Podcasts
Ep. 131 - Player Rankings: Past, Present & Future!
On Episode 131 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show, hosts Ronnie Flores, Ani Umana and Chelsea Hopkins go hard in the paint on player rankings, an important topic and critical component of the grassroots basketball ecosystem.
The ITP crew talks national player rankings with Clark Francis (Hoop Scoop), who first put player rankings out in 1983, about those early years and during its heyday in the 1990s when the competition on the camp circuit was at its peak. Francis also gives his perspective on what the rankings mean and why they are important.
Paul Biancardi (ESPN) talks about the final 2022 class rankings and the rationale for how he came up with his final order with Duke recruit Dereck Lively leading the way. Biancardi also talks about the rankings from the perspective of a former college coach and how his experience in that aspect of the game helps him create ESPN's widely distributed rankings.
Ian Jackson, the 2022 Ballislife National Sophomore of the Year from Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.), also comes on the ITP Show to talk about his satisfying high school season after COVID-19 took away his freshman campaign. Jackson also talks his development, who he patterns his game after and his experiences with USA Basketball.
This week's episode uncovers alot of terrific stories of the game's greats and what they were like in high school and gives some terrific perspective on an important part of the high school and grassroots basketball landscape. Make sure to tune in from start to finish!
(0:00) - Intro
(0:40) - NBA Playoffs Snapshot: Mavs’ Struggles
(5:20) - W Snapshot: Phoenix Mercury Spat!
(09:31) - Jimmy Buter & Steph Curry Not Ranked
(13:22) - Player Rankings: Nick Smith, Corliss Williamson at No. 1
(18:21) - Clark Francis (Hoop Scoop) Interview
(20:29) - Francis on What He Looks for During 1st Evaluation
(22:56) - Francis on Ranking Young Players
(27:14) - Francis on the Nike/Vaccaro Split & What it Caused
(32:54) - Francis on What Player Rankings Mean
(35:30) - Francis on the Top Classes He Evaluated
(42:38) - Chelsea on Playing Under Pressure
(48:27) - Ani on Rankings: College Impact or Draft Projection?
(53:50) - Ronnie on Value of Big Man
(56:50) - Paul Biancardi Interview
(1:00:33) - Biancardi on Coaching Perspective of Rankings
(1:01:58) - Biancardi on What He Looks for During 1st Evaluation
(1:05:20) - Ian Jackson Interview
(1:07:05) - Jackson on On-Court Focus
(1:09:05) - Jackson on Lost COVID-19 Frosh Year
(1:11:30) - Jackson on USA Basketball Experience
(1:15:00) - Jackson on Player He Emulates
(1:21:40) - Ani’s Take on 2024 Class
(1:25:13) - Age as it Relates to Rankings
(1:31:25) - Age: Lenny Cooke vs. LeBron!
(1:41:13) - Hoopscooponline.com & Other References
(1:48:56) - Rankings: Chelsea & Ani Final Thoughts
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