Rating Minnesota’s top prospects: How Prep Girls Hoops determines a player’s college potential
We get a lot of feedback from our readers – most of it pretty complimentary if we’re being honest – but nothing generates more comments, emails, text messages and discussion than the player rankings. If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked in the last 30 days when the updated rankings are going to be published I would have enough dollars for you and I to enjoy a very nice dinner at Manny’s where a New York strip runs $72! The answer to that question is… in the next few days.
We have spent countless hours over the past few weeks compiling a summer’s worth of information from the many people who participate in the rankings process. We have debated and discussed and analyzed it all to the Nth degree and the results are in. We plan to first unveil the initial ranking of the class of 2022 – everyone wants to know if Amaya Battle, Mallory Heyer or Maya Nnaji will be #1 – followed by updated rankings of the 2021s, 2020s and 2019s.
The second most common question I hear on an ongoing basis is this: “How do you guys decide who gets ranked where?” While we don’t have a crystal ball, we do have a network of very competent basketball people involved, and it’s a thorough process.
Here’s how we do it
- We watch a lot of basketball – I personally saw more than 150 high school teams over the past year. I attended every AAU tournament, averaging about 20 hours of viewing per event. I went to AAU tryouts in August and early September and attend most elite camps in the area. I watched the fall and summer leagues. I regularly attend practices. And that’s just me. Everyone involved in the rankings process is in the gym all the time.
- We have a diverse group of evaluators – Among them are current and former AAU coaches, current and former high school coaches, certifiable girls’ basketball junkies and we talk with college coaches from all levels. After all, it is the college folks who make the ultimate choices and their opinions matter. In the past couple of weeks I have talked with more than a dozen coaches from major D1 programs, both power conference and mid-majors. I had breakfast with one on Wednesday.
- Everyone involved is granted anonymity – That’s what really makes the process work. I am the only person who knows everyone else involved. We don’t quote our evaluators or share their names with anyone. The AAU coaches come from a variety of programs, large and small. While it’s true that a few AAU coaches tend to rank their kids higher, that pattern quickly becomes obvious. For example, if Jane Doe’s coach has her ranked 25th, I have her ranked 45th, three other coaches have her around 55th and one of said coach’s rivals has her at 75th, it’s clear there are some biases involved. Chances are, Ms. Doe will end up in the 50-55 range.
- We ask one important question over and over – “How good will she be at the next level?” While current play is obviously a factor, our overriding principle is all about a player’s status as a college basketball prospect. Read on to learn more.
- Geography matters – Players who live within 150 miles of the Twin Cities have a leg up on those who live several hours away. Is that fair? Probably not, but it is reality. When you live in the Twin Cities and have a real job outside of basketball, it’s not possible to go to Stephen-Argyle on a Monday night. It would help if small, outstate schools would schedule more Saturday games but they generally don’t.
- AAU really matters – Summer ball is the place to see and be seen. That’s where the college coaches are. That’s where the best competition is. That’s where we are. If you live in a remote area and don’t play AAU, that’s a double whammy. Sorry. It is what it is. That’s why programs like High Impact and Northern Lights are so important.
- You cannot buy a spot on or up the list – As unbelievable as it is, some people do try to purchase a place for their kid. My best offer this year had four digits! While other rankings services around the country might offer such opportunities, Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota does not, and I hope we never do. The process has integrity and that matters.
