Nation's Best Dubbed Naismith Prep Player Of The Year Finalists

Nation's Best Dubbed Naismith Prep Player Of The Year Finalists

A full breakdown and game footage of the 2017 Naismith High School Boys' Player of the Year Finalists.

Feb 23, 2017 by Brett Regan
Nation's Best Dubbed Naismith Prep Player Of The Year Finalists
A hyper-athletic point guard to run the show. A versatile wing to get buckets all game. A back-to-the-basket force to dump it down to in the paint. A 7-footer with range to stretch the defense. A massive defender with long arms to protect the rim. 

All of this sound good? It should.

Although this isn't an actual high school team, one that would completely dominate, these descriptions represent only part of the greatness of the five best seniors at the prep level.

Hillcrest Prep's Deandre Ayton, Westtown School's Mohamed Bamba, Pace Academy's Wendell Carter, IMG Academy's Trevon Duval, and Nathan Hale's Michael Porter Jr. -- the entire top five in the 2017 Flo40 rankings -- have been announced as the 2017 Naismith High School Boys' Player of the Year Finalists. The winner will be named on March 9.

The best part? All of them have played live on FloHoops this season. 

DEANDRE AYTON 

School: Hillcrest Prep (AZ)
Position: C
2017 Flo40 Rank: 2
College: Arizona

The season got off to a later and slower than probably expected start for the 7-footer, but it wasn't for any reasons on the court. Ayton had to make a trip back to the Bahamas to renew his visa before making a return for the American Family Insurance Hoophall West. It took a little bit to get the rust off, but the rest was rather dominant. Arizona is getting a stud with size, skill, and touch from the outside.



MOHAMED BAMBA

School: Westtown School (PA)
Position: C
2017 Flo40 Rank: 3
College: Undecided

The focus is simple. Be the man in the middle, the rim protector, the anchor. The rest, with the talented wings around him, is an absolute bonus. No, Bamba isn't seen as the primary offensive weapon for nationally ranked Westtown, but that doesn't mean he cannot dominate. His importance is obvious, too. After all, the only two losses for the Moose this year have come without the big man. Still uncommitted, Bamba will make a difference wherever he plays.



TREVON DUVAL

School: IMG Academy (FL)
Position: PG
2017 Flo40 Rank: 5
College: Undecided

It might not easy to truly peg the reason why, but Duval is special. He has supreme athleticism to blow by defenders and finish above the rim. He has the knowledge to make his teammates better. He has the competitive juices to win. He's still on the market, too, so to say he is a hot commodity is an understatement. Give Duval some credit for helping get this talented Ascenders squad to be one of the best in the country, and it's no surprise he is on this list whatsoever.



WENDELL CARTER

School: Pace Academy (GA)
Position: PF
2017 Flo40 Rank: 4
College: Duke

Being the focus of every opponent's scouting report can be rather frustrating at times. However, when you are as good as Carter, there are games in which it just doesn't matter. At 6-foot-10, the Duke-bound power forward is a complete difference-maker for any team and can be force down on the block or can step out with his perimeter game, even without much of a supporting cast. He has carried his Pace Academy squad deep into the playoffs as proof.



MICHAEL PORTER JR.

School: Nathan Hale (WA)
Position: SF
2017 Flo40 Rank: 1
College: Washington

The No. 1 player in the country playing on the No. 1 team in the country has to be the front-runner, right? While the award will not be just given away, Porter is worthy of the distinction, and his play has carried the Raiders to unforeseen heights. At 6-foot-9, Porter has been nothing short of incredible throughout the 2016-17 campaign following his move to Seattle. There isn't much he cannot do on the court right now. The scary thing? He continues to get better.