basketball USA Tracker with both appearing on all 10 ballots. Boozer finished in third place with 78 points, including two second place votes and six third place votes. Dybansta finished with 55 points (out of 100 possible), including one second place vote and two fourth place votes.

Boozer’s and Dybansta’s production and notoriety shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the son of former 1999 All-American Elite Team member and NBA player Carlos Boozer was the first tenth-grader ever to earn Mr. Basketball USA honors in 2022-23. Boozer has a chance to earn class Player of the Year honors in each of his four high school seasons. Dybansta was the top honoree on a team with three McDonald’s All-American choices after re-classifying up in the off-season. Dybansta was on the freshman All-American honor roll in 2022-23 and is considered one of the best prospects in the world outside the NBA.

While Boozer was the nation’s best player in 2022-23 as a sophomore, there were three other highly-regarded tenth-graders that are repeat honorees on this year’s All-American Elite Team. Cooper Flagg of FAB 50 champ Montverde Academy of Florida re-classed up to the 2024 class and was named this year’s Mr. Basketball USA. Repeat third five selection Koa Peat of Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.) and repeat fourth five selection Meleek Thomas of Lincoln Park (Midland, Pa.) have won five state titles between them with one season to go.

Five more juniors were selected to the 30-man second team. No sophomore made this year’s All-American Elite team, but the 2026 class is developing into a special one. There were 30 standout tenth-graders selected as Underclass All-Americans, led by player of the year Jalen Montonati of Owasso (Okla.), and at least a dozen other worthy players who were deserving to make this year’s underclass honor roll.

Each season, players classifying up in order to speed up the recruiting process or transfer in hopes the move will be more advantageous to their development and this off-season is no different. There will also be some who seek a transfer to put themselves in better position to secure Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) endorsement deals. In most states, it is not illegal or against state association rules to sign an endorsement deal, provided that endorsement is not facilitated with the athlete wearing or promoting garments or items trademarked by the state association or the NCAA.

Already it’s been announced that junior wing Hudson Greer will transfer to defending FAB 50 champion Montverde Academy and sophomore guard Kaden House (along with his highly-regarded brother Kalek House) will transfer from their public high school in Arizona to join AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), which is part of the same EYBL Scholastic League that Montverde Academy competes in.

Expect more player movement as the travel ball season and summer rolls on.

National Grassroots Editor Ronnie Flores selects this performance-based squad with input from Mr. Basketball USA panelists. It is chosen after the conclusion of the season, which makes the Underclass All-American Team more reflective of players who made state championship runs.

Our national coach of the year is Jim Baker of Central Cabarrus (Concord, N.C.).

Juniors to Watch (2025)

G — Darius Acuff, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 6-2
F — Kenyon Aguino, Volcano Vista (Albuquerque, N.M.) 6-7
F — Cameron Boozer, Columbus (Miami, Fla.) 6-9
C — DeWayne Brown, Hoover (Ala.) 6-10
G — Brayden Burries, Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.) 6-5
F — A.J. Dybantsa, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) 6-7
G — Jerry Easter, La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) 6-5
G — Jeremiah Fears, AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) 6-3
G — Kingston Flemmings, Brennan (San Antonio, Texas) 6-4
F — Hudson Greer, Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) 6-6
F — D.J. Hall, Plano East (Plano, Texas) 6-7
F — Davion Hannah, Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.) 6-5
G — Jalen Haralson, La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) 6-7
F — Bryce Heard, Homewood-Flossmoor (Flossmoor, Fla.) 6-5
F — Jamier Jones, Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) 6-6
G — Acaden Lewis, Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) 6-2
G — Nyk Lewis, Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) 6-0
G — Chance Mallory, St. Anne’s-Bellfield (Charlottesville, Va.) 5-9
G — Trey McKenney, St. Mary’s Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.) 6-3
G — Kayden Mingo, Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.) 6-1
C — Malachi Moreno, Great Crossing (Georgetown, Ky.) 7-0
F — Koa Peat, Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.) 6-7
G — Darryn Peterson, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) 6-5
C — Xavion Staton, Sierra Vista (Las Vegas, Nev.) 6-11
C — Moustapha Thiam, DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.) 7-1
G — Meleek Thomas, Lincoln Park Performing Arts (Midland, Pa.) 6-3
F — Cameron Ward, Largo (Upper Marlboro, Md.) 6-7
F — Jacob Wilkins, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) 6-7
F — Caleb Wilson, Holy Innocents (Atlanta, Ga.) 6-9
F — Tounde Yessoufou, St. Joseph (Santa Maria, Calif.) 6-5

2024 National Junior of the Year: Cameron Boozer

Sophomores to Watch (2026)
F — Latrell Almond, John Marshall (Richmond, Va.) 6-8
G — Ikenna Alozie, Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.) 6-3
F — J.J. Andrews, Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock, Ark.) 6-5
G — Alijah Arenas, Chatsworth (Calif.) 6-6
F — Cole Cloer, Orange (Hillsborough, N.C.) 6-6
G — Korie Corbett, Ridge View (Columbia, S.C.) 6-4
F — Alexander Costanza, Westminster Christian (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) 6-8
G — Jason Crowe Jr., Lynwood (Calif.) 6-2
C — Moustapha Diop, Walker (Marietta, Ga.) 6-10
C — Sam Funches, Germantown (Madison, Miss.) 6-10
F — Kendre Harrison, Reidsville (N.C.) 6-8
G — Jayden Hodge, St. Rose (Belmar, N.J.) 6-6
G — Cam Holmes, Millennium (Goodyear, Ariz.) 6-5
G — Caleb Holt, Buckhorn (New Market, Ala.) 6-5
G — Kaden House, Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 6-3
G — Jacob Lanier, Maumelle (Ark.) 6-5
G — Taylen Kinney, Newport (Ky.) 6-0
F — Brannon Martinsen, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 6-8
G — Brandon McCoy Jr., St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) 6-4
G — Mason Magee, Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) 6-0
F — Jalen Montonati, Owasso (Okla.) 6-7
G — Jayden Moore, Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) 6-0
G— Dionte Neal, Reidsville (N.C.) 5-9
G — Trent Perry, Lone Star (Frisco, Texas) 6-3
G — Nas Price, Seven Lakes (Katy, Texas) 6-3
F — Dean Rueckert, Timpview (Provo, Utah) 6-6
G — Jordan Smith Jr., Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) 6-4
F — Tyran Stokes, Prolific Prep (Napa. Calif.) 6-7
F — Abdou Toure, Notre Dame (West Haven, Conn.) 6-6
F — Sebastian Wilkins, Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) 6-8

2024 National Sophomore of the Year: Jalen Montonati

Freshmen to Watch (2027)
G — Javon Bardwell, Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 6-4
G — Jacob Canton, Rutgers Prep (Somerset, N.J.) 6-2
G — Jaxson Davis, Warren Township (Gurnee, Ill.) 6-1
G — Cayden Daughtry, Calvary Christian (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) 5-11
G — Silas Graham, Haverford School (Haverford, Pa.) 6-4
F — Ahmad Hudson, Ruston (La.) 6-6
F — Dooney Johnson, Juneau (Milwaukee, Wis.) 6-5
G — Tre Keith, Tri-Cities (East Point, Ga.) 6-3
F — Josh Leonard, Wilson (Florence, S.C.) 6-6
F — Jaylan Mitchell, Reitz Memorial (Evansville, Ind.) 6-7
G — Jordan Page, Broughton Magnet (Raleigh, N.C.) 6-5
F — Jeremiah Profit Jr., Temecula Valley (Temecula, Calif.) 6-5
F — Gene Roebuck, La Mirada (Calif.) 6-5
F — Taj Saragba, Woodstock (Ga.) 6-7
G — Davion Thompson, Bolingbrook (Ill.) 6-2

2024 National Freshman of the Year: Jaylan Mitchell

2023-24 Mr. Basketball USA: Cooper Flagg, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-9 Sr.

National Coach of the Year: Jim Baker, Central Cabarrus (Concord, N.C.).

Note: ESPN selections 2010-2012; EA SPORTS selections 2003-2009; Student Sports selections prior to 2003; Selections are based on high school accomplishment, not future college/pro potential, and are reflective of those that lead their teams to state championships. The editors of www.ebooksnet.com do not knowingly select fifth-year players, and those ineligible due to age or academics, Mr. Basketball USA or to its various All-American teams.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at?[email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter:?@RonMFlores

The post 2023-24 Underclass All-American Elite Team appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Seven juniors named to the 25th Annual All-American Elite Team headline a group of 67 elite players selected to the 2018-19 Underclass All-American team powered by www.ebooksnet.com.

Point guard Sharife Cooper of FAB 50 No. 2 McEachern (Power Springs, Ga.), this year’s National Junior of the Year, was named to the overall All-American first team. Cooper was a first five selection and last year the top junior was also a first five choice off the nation’s No. 2 ranked team. That player is Vernon Carey Jr. of University School (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), who made third five on our performance-based club this season. Prior to Cooper and Carey, DeAndre Ayton of Hillcrest Academy (Phoenix, Ariz.) in 2015-16 was the last junior to be considered among the nation’s five best players.

Two juniors were honored as fourth five selections: Forward Jalen Johnson of FAB 50 No. 24 Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.) and big man Evan Mobley of FAB 50 No. 39 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.). Johnson was the Wisconsin A.P. State Player of the Year for the WIAA D2 state champs. Mobley had a breakout junior season and was a finalist for Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Basketball along with second team All-American choice Jalen Green of San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.), fellow fourth teamer Cassius Stanley of FAB 50 No. 9 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) and eventual honoree and third five choice Onyeka Okongwu of Chino Hills (Calif.), a two-time Elite All-American choice.

No sophomore or freshman was named to the overall first team. The only sophomore to earn first five honors in the last 25 years under the current selection format is NBA superstar LeBron James while at St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio) in 2000-01.

Patrick Baldwin Jr., this year’s National Sophomore of the Year, was the only tenth-grader on the Elite All-American second team. The unofficial runner-up for National Freshman of the Year in 2017-18 to fellow Wisconsin player and Underclass All-American Michael Foster Jr. of Washington (Milwaukee), this year Baldwin earned the nod after improving his production and game to the point where some feel he’s the best prospect in the national 2021 class. Baldwin joined Foster and Johnson (his travel team running mate on Phenom University) on the A.P. all-state first team and Baldwin is the first ever Wisconsin tenth-grader to earn top billing dating back to the 1974-75 season.

In 25 years of publishing our annual All-American teams and including our retroactive teams dating back to the 1954-55 season, no freshman has ever been a first team Al-American selection. Emoni Bates, a prodigal 6-foot-8 forward with incredible offensive skill from Lincoln (Ypsilanti, Mich.) is this year’s National Freshman of the Year. Bates, who is quickly turning into the poser child as leading the next prep-to-pro generation of talent once the NBA rids of its one-and-done rule, is the third freshman ever to earn All-American acclaim and was given consideration for first team. Marvin Bagley of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings made the second team as a freshman in 2014-15 while at Corona Del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.). The first ninth-grader to receive All-American acclaim was 6-foot-8, 215-pound man child Wayne McKoy of Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) back in 1973-74. McKoy remains high school basketball’s only four-time All-American, as Bagley left for college early after his junior season at Sierra Canyon (Calif.) and played one season at Duke before joining the NBA.

The nine All-Americans and 58 other underclass honorees all had standout campaigns for their respective high school teams, while others are sure to emerge this summer as bona fide 2019-20 All-America candidates. Nearly every summer on the grassroots circuit, lesser-known commodities eclipse well-known players.

It’s a yearly ritual for some underclass All-Americans to change programs and each year, more players are classifying up in order to speed up the recruiting process or join a class that will be more advantageous to their development.

Green will spend his senior season at Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) after three seasons at San Joaquin Memorial. Expect more player movement and some more reclassification as the summer rolls on.

National Grassroots Editor Ronnie Flores selects this performance-based squad with input from Mr. Basketball USA panelists. It is chosen after the conclusion of the season, which makes the Underclass All-American Team more reflective of players who made state championship runs.

Our national coach of the year is Carl Kremer of Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio).

Juniors to Watch (2020)

G — Adrian “Ace” Baldwin, St. Frances (Baltimore, Md.) 5-11
F — Scottie Barnes, University (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) 6-7
G — Reece Beekman, Scotlandville (Baton, Rouge, La.) 6-2
F — Brandon Boston, Norcross (Ga.) 6-6
F — Greg Brown III, Vandegrift (Austin, Texas) 6-7
F — Jaemyn Brakefield, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W.V.) 6-8
G — Josh Christopher, Mayfair (Lakewood, Calif.) 6-4
G — Jalen Cook, Landry Walker (New Orleans, La.) 6-0
G — Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) 5-10
G — Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-5
G — Andre Curbelo, Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head N. Y.) 6-0
C — N’Faly Dante, Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Air, Kan.) 6-11
G — Jyare Davis, Sanford School (Hockessin, Del.) 6-7
G — Jalen Green, San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) 6-4
G — R.J. Hampton, Little Elm (Texas) 6-5
F — Jalen Johnson, Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.) 6-7
F — Keon Johnson, The Webb School (Bell Buckle, Tenn.) 6-5
F — Adam Miller, Morgan Park (Chicago, Ill.) 6-4
C — Evan Mobley, Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.) 7-0
G — Ethan Morton, Butler Area (Butler, Pa.) 6-5
C — Day’Ron Sharpe, South Central (Winterville, N.C.) 6-9
G — Jaden Springer, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 6-3
G — D.J. Steward, Whitney Young (Chicago, Ill.) 6-4
F — Julian Strawther, Liberty (Henderson, Nev.) 6-7
G — Jalen Suggs, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Minn.) 6-3
G — Cam Thomas, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 6-3
G — Bryce Thompson, Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.) 6-5
F — Earl Timberlake, DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 6-5
F — Kyree Walker, Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) 6-5
F — Terrence Williams, Gonzaga (Washington, D. C.) 6-6

2019 National Junior of the Year: Sharife Cooper
Wasn’t a difficult choice as this dynamic point guard was the only junior named to the first five on the overall Elite All-American team and was one of four All-Americans to appear on nine of the 10 ballots in the final Mr. Basketball USA Tracker. It’s quite remarkable that Cooper was seriously considered for national player of the year as only three of the game’s all-time greats (LeBron James, Lew Alcindor, Jerry Lucas) have been selected the nation’s best as eleventh-graders. McEachern was simply on a mission this season after coming up short in the playoffs the previous two seasons and Cooper was the catalyst, averaging 28.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 8.2 apg and 4.spg and scoring over 40 points four times for a team that won its first ever GHSA Class 7A crown. He put up those numbers against one of the best schedules in the country while leading McEachern to a 32-0 record and nine wins over FAB 50 ranked clubs and three more against teams that were ranked at the time of the contest. Cooper is the third junior honoree from Georgia dating back to the 1969-70 season, joining Lithonia Miller Grove’s Tony Parker (2011) and Snellville South Gwinnett’s Lou Williams (2004).

Sophomores to Watch (2021)

F — Trey Alexander, Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 6-4
G — Devin Askew, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 6-4
F — Patrick Baldwin Jr., Hamilton (Sussex, Wis.) 6-8
C — Nate Bittle, Crater (Central Point, Ore.) 6-11
G — Kennedy Chandler, Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.) 6-1
F — Paolo Banchero, O’Dea (Seattle, Wash.) 6-9
F — Max Christie, Rolling Meadows (Rolling Meadows, Ill.) 6-6
F — Terrence Clarke, Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N. H.) 6-6
G — Zaon Collins, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 6-1
G — Rashool Diggins, Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) 6-1
C — Michael Foster Jr., Washington (Milwaukee, Wis.) 6-9
G — Adrian Griffin Jr., Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) 6-4
G — Jaden Hardy, Coronado (Henderson, Nev.) 6-4
G — Chucky Hepburn, Bellevue West (Bellevue, Neb.) 6-1
F — Daron Holmes, Millennium (Goodyear, Ariz.) 6-9
F — Will Jeffress, McDowell (Erie, Pa.) 6-6
G — Jackie Johnson, Wichita Southeast (Wichita, Kan.) 5-10
G — Trevor Keels, Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) 6-5
F — Harrison Ingram, St. Mark’s (Dallas, Texas) 6-6
G — Langston Love, Steele (Cibolo, Texas) 6-4
G — Carson McCorkle, Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N. C.) 6-4
F — Aminu Mohammed, Greenwood Laboratory (Springfield, Mo.) 6-5
F — Jonathan Kuminga, Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.) 6-8
F — Trey Patterson, Rutgers Prep (Somerset, N.J.) 6-7
G — Daeshon Ruffin, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.) 5-9

2019 National Sophomore of the Year: Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Last season Michael Foster Jr. edged Baldwin as the honoree among freshmen, but this time around the skilled wing forward gets the nod. Both are considered among the top prospects nationally in the 2021 class and are part of a terrific group of talented underclassmen in Wisconsin. In fact, some recruiting experts consider Baldwin the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the class. He followed up a terrific freshman campaign where he averaged 16 ppg and 5.4 rpg with averages of 18.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 3.1 apg for a 24-5 club that advanced to the WIAA D1 quarterfinals. Along the way, Foster was named a first team A.P. all-state selection, which only had one senior chosen among the first five. In 2017-18, Foster was the first freshman ever from Wisconsin to earn top billing among first-year players and this season the son of UW-Milwaukee coach Patrick Baldwin is the first ever among tenth-graders dating back to the 1974-1975 season.

Freshmen to Watch (2022)

F — Emoni Bates, Lincoln (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 6-8
G — Jameel “Milzy” Brown, Haverford School (Haverford, Pa.) 6-1
G — Zion Cruz, Hudson Catholic (Hudson, N.J.) 6-3
C — Jalen Duren, Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa.) 6-9
G — Bryce Griggs, Fort Bend Hightower (Missouri City, Texas) 6-1
G — Ricky “Pop Pop” Isaacs Jr., Coronado (Henderson, Nev.) 6-1
G — Chris Livingston, Buchtel (Akron, Ohio) 6-5
G — Knasir “Dug” McDaniel, Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) 5-9
F — Tai Manning, Grandview (Mo.) 6-6
F — Mark Mitchell, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.) 6-6
G — M.J. Rice, Durham Academy (Durham, N.C.) 6-5
F — Jarace Walker, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 6-6

2019 National Freshman of the Year: Emoni Bates
This year produced another bumper crop of first-year players, but it didn’t take long to peg the 6-foot-8 forward with a sweet shooting touch as the best of the lot. In fact, Bates was so impressive in leading Lincoln to the MHSAA D1 state title he was named D1 state player of the year by the Associated Press and Gatorade State Player of the Year. Bates led Lincoln to the D1 state crown by scoring 23 points in a 64-62 victory over University of Detroit Jesuit, but it was senior Jalen Fisher that hit the game-winning jumper at the buzzer. It’s pretty safe to say Lincoln wouldn’t have been in position to win a state crown without its top shelf first-year player, as Bates had 31 points and 14 rebounds in a 72-56 state semifinal win over Howell and hit two game-winning post-season shots. For the season, Bates averaged 28.7 points and 10.2 rebounds. He’s not only considered the best player in the class of 2022 at this stage, he’s already considered one of the best long-term prospects in all of high school basketball and a candidate to turn pro out of high school should the NBA end the one-and-done era that has been in place since 2006. Bates is Michigan’s first freshman honoree since Marcus Taylor of Waverly (Lansing, Mich.) for the 1996-97 season and rivals 1988 honoree Chris Webber (Detroit Country Day) as the best freshman the state of Michigan has ever produced.

National Coach of the Year: Carl Kremer, Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Related: 2018-19 All-American Elite Team | 2018-19 Mr. Basketball USA: Isaiah Stewart

Note: ESPN selections 2010-2012; EA SPORTS selections 2003-2009; Student Sports selections prior to 2003; Selections are based on high school accomplishment, not future college/pro potential, and are reflective of those that lead their teams to state championships. The editors of www.ebooksnet.com do not knowingly select fifth-year players, and those ineligible due to age or academics, Mr. Basketball USA or to its various All-American teams.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

The post 2018-19 Underclass All-American Team Announced! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Four juniors named to the 24th Annual All-American Elite Team headline a group of 65 elite players selected to the 2017-18 Underclass All-American team powered by www.ebooksnet.com.

Forward Vernon Carey Jr. of FAB 50 No. 2 University School (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), this year’s National Junior of the Year, was named to the overall All-American first team. Carey was a first five selection, the first junior since DeAndre Ayton of Hillcrest Academy (Phoenix, Ariz.) in 2015-16 to be considered among the nation’s five best players.

Three junior big men were honored as fourth five selections: recent USC pledge and Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Basketball Onyeka Okongwu of Chino Hills (Calif.), James Wiseman, the leading scorer for FAB 50 No. 4 Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.), and Charles Bassey of Aspire Academy (Louisville, Ky.), the national freshman of the year in 2015-16.

No sophomore or freshman was named to the overall first team. The only sophomore to earn first five honors in the last 24 years under the current selection format is NBA superstar LeBron James while at St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio) in 2000-01.

The four All-Americans and 61 other underclass honorees all had standout campaigns for their respective high school teams, while others are sure to emerge this summer as bona fide 2017-18 All-America candidates. Nearly every summer on the grassroots circuit, well-known players are eclipsed by lesser-known commodities.

It’s a yearly ritual for some underclass All-Americans to change programs and each year, more players are classifying up in order to speed up the recruiting process or join a class that will be more advantageous to their development.

Two talented sophomore All-Americans from Arizona, Kyree Walker of Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Nico Mannion of Class 6A state champ Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.) are expected to join the 2019 class. Junior All-American Ashton Hagans of Newton (Covington, Ga.) has pledged to Kentucky and is expected to join the Wildcats in 2018-19. Another junior who has talked about potentially re-classifying is Jalen Lecque of Christ School (Arden, N.C.).

Expect player movement and some more reclassification as the summer rolls on.

This performance-based squad is selected by National Grassroots Editor Ronnie Flores with input from Mr. Basketball USA panelists. It is chosen after the conclusion of the season, which makes the Underclass All-American Team more reflective of players who made state championship runs.

Our national coach of the year is Josh Luedtke of Creighton Prep (Omaha, Neb.).

Juniors to Watch (2019)

F — Precious Achiuwa, St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.) 6-9
G — Bryan Antoine, Ranney School (Eatontown, N.J.) 6-3
G — Cole Anthony, Archbishop Malloy (Queens, N.Y.) 6-2
F — Armando Bacot, Trinity Episcopal (Richmond, Va.) 6-10
C — Charles Bassey, Aspire Academy (Louisville, Ky.) 6-10
F — Vernon Carey Jr., University (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) 6-9
F — Eric Dixon, Abington (Pa.) 6-7
G — Joe Girard III, Glens Falls (N.Y.) 6-1
G — Brycen Goodine, St. Andrew’s (Barrington, R.I.) 6-4
G — Ashton Hagans, Newton (Covington, Ga.) 6-4
G — Jaelen House, Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.) 6-1
F — Matt Hurt, John Marshall (Rochester, Minn.) 6-9
F — D.J. Jeffries, Olive Branch (Miss.) 6-7
G — Rylon Jones, Olympus (Salt Lake City, Utah) 6-0
G — Jalen Lecque, Christ School (Arden, N.C.) 6-4
G — Scottie Lewis, Ranney School (Eatontown, N.J.) 6-5
G — E.J. Liddell, Belleville West (Ill.) 6-7
G — Tyrese Maxey, South Garland (South Garland, Texas) 6-3
F — Jaden McDaniels, Federal Way (Federal Way, Wash.) 6-8
G — Justin Moore, DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 6-4
F — Wendell Moore Jr., Cox Mill (Concord, N.C.) 6-6
C — Onyeka Okongwu, Chino Hills (Calif.) 6-9
G — Isaac Okoro, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) 6-5
F — Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.) 6-8
F — Isaiah Stewart, La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) 6-8
G — Marcus Tsohonis, Jefferson (Portland, Ore.) 6-5
F — Trendon Watford, Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.) 6-8
F — Anton Watson, Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.) 6-7
F — James Wiseman, Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.) 6-11
F — Romeo Weems, New Haven (Mich.) 6-6

2018 National Junior of the Year: Vernon Carey Jr.
Wasn’t a difficult choice over three talented other big men who also were named to the overall All-American team, as Carey had the best combination of team success and individual production. The son of former Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Vernon Carey, Junior used a nice combination of size and agility to dominate foes inside. Against a rugged schedule, Carey averaged 26.0 ppg, 10.4 rpg and 4 bpg for the No. 2 team in the FAB 50. For his efforts, Carey was named Florida’s Mr. Basketball over a strong in-state class of senior candidates. Carey is the first junior honoree from Florida since Austin Rivers of Winter Park and Brandon Knight of Ft. Lauderdale Pine Crest were honored in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Sophomores to Watch (2020)

G — Adrian Baldwin, St. Frances (Baltimore, Md.) 5-11
F — Scottie Barnes, University (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) 6-7
F — Brandon Boston, Norcross (Ga.) 6-3
F — Greg Brown III, Vandegrift (Austin, Texas) 6-7
F — Jaemyn Brakefield, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W.V.) 6-8
G — Josh Christopher, Mayfair (Lakewood, Calif.) 6-4
G — Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) 5-10
G — Cade Cunningham, Bowie (Arlington, Texas) 6-5
F — N’Faly Dante, Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Air, Kan.) 6-11
C — Hunter Dickinson, DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 6-11
G — Lynn Greer III, Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa.) 6-3
G — Jalen Green, San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) 6-4
G — R.J. Hampton, Little Elm (Texas) 6-5
F — Jalen Johnson, Sun Prairie (Wis.) 6-7
F — Keon Johnson, The Webb School (Bell Buckle, Tenn.) 6-5
G — Nico Mannion, Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.) 6-2
C — Evan Mobley, Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.) 7-0
G — Moses Moody, North Little Rock (Little Rock, Ark.) 6-5
G — Jeremy Roach, Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) 6-2
G — Jaden Springer, Rocky River (Mint Hill, N.C.) 6-3
F — Julian Strawther, Liberty (Henderson, Nev.) 6-7
G — Jalen Suggs, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Minn.) 6-3
F — Isaiah Todd, Marshall (Richmond, Va.) 6-9
F — Kyree Walker, Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) 6-5
F — Terrence Williams, Gonzaga (Washington, D. C.) 6-6

2018 National Sophomore of the Year: Jalen Suggs
Last year’s top player among freshman, Suggs is again the honoree in his class as he edges an impressive group of candidates in what is shaping up as a strong class. A smooth ball-handler who can facilitate and score, Suggs became more of a physical player this season on the boards and on defense in leading the Redhawks to a second consecutive Class 2A state crown. After first starring on the varsity as a seventh-grader, Suggs averaged 17.5 ppg as an eighth-grader and 21.5 ppg last season as a ninth-grader. This past season on a more balanced offensive team, the Grid-Hoop standout averaged 16.0 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 4.5 apg and 3.4 spg for a 28-4 team that didn’t play home games because of a tragic school explosion right before the school year started. Suggs had 27 points, five rebounds and eight assists in the state title game and 19 points and 14 rebounds in a victory over third five All-American Tre Jones and 4A finalist Apple Valley. Jones was named first five A.P. all-state along with three others honored on one of our All-American teams and is Minnesota’s first tenth-grade honoree dating back to the 1974-1975 season.

Freshmen to Watch (2021)

F — Patrick Baldwin Jr., Hamilton (Sussex, Wis.) 6-8
F — Terrence Clarke, The Rivers School (Weston, Mass.) 6-5
C — Michael Foster Jr., Washington (Milwaukee, Wis.) 6-9
G — Adrian Griffin Jr., Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) 6-4
G — Jaden Hardy, Coronado (Henderson, Nev.) 6-4
G — Zion Harmon, Adair County (Columbia, Ky.) 5-10
G — Meechie Johnson, Garfield Heights (Ohio) 5-11
F — Aminu Mohammed, Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.) 6-5
F — Trey Patterson, Rutgers Prep (Somerset, N.J.) 6-7
G — Daeshon Ruffin, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.) 5-9

2018 National Freshman of the Year: Michael Foster Jr.
Last season there was a fantastic group of guards and this year there is yet more high-scoring ninth-graders. The most talented front-court players who had big impacts on their respective team, however, both played within a short drive of each other. Foster has been a well-known commodity in Milwaukee for many years and the region added Patrick Baldwin Jr. when his father took the UW-Milwaukee job. The choice came down to those two, and we go with Foster based on his statistical output and team success. After skipping eighth-grade to enroll at Washington, Foster averaged 19.1 ppg, 11.7 rpg and 2.5 bpg for a team that advanced to the WIAA D2 state title game. Baldwin, who is more of a traditional wing forward, was nearly as successful, averaging 16.0 ppg and 5.4 rpg for a team that advanced to the WIAA D1 semifinals. Foster, who has drawn some caparison to former Milwaukee Hamilton standout and 2014 third five All-American Kevon Looney and had already committed to Arizona St., is the first ever ninth-grade honoree from the state dating back to the 1976-1977 season.

National Coach of the Year: Josh Luedtke, Creighton Prep (Omaha, Neb.)

Related: 2017-18 All-American Elite Team | 2017-18 Mr. Basketball USA: R.J. Barrett

Note: ESPN selections 2010-2012; EA SPORTS selections 2003-2009; Student Sports selections prior to 2003; Selections are based on high school accomplishment, not future college/pro potential, and are reflective of those that lead their teams to state championships. The editors of www.ebooksnet.com do not knowingly select fifth-year players, and those ineligible due to age or academics, Mr. Basketball USA or to its various All-American teams.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

The post 2017-18 Underclass All-American Team Announced! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Related: 2016-17 All-American Elite Team | 2016-17 Mr. Basketball USA: Michael Porter Jr.

Seven juniors and one special sophomore named to the 23rd Annual All-American Elite Team headline a group of 70 elite players selected to the 2016-17 Underclass All-American team powered by www.ebooksnet.com.

Forward Marvin Bagley Jr. of Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), this year’s National Junior of the Year, and Internet sensation Zion Williamson of Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg, S.C.) were named to the overall All-American first team. Both players were second five selections.

National Sophomore of the Year R.J. Barrett of Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) was a fourth five selection on the first team. The only sophomore to earn first five honors in the last 23 years under the current selection format is NBA superstar LeBron James while at St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio) in 2000-01.

The eight All-Americans and 62 other underclass honorees all had standout campaigns for their respective high school teams, while others are sure to emerge this summer as bona fide 2017-18 All-America candidates. Nearly every summer on the grassroots circuit, well-known players are eclipsed by lesser-known commodities, and every so often a prospect comes out of nowhere to emerge as a Mr. Basketball USA candidate as was the case in 2016-17 with first five All-American selection and Ballislife All-American Game MVP Collin Sexton of Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.).

It’s a yearly ritual for some underclass All-Americans to change programs. Freshman Kyree Walker of Moreau Catholic (Hayward, Calif.) is headed to Hillcrest Academy (Phoenix, Ariz.). That’s the program where Arizona-bound DeAndre Ayton played at the past two seasons after spending his sophomore year at Balboa School (San Diego, Calif.). More players each year are also re-classifying up in order to speed up the recruiting process or join a class that will be more advantageous to their development. Walker is expected to join the 2019 class while sophomore point guard Tyger Campbell of FAB 50 No. 2 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) is expected to re-classify to the 2018 class.

Expect more player movement and some reclassification as the summer rolls on.

This performance-based squad is selected by National Grassroots Editor Ronnie Flores with input from Mr. Basketball USA panelists. It is chosen after the conclusion of the season, which makes the Underclass All-American Team more reflective of players who made state championship runs.

Our national coach of the year is Freddy Johnson of Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.).

Juniors to Watch (2018)

F — Marvin Bagley III, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) 6-10
C — Jordan Brown, Woodcreek (Roseville, Calif.) 6-10
F — Taeshon Cherry, St. Augustine (San Diego, Calif.) 6-8
G — Ayo Dosunmu, Morgan Park (Chicago) 6-4
G — Devon Dotson, Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.) 6-2
F — Marcellus Earlington, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) 6-4
G — Darius Garland, Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tenn.) 5-11
G — Quentin Grimes, College Park (The Woodlands, Texas) 6-5
G — Mason Harrell, Carl Albert (Midwest City, Okla.) 5-8
G — Tyler Harris, Cordova (Memphis, Tenn.) 5-9
G — Nigel Hawkins, Cy Falls (Houston) 6-3
F — Joey Hauser, Stevens Point (Wis.) 6-8
F — Aaron Henry, Ben Davis (Indianapolis, Ind.) 6-6
F — Kamaka Hepa, Jefferson (Portland, Ore.) 6-9
F — Jaylen Hoard, Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.) 6-9
G — Prentiss Hubb, Gonzaga College (Washington, D.C.) 6-3
F — Brandon Johns, East Lansing (Mich.) 6-8
G — Tre Jones, Apple Valley (Minn.) 6-2
G — Tavon Jones, Linden (N.J.) 6-4
G — Romeo Langford, New Albany (Ind.) 6-4
F — Gerald Liddell, Steele (Cibolo, Texas) 6-7
G — Alex Lomax, East Memphis (Memphis, Tenn.) 5-11
G — Foster Loyer, Clarkston (Mich.) 5-11
G — Jordan McCabe, Kaukauna (Wis.) 5-10
F — Khavon Moore, Westside (Macon, Ga.) 6-8
F — Jontay Porter, Nathan Hale (Seattle, Wash.) 6-8
G — Immanuel Quickley, John Carroll (Bel Air, Md.) 6-3
G — Jahvon Quinerly, Hudson Catholic (Jersey City, N.J.) 6-2
G — Courtney Ramey, Webster Groves (Mo.) 6-3
G — Desi Sills, Jonesboro (Ark.) 6-1
G — Javonte Smart, Scotlandville Magnet (Baton Rouge, La.) 6-4
F — Jalen Smith, Mt. St Joseph (Baltimore, Md.) 6-10
G — Joe Wieskamp, Muscatine (Iowa) 6-6
F — Zion Williamson, Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg, S.C.) 6-7
F — Robert Woodard, Columbus (Miss.) 6-6

2017 National Junior of the Year: Marvin Bagley III
Nipped Zion Williamson for this honor mainly because of similar production against much better overall competition. In fact, no team recorded as many quality regular-season wins as Sierra Canyon did, and Bagley was a big reason, averaging 24.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg while shooting 66 percent from the field. He might be the most talented all-around frontcourt player to play in California since 1984 Mr. Basketball USA John Williams of L.A. Crenshaw. Prior to Bagley, the last player from a California program to earn top honors among juniors was Tyson Chandler of Dominguez (Compton, Calif.) when the Dons were named FAB 50 national champions at the end of the 1999-2000 season.

Sophomores to Watch (2019)

G — Avery Anderson, Northwest (Justin, Texas) 6-3
G — Bryan Antoine, Ranney School (Eatontown, N.J.) 6-3
G — Cole Anthony, Archbishop Malloy (Queens, N.Y.) 6-2
F — Armando Bacot, Trinity Episcopal (Richmond, Va.) 6-9
G — LaMelo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.) 6-2
G — R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-7
C — Charles Bassey, St. Anthony (San Antonio, Texas) 6-10
F — Keion Brooks, North Side (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) 6-8
G — Tyger Campbell, La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) 6-0
F — Vernon Carey Jr., University (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) 6-9
G — Joe Girard III, Glens Falls (N.Y.) 6-1
G — Jaelen House, Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.) 6-1
F — Matt Hurt, John Marshall (Rochester, Minn.) 6-9
F — D.J. Jeffries, Olive Branch (Miss.) 6-7
F — Chandler Lawson, Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.) 6-9
F — Michael Moreno, Scott County (Georgetown, Ky.) 6-6
F — Wendell Moore Jr., Cox Mill (Concord, N.C.) 6-6
F — Paul Mulcahy, Gill St. Bernard’s (Gladstone, N.J.) 6-3
C — Onyeka Okongwu, Chino Hills (Calif.) 6-9
G — Isaac Okoro, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) 6-5
G — Marvin Price, Patterson (Baltimore, Md.) 6-5
F — Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.) 6-8
G — Cassius Stanley, Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.) 6-4
F — Trendon Watford, Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.) 6-8
F — Romeo Weems, New Haven (Mich.) 6-6

2017 National Sophomore of the Year: R.J. Barrett
Last year’s top player among freshman, Charles Bassey, had a tumultuous season in terms to his team’s eligibility status and by missing the TCAL playoffs because of injury. That opened up the door wider for Barrett, and he was so impressive this season the issues Bassey dealt with may not have mattered anyway. For a team vying for the mythical national championship every season, it’s quite impressive to see a tenth-grader dominate games in the fashion this smooth and talented guard did. In addition to being Montverde’s leading scorer the past two seasons, Barrett averaged 18.4 ppg and 4.6 rebounds for Team Canada’s 17U club last summer. He’s the first sophomore selection from a Florida program dating back to the 1974-75 season, as 2015 Mr. Basketball USA Ben Simmons of Montverde Academy did not join the Eagles until late in the 2012-13 season.

Freshmen to Watch (2020)

G — Nimari Burnett, Morgan Park (Chicago) 6-2
G — Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) 5-9
F — Jyare Davis, Sanford (Hockessin, Del.) 6-5
G — Jalen Green, San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) 6-4
G — R.J. Hampton, Little Elm (Texas) 6-5
G — Nico Mannion, Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.) 6-1
G — Jaden Springer, Rocky River (Mint Hill, N.C.) 6-3
G — Jalen Suggs, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Minn.) 6-3
F — Isaiah Todd, Marshall (Richmond, Va.) 6-9
F — Kyree Walker, Moreau Catholic (Hayward, Calif.) 6-5

2017 National Freshman of the Year: Jalen Suggs
There wasn’t a dominant or potential generational big man entering high school basketball like there was the past two seasons with Charles Bassey (2016) or Marvin Bagley (2015), so this pick was a bit more difficult. It came down to a stellar group of guards and wings that handle the ball and score a ton. At the end of the day, we decided to go with Suggs for his production on a winning team and his mature disposition. A smooth and tight ball-handler who makes the game look easy at times, Suggs led Minnehaha Academy to the state Class AA title by averaging 21.5 points a game while handling point guard duties. Also a great prospect at quarterback on the gridiron, Suggs is already one of the most watched players on the 17U travel ball circuit and could develop into one of Minnesota’s best players in a generation. He’s is the first ever ninth-grade honoree from the state dating back to the 1976-1977 season.

National Coach of the Year: Freddy Johnson, Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.)

Related: 2016-17 All-American Elite Team | 2016-17 Mr. Basketball USA: Michael Porter Jr.

Note: Grassroots Hoops selections 2013-2015; ESPN selections 2010-2012; EA SPORTS selections 2003-2009; Student Sports selections prior to 2003; Selections are based on high school accomplishment, not future college/pro potential, and are reflective of those that lead their teams to state championships. The editors of www.ebooksnet.com do not knowingly select fifth-year players, and those ineligible due to age or academics, Mr. Basketball USA or to its various All-American teams.

Ronnie Flores is the Publisher and Editor of GrassrootsHoops.net. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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