At the wing forward position, the high school senior class (2014) offers lots of depth, and good but not really great talent at the top. We’re particularly impressed by uncommitted 6-6 Californian Stanley Johnson, a strong, extremely versatile and highly skilled performer who emerged this summer as our choice as the nation’s number one wing forward prospect in the current senior class.
Slightly behind Johnson are four others, Texans Justin Jackson (6-8 and verbally committed to North Carolina) and 6-6 Justise Winslow, plus 6-6 Californian Daniel Hamilton (committed to Connecticut) and 6-6 Kelly Oubre, a Lone Star State product now prepping in suburban Las Vegas.
Jackson is terrifically skilled and intelligent but only weighs 185 pounds and badly needs more physical strength. In time, he should become an outstanding player for the Tar Heels. Winslow and Oubre joined Jackson on the Houston Hoops 17-Under team and proved to be scrappy and highly effective within the team concept. We especially admire the effort all three exert on defense. Hamilton, meanwhile, is a one-on-one scorer who handles the ball like a skillful guard.
Interestingly, while many of the best current seniors still have not yet made their college decisions, 13 of our top 20 wing forwards have already announced verbal commitments. Besides Jackson, four others (N.C. State-bound twins Caleb and Cody Martin, Louisville recruit Shaqquan Aaron and Notre Dame commitment Bonzie Colson Jr. ) have declared for present or future ACC schools. Of course, it’s also possible that others from our list below will wind up opting for ACC members as well.