Class of 2011 Breakdown
By: Keil Moore
May 10, 2010
Director of Scouting
With the spring well underway and the July evaluation period just around the corner, we thought it was as good a time as any to reevaluate out class of 2011 rankings as a whole. When comparing the Class of 2011 with the previous classes, it stands out due to its depth from top to bottom as well as the strength of the group at the top of the list.
For many of the kids at the top of this list, the USA basketball trials in Colorado Springs, Colorado presents them with a chance to showcase their abilities and move up the list. Last year was a coming out party of sorts for Class of 2012 forward Breanna Stewart (Philly Belles/ North Syracuse, NY) this year should give a number of others the chance to solidify their stock in the top 100. For some an invitation to Colorado may not have been in their cards, for them their work will have to be done at one of the major non-certified spring events around the country, two of note are the West Coast Invitational and the events that take place on Memorial Day weekend. Of course, July will be full of opportunities to alter the order of the final list, with that said, here is a look at some of the story lines that came out of the many debates that went into putting the list together.
The Fab Five
1. The Trio at the Top
Elizabeth Williams (BWSL/ Princess Anne, VA) remains at the top of the class. Over the past year her offensive game has continued to expand, all while she has remained a major force on the defensive side of the basketball. Williams should be outstanding from day one on the college level, her work ethic and work rate will allow her to slide in as a paint controlling force on both the offensive and defensive glass. Whether she will make an immediate impact on the offensive end, or have to develop into a low post scorer throughout her time in college is the only major question mark surrounding her game.
From a rankings standpoint, Williams is linked with two elite wing prospects. Kaleena Masqueda-Lewis (Tennessee Flight/ Santa Ana, CA) and Cierra Burdick (BWSL/ Charlotte, NC). For now, Lewis holds the second spot in our top 100. Lewis, the silky smooth perimeter shooter, is a threat from the mid-range and behind the three point line. She is solid shooting off of the bounce, and has shown the ability to force a double team if she is playing with her back to the basket. Not to be outdone, Cierra Burdick holds the number three spot in the top 100, and while she may be third in the rankings, the gap between these three players is as narrow as it can be. Burdick projects as the most talented player of the three, but has struggled to put it together consistently on the highest stages as well as the other two have. This spring Burdick has stood out as much as any player in the country and if she continues to play at this level will force her way up the list.
2. Jones Makes a Jump
One of the most refreshing things we've seen this summer is the maturization of our #28 player and fourth rated small forward, Morgan Jones (DEBO/ Lake Mary, FL). Jones, who was #47 at the beginning of the year made one of the biggest leaps in our rankings of any prospect in the country. Skillwise, their may not be a more versatile player in the 2011 class than Jones, the knock that had her set in the middle of the pack in out eyes was the inconsistency of her effort. In multiple viewing this spring Jones has not only shown a developed motor, but she has grown from a standoffish young prospect into a polished leader who makes the game easier for those that play with her. We are looking forward to continuing to see growth in her game.
3. Forthan Holds Steady
One of the major big things we were looking to see this spring was how a full year away from high school basketball would effect the development of Krystal Forthan. Forthan sat out this year of high school basketball after moving from Oregon to Texas late last calendar year. This spring Forthan has done nothing to hurt her stock as an elite prospect. The athletic power forward has continued to polish her skill set and expand her game. Her range now extends behind the three point line, and she is still as talented a low post scorer as there is in the class.
4. Where are the Centers?
Outside of the top 10 there is a major absence of true five players who can come in and make a mark on a program. Our #13 player, Rashonda Gray (Cal Sparks/ Los Angeles, CA) is one of those players. Gray is a very athletic five player who is excellent when finishing around the basket. Her ability to score with her back to the basket is still a work in progress, but she has a motor that doesn't stop. Gray is also an intriguing asset for a team that runs a high volume of ball screens with her ability to finish all thee reads. (roll, pop, and slip) At #38 and #39 there are two more five players with major potential, in #38 Ronesha Majors (KC Select/ Huntsville,TX) and Azia Bishop (Michigan Crossover/ Toledo, OH) Majors and Bishop both offer a solid set of skills to go with good size and mobility for the position.
5. What do you like in a Point Guard?
With 26 of the top 100 players listed as point guards, there is certainly a good deal of depth at the position. The #1 point guard in the class, Ariel Massengale (Tennessee Flight/ Boilingbrook, IL) is pure competitor that is constantly in attack mode. While Massengale grades out as one of the smaller point guards in the class, she uses her speed as one of her major tools, but what is most impressive is her ability to use her strength when necessary. After Massengale stand a number of talented, but different lead guards. If you like distributors as your floor general you can look to the Texas A&M commit #8 Alexia Standish (Cy-Fair/ Colleyville, TX) or #62 Jasmine Camp (Georgia Metros/ Atlanta, GA). If you like shooting look no further than #20 Cassie Peoples (Cy-Fair, Cy Fair, TX) and #25 Brene Moseley (BWSL/Burtonsville, MD). The class also has some athletes who excel when using the bounce in #9 Briyona Canty (Gauchos/ Trenton, NJ) and #35 Shakena Richardson (Ring City/ Neptune, NJ)
Keil Moore is the Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com. Moore has been involved in the community since 2007 as a talent evaluator and a trainer. You can reach him at
kmoore@peachstatehoops.com or follow him on Twitter @keilmoore
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