The 2016 high school class had plenty of hype. It was touted for years as the best group to come through high school in a decade -- and it didn't disappoint. The first 10 college players taken in NBA draft in June are likely to be freshmen, led by Washington's Markelle Fultz, UCLA's Lonzo Ball, Kansas' Josh Jackson and Duke's Jayson Tatum. Moreover, all of those players were ranked in the top 10 coming out of high school. Outside of maybe Harry Giles due to injury, this past season's freshmen came in with very high expectations -- and lived up to them.
It will be different in 2017. In a class filled with big men, there isn't the long list of sure-fire NBA All-Stars at the top of the rankings and potential lottery talents throughout the rest of the top 25, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of impact players.
Watch them now before they're gone
Michael Porter Jr., Missouri: Not often is Missouri associated with the No. 1 incoming freshman, but that's where Porter is going after new Tigers head coach Cuonzo Martin hired Porter's father as an assistant coach. He can score at all three levels offensively, is a high-level rebounder, and is capable of taking over a game. He'll put up huge numbers.
DeAndre Ayton, Arizona: The No. 1 player in the class for most of the cycle still might have the highest ceiling. When he's locked in, he's a handful at both ends of the floor. The 7-foot Ayton has expanded his offensive game to include a perimeter jumper, and his shot blocking will be appreciated in Tucson.
Trevon Duval, uncommitted: Easily the best guard in the 2017 class, Duval is capable of putting on a show in any given game. He's still considering Duke, Seton Hall, Arizona, Kansas and Baylor -- and all five schools need him to start next season. He's explosive off the bounce and is perhaps the best finisher in the country.
Mohamed Bamba, uncommitted: Whichever school gets Bamba in the next few weeks is not going to have him for long. He's a terrific defensive player, either blocking shots or contesting and denying out on the perimeter. The 6-foot-11 Bamba has ridiculous length and will add a different dimension to the defense in Lexington, Austin, Ann Arbor or Durham.
Mitchell Robinson, Western Kentucky: Rick Stansbury made a statement with his first full recruiting class. Robinson is ranked No. 9 in the 2017 class, but he might end up being the most productive next year -- he should be too dominant for Western Kentucky's foes in Conference USA. He's an impact player at both ends of the floor.
Lonnie Walker, Miami: Jim Larranaga doesn't often send players to the draft after one season, but Walker is a different caliber of player than Miami usually gets. He's the program's highest-ranked signee since ESPN started its database in 2007. He's a big-time scorer, and will be a go-to-guy offensively.
Best incoming classes
Kentucky: John Calipari is bringing in the nation's best recruiting class for the second straight season -- and the Wildcats are still involved with two of the top-four players still on the board. The frontcourt is getting the biggest makeover, with five-star forwards Jarred Vanderbilt and P.J. Washington combining with Nick Richards. Vanderbilt and Washington are versatile scorers and elite rebounders, while Richards is a shot-blocker and defender. Quade Green will have the ball in his hands at the point guard position, and Hamidou Diallo is ready to contribute after sitting out the second semester in Lexington. One-time Florida commit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be the surprise. He's long, can shoot, and plays on or off the ball. Regardless of how many players Calipari loses to the NBA this season, he has reinforcements ready to go.
UCLA: For the second consecutive cycle, UCLA has a top-five recruiting class. There's no Lonzo Ball in this group, but Steve Alford will love the class' depth and versatility. Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands are the headliners -- and Hands might have the most responsibility of any freshmen, replacing Ball. He's a very different player, but is ultra-athletic and thrives in transition. Wilkes is a matchup problem in the frontcourt, and could become a go-to-guy offensively very quickly. Top-50 big men Cody Riley and Jalen Hill will add some toughness and depth to the frontcourt. What about LiAngelo Ball? He's certainly not his brother, but had high-scoring exploits in high school and will enter UCLA with a target on his back.
Arizona: Sean Miller has had Arizona in the top seven of the national recruiting rankings for seven straight seasons, and he has his most highly touted prospect entering the fold next season. That would be Ayton, a native of the Bahamas who is a game-changer at both ends of the floor. ESPN 100 recruits Brandon Randolph, Ira Lee and Alex Barcello round out the class -- and the Wildcats are still pursuing more five-star players. Look for Randolph to add perimeter consistency next season.
Duke: Mike Krzyzewski's class is far from finished, even though it's already April. With that said, the Blue Devils' three-man class is enough to justify a top-five ranking. No. 1 power forward Wendell Carter and No. 1 shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. will start immediately in Durham. Carter is a low-post force due to his ability to score with his back to the basket, while Trent is one of the best perimeter scorers in the class. With the departure of Giles and Amile Jefferson, Carter will combine with Marques Bolden in a talented low-post scoring duo. ESPN 100 Alex O'Connell rounds out the trio.
Alabama: This is the big surprise of the group, but Avery Johnson has done a tremendous job on the recruiting front since getting to Tuscaloosa. Next season, Johnson will bring in one of the most explosive backcourts in the country: five-star guards Collin Sexton and John Petty. Sexton is perhaps the most electrifying player in the 2017 class, and will be a fan favorite right off the bat. Petty has plenty of athleticism and will give Johnson a slasher from the wing. It's a five-man class, and the main man from the rest of the group is four-star power forward Alex Reese -- who could surprise in the SEC.
ESPN 100 prospects who will star more than a year
Trae Young, Oklahoma: When looking for a player who will put up crazy numbers as a freshman, look no further than Young. As a result, he could be one-and-done, but he is unlikely to be a sure-fire lottery pick after one season due to his size. He's used to scoring in high school, but the Sooners are counting on him just the same. Young has tremendous range on his jumper, and can get hot from the perimeter in a hurry. He will pile up points in Norman.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech: Because Buzz Williams brings back three perimeter starters, Alexander-Walker will have to fight for minutes early -- but he will make an impact at some point in 2017-18. Alexander-Walker can shoot it from the perimeter, but also can play on the ball and initiate offense for others. Williams will love his shot-making ability.
Malik Williams, Louisville: Rick Pitino hasn't had a player quite like Williams in a while, and that's why Pitino made him such a priority last spring and summer. He can play anywhere from the 3 to the 5, and has an effective jump shot despite standing at 6-foot-10. Williams could end up as good as anyone in the class if he can play with more toughness.
Lindell Wigginton, Iowa State: Steve Prohm is losing six seniors, so there will be ample opportunities for Wigginton. He can play both guard spots, has gotten better at creating for others -- and is a big-time scorer with the ball in his hands. He can get to the rim, and has improved his outside shot.
Naji Marshall, Xavier: Marshall is a unique player. The 6-foot-6 perimeter player brings versatility and will contribute for the Musketeers. He's essentially a point-forward with vision and ball-handling ability, and he's tough at the rim when finishing. If Marshall can improve his jump shot, he might really take off.
JaMarko Pickett, Ole Miss: Pickett snuck into the top 100 recently, and Andy Kennedy is going to like what he has on his hands. He's 6-foot-8 with tremendous length, and can play both forward positions. He's a good passer and ball-handler with range on his jumper. The ceiling for Pickett is very high, but he'll have his chances at Ole Miss.
Players outside the top 100 who could sneak up on us
Oscar Da Silva, Stanford: There is no Lauri Markkanen coming from the international ranks next season, but one Pac-12 freshman to watch is Da Silva, who might be the best prospect in a class with two top-50 commits. The native of Germany has 6-foot-10 size and a very good motor, and can do a little bit of everything. He will surprise.
Abu Kigab, Oregon: There's been a pipeline developing from Canada to Oregon, and Kigab could be the next success story. His rise truly started with Canada at the FIBA Americas U18 Championships last summer, when the 6-foot-6 Kigab had 17 points and 10 rebounds against the United States in the final. He is versatile and will bring toughness to Eugene.
Kellan Grady, Davidson: This one is easy to identify, as Bob McKillop got an absolute steal in Grady. He has gotten better and better over the last couple years, and will hit the Atlantic 10 running. Grady can play on or off the ball, has deep range on his perimeter jumper, and is very smooth as a playmaker. He will put up big numbers for Davidson.
Nate Watson, Providence: The Friars had issues this past season with size and frontcourt depth -- but Watson will certainly help in that regard. He's a true low-post weapon who carves out position, and then can score with his back to the basket. Watson is also a very good rebounder due to his length and motor. Ed Cooley will use him early.
Trent Frazier, Illinois: Frazier might be a better fit for Brad Underwood's system than John Groce's system, due to his speed with the ball in his hands. He likes to attack off the dribble, getting into the lane and making plays. Frazier is also a very good perimeter shooter. He's had to shoulder the offensive load for most of high school, so he won't be afraid of being thrown into the fire.