Class of 2019: Potential One-and-Done Prospects

The high school careers of the Class of 2019 has come to an end. With the McDonald’s All-American Game passing, just three more All-Star showcases remain in the Nike Hoop Summit (Portland, Ore.), Jordan Brand Classic (Las Vegas, Nev.) and the Iverson Roundball Classic (Souderton, Pa.)

After covering the players over last few years, I’d like point out who could potentially be one-and-done after next season. The NBA is still working on changing the one-and-done, which would allow players to jump straight from high school to the league. This change could be effective in time for the Class of 2021 or 2022, but only time will tell.

Scottie Lewis (Ranney School, NJ) Florida commit

I’ve always admired the game of Scottie Lewis, and now the Florida commit certainly could be a one-and-done prospect after a year in Gainesville. He is a 6-foot-5 two-guard and/or wing possessing gifted athleticism and long arms with a tremendous wingspan.

Lewis is an efficient player on both ends of the floor. Watching him this year, he has definitely improved in his offensive game. He can get his shot off when he wants too, and besides his skill when slashing to the rim, Lewis is a perimeter threat with his three-point shooting and will be able to spread defenses next season in the SEC.

With senior guards Jalen Hudson and KeVaughn Allen departing from Florida, Scottie can make an immediate impact for the young Gators who are coming off a second round NCAA Tournament appearance.

Anthony Edwards (Holy Spirit Prep, GA) Georgia commit

NBA scouts have been drooling over the talent of Anthony “Ant-Man” Edwards for the last two years now. He reclassified up to 2019 after being in the Class of 2020 last year.

Anthony sits at 6-foot-5, with a NBA type of body for a kid his age. He draws shades to a more athletic James Harden, and that is saying a lot. His scoring ability looks effortless at times, and it shows in every game he plays. Committing to Georgia was a big get for Tom Crean and his staff. Edwards will be a contender for SEC Player of the Year, and maybe even more than that.

Anthony is already projected to be a Top-5 lottery pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. All he needs to do is carry the same energy he’s shown in high school with him to the college floor. With Edwards going to Athens, we shouldn’t be surprised to see the Bulldogs in the NCAA Tournament next season.

James Wiseman (Memphis East, TN) Memphis commit

James Wiseman will be the next hometown hero in Memphis. Head coach and former NBA standout Penny Hardaway successfully recruited him after coaching him on the NIKE EYBL circuit and at Memphis East High School.

Wiseman is currently sitting at No. 1 in the ESPN Class of 2019 rankings, and he’ll probably finish out the year at that spot. He’s a 7-foot center with a Clint Capela like wingspan. Wiseman is also projected to be a Top-10 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and possibly the No. 1 overall pick.

Wiseman’s elite rim protection is probably the skill that stands out the most. He’s a powerful finisher at the rim, and a very mobile big who can run rim to rim. He’ll be a lob catcher and has expanded his game a bit by showing an ability to knockdown jumpers outside the painted area.

Penny Hardaway turned in a solid season in his first stint with Memphis, and we should certainly look for them to be back in the national rankings with guys like Wiseman and other Top-100 prospects coming in next season.

Cole Anthony (Oak Hill Academy, VA) undecided

The New York native, Cole Anthony, is currently ranked as the No. 2 prospect in this 2019 class by ESPN. He is also the top remaining unsigned senior. The final five schools he is considering are North Carolina, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Wake Forest and Oregon.

Anthony is a 6-foot-3 point guard who has shown tremendous upside. He is an explosive athlete and the kid can flat out ball. He is able to score on all three levels of the floor. He is a dynamic guard that will bring leadership to any team he plays for. Wherever he decides to go, Anthony will become one of the top point guard prospects in the NCAA.

If I had to guess where he will go next season? With Coby White likely declaring for the NBA Draft, the Tar Heels will need to fill the point guard position, and who better than Cole Anthony? He is also very close with North Carolina commit Armando Bacot Jr.

Precious Achiuwa (Montverde Academy, FL) undecided

Precious Achiuwa might not be a pure scorer, but his size, body frame, and overall skill-set will have NBA scouts continuing to keep an eye on him.

Achiuwa sits at 6-foot-9 and weighs about 220 pounds. At that height and size, he displays great mobility while the running the floor and finishing in transition. He’s also one of the top lockdown defenders in his class and uses his wingspan to disrupt passing lanes and be effective on the defensive end of the floor.

Achiuwa has yet to decide on where he will attend in the fall, but he will be making his decision soon. He holds offers from schools like North Carolina, Kansas, UCONN, Florida State, St. John’s, and more. The Bronx native transferred to Montverde Academy this past year after spending his junior campaign at St. Benedict’s in Newark.

Jaden McDaniels (Federal Way, WA) undecided

We could certainly be looking at a Kevin Durant type player with Jaden McDaniels. Like Edwards, NBA scouts have tracking Jaden and his older brother Jalen, who just finished his sophomore season at San Diego State.

McDaniels is a special prospect that sits at 6-foot-11. He has the length, size and body type that’s comparable to players like Kevin Durant or even Jonathan Issac. He sees over most defenders when he’s on the floor, and he can score from all three levels. With the upside he holds, McDaniels certainly looks like a one-and-done type of talent.

His final five schools include Washington, San Diego State, Kentucky, Texas, and UCLA. It’s is a strong possibility that he could end up at his home school of Washington in Seattle, where Top-5 center Isaiah Stewart is already headed. San Diego State, where his older brother Jalen attends, or even Kentucky, who you can never count out when it comes to the top players in the nation.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (IMG Academy, FL) Villanova commit

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl certainly opened the eyes of NBA scouts last week during the McDonald’s All-American practices. The 6-foot-9 forward certainly could be in the conversation for a 2020 NBA Draft lottery pick. Why? With his size, Robinson-Earl has an extremely high-motor and great mobility and footwork. He is an energizer bunny who seems to never grow tired when on the floor.

With the system Jay Wright runs at Villanova, Robinson-Earl will fit perfectly playing the three, four, and five position. He is a versatile playmaker, knocking down shots from beyond the arc and being able to guard every position on the defensive end. With Villanova forward Eric Paschall headed for the Draft, Robinson-Earl could fill his spot nicely at the stretch forward position.

Josh Green (IMG Academy, FL) Arizona commit

The next Australian star is without question Josh Green, who will be joining Top-10 point guard and former AAU teammate Nico Mannion at Arizona. Green is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard who’s a deadly threat from the perimeter and a high-percentage knockdown shooter from three point land. He holds great size at the two-guard position and is one of the top defenders in the Class of 2019.

Green is a 3-and-D playmaker and is able to run the floor extremely well in the open court. He should make an immediate impact next season in Tucson alongside Mannion. If he can show consistency with his shooting stroke and shot making abilities, then don’t be surprised if he raises his stock on NBA draft boards.

Whether Arizona head coach Sean Miller is there or not next season, the Wildcats should be back up in the national rankings and contending for a deep run in the tournament.

Matthew Hurt (John Marshall, MN) undecided

The 6-foot-9 forward Matthew Hurt has yet to make a decision on where he will attend next season. His finalists include Kansas, UNC, Kentucky, and Duke. Hurt is an extremely versatile forward who will certainly fit in with today’s modern NBA game. He is a stretch four who will be able to pick-and-pop to the three-point line to knockdown shots from beyond the arc. He can also put the ball on the floor to make a play.

A potential one-and-done is certainly a possibility for Hurt, but he can also be considered a future lottery pick as well. Besides his outstanding offensive skillset, he is also able to defend every position. He possesses great footwork and also a high-efficiency when on the floor. He’s not afraid to throw it down on his defenders either as he possesses sneaky good athleticism.

Other Potential One-and-Dones:

Those are just my top prospects in the Class of 2019 who have a high chance at being one-and-done. Other prospects in the class who could be considered a one-and-done include SG Cassius Stanley (Undecided), F EJ Liddell (Ohio State), SG Bryan Antoine (Villanova), SG Tyrese Maxey (Kentucky), C Vernon Carey Jr. (Duke), C Isaiah Stewart (Washington), F Samuell Williamson (Louisville), and F Keion Brooks Jr. just to name a few.

 

Samad Hines is a contributor for Mars Reel from Atlanta. You can follow him @Mod_Hines