Doing a little pre-spring cleaning and came across a bunch of Scout.com magazines from the mid 2000s. I was struck by the players I didn't know on the football side, but the basketball side was so much different.
Of their 2007 post-summer Top 100 baskeball players (including players like Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, and Derrick Rose), I looked at the top 20. All but maybe three or four played in the NBA at one time (most of those are still in the league) and I think just a couple failed to make it professionally at all and I think those two had some arrest/legal issues that may have played a role.
For ther class of 2008 (I guess Jrs in HS) -- Everyone listed in the top 10 played in the NBA (except one who had knee injuries in college), all currently play professionally (I think 7 of 10 in the league currently).
For the class of 2009 (Sophs in HS?) -- It looks like five of the top 10 didn't make it to the NBA, but all of those play professionally overseas.
Just looking at the 2007 HS All-American class, it looks like 12 of 22 players made it to the NFL, which is much closer to the % of the HS Soph class for the NBA and certainly nowhere near the %s of the 2007 and 2008 basketball classes.
What makes it easier to rate HS basketball players at a fairly succesful % even down to those athletes a few years out? Does it come down to players peaking younger at basketball and it being less of a team game than football, or that there are more amble opportunities to turn pro at a younger age than their football counterparts?
I just happened to find it really interesting and thought I'd share.
Of their 2007 post-summer Top 100 baskeball players (including players like Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, and Derrick Rose), I looked at the top 20. All but maybe three or four played in the NBA at one time (most of those are still in the league) and I think just a couple failed to make it professionally at all and I think those two had some arrest/legal issues that may have played a role.
For ther class of 2008 (I guess Jrs in HS) -- Everyone listed in the top 10 played in the NBA (except one who had knee injuries in college), all currently play professionally (I think 7 of 10 in the league currently).
For the class of 2009 (Sophs in HS?) -- It looks like five of the top 10 didn't make it to the NBA, but all of those play professionally overseas.
Just looking at the 2007 HS All-American class, it looks like 12 of 22 players made it to the NFL, which is much closer to the % of the HS Soph class for the NBA and certainly nowhere near the %s of the 2007 and 2008 basketball classes.
What makes it easier to rate HS basketball players at a fairly succesful % even down to those athletes a few years out? Does it come down to players peaking younger at basketball and it being less of a team game than football, or that there are more amble opportunities to turn pro at a younger age than their football counterparts?
I just happened to find it really interesting and thought I'd share.
