2018 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions Wish List

The 2017 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions was yet another great event with many of the nation's top prospect and several future pros. But, it's never too early to start looking at next year's field. Here are some teams at the top of my wishlist for the 2018 TOC. NOTE: Player rankings are according to ESPN unless noted

National

Archbishop Molloy (N.Y.) New York teams have routinely been part of the TOC and next year would be the perfect time for Molloy's first trip to Springfield. 2018s Moses Brown and (No. 23/uncommitted) and Khalid Moore (No. 95 in Rivals150) are two of the best on the east coast, while 2019 guard Cole Anthony is one of the nation's top point guards. Brown is up to No. 6 on Rivals latest rankings and he is likely to be a one-and-done guy. Anthony is the son of former NBA point guard Greg Anthony and he certainly received all of those basketball genes.

Molloy's trio of 6'2" soph PG/Wing Cole Anthony (@The_ColeAnthony) junior 7' big Moses Brown/6'6" wing Khalid Moore put on a show last night pic.twitter.com/S2t04ib1YA
— Mike Yagmin (@MikeYagmiNERR) January 7, 2017

Chino Hills (Calif.) The Huskies were in the tournament back in 2015, going 2-1 and finishing 5th. This year Chino Hills is 18-0 and has scored 100 or more points on eight occasions, that includes dropping a season-high 131 points on Foothill (Nev.). In 2015 Lonzo Ball led the way (he will be a lottery pick in the 2017 NBA Draft) and now Chino Hills is led by his little brother, LaMelo Ball. The youngest UCLA commit has become a viral sensation because of his flashy game, even pointing to the midcourt line before pulling up to start a game this season. The Huskies also have 6'9 5-star big Onyeka Okongwu, who is the No. 7 player in the 2019 class. Chino Hills is currently ranked No. 5 in the USA Today Super 25.

LaMelo Ball.
Ontem, jogando por sua escola Chino Hills, ele apontou pra linha da metade da quadra e arremessou. pic.twitter.com/pn404JYp1r — King James Brasil (@Le_BR_on) December 27, 2016

This is how Chino Hills Ended The Half! Just CRAZY! Watch Full highlights here: https://t.co/NvSUOv4zez pic.twitter.com/y7BJCYwmjZ
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 28, 2016

Harvard Westlake (Calif.) This is easily the most under-the-radar team on this list. The Wolverines have an abundance of young talent and will have a premiere scoring duo in Cassius Stanley (No. 9 in 2019/uncommitted) and 2020 G Johnny Juzang, who holds offers from USC, Arizona State and Alabama. Classmates Mason Hooks and Terren Frank are also D-1 prospects. This team is probably two years away from being a threat to win the tournament, but would be a fun addition to next year's field.

2. @cassius_stanley's unreal dunk pic.twitter.com/Yz0yjXLieB
— ???? (@Kialbeni) December 29, 2016

IMG Academy (Fla.) IMG is nationally ranked right now, however its roster has just three juniors and zero underclassmen. But, this national power typically reloads each year. Next year IMG could be a goldmine with 2018s Silvio de Sosa (No. 6/uncommitted) and Emmitt Williams (No. 22/uncommitted) returning. The third junior - 6'4 guard Keyontae Johnson - is ranked No. 98 by Rivals. Those three alone are good enough to make this team a draw, but their stock could rise even higher with several potential transfer options. IMG is currently ranked No. 6 in the USA Today Super 25.

Why #FAA16: Silvio De Sousa (ESPN #6) made SC Top10 in '15, don't miss this year's dominating performances #BeElite pic.twitter.com/YewSbYy56K
— Hoop Group (@TheHoopGroup) July 26, 2016

Memphis East In recent years the previous year's runner-up has gotten an invite back, so don't be surprised to see Penny Hardaway and the Mustangs back in Springfield. There's also the whole “talent” thing. Memphis East will bring back a pair of talented 4-star guards in T.J. Moss and Alex Lomax, as well as 5-star 2019 prospect Chandler Lawson. Lomax hit the game-winning 3 that pushed East past Montverde and Lawson averaged a double-double in this year's tournament. This team would be the favorite to win it all should they return. Memphis East is currently No. 3 in the USA Today Super 25.

WATCH | 2018 point guard Alex Lomax (@iamalo02) drains the game winning three to move Memphis East (TN) into the finals at @BassProTOfC ... pic.twitter.com/HyprS7R1GP
— Chip Miller (@BLUEChip_Miller) January 14, 2017

Spartanburg Day School (S.C.) Two words; Zion Williamson. If you haven't heard the name or seen any of his highlight reel plays then Google him. If Marvin Bagley wasn't such a monster, Williamson would be the consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2018 class. He's a 6'8 brickhouse that is a man amongst boys. At this point he has a rockstar status to his game, buoyed by the fact that rapper Drake even has a Zion Williamson jersey. There are two knocks with this team though. One, while there are no seniors on this roster, the Griffins have struggled against elite competition, even with Williamson in the mix. Second, is the fact that Williamson could easily transfer to a basketball factory. We've seen several high-level prospects do it in recents years and he's currently averaging 35.4 points and 13.2 rebounds a night, shooting 74% from the field with seven 40-point games already. He's clearly not being challenged so he may seek out a program that can offer that.

Zion Williamson scored 42 last night at the @FBIClassic! https://t.co/Nq9aDyuQ7w @ZionW32 pic.twitter.com/QPByJjkB1l
— Bryce Lanning (@EliteMixtapesNC) December 29, 2016

Webster Groves This team reminds me a little bit of the Chaminade team from 2016. Groves will be the No. 1 team in Missouri next year and you can make a strong case that they'll be deserving of a high national ranking. Carte'Are Gordon (No. 8/Saint Louis) and Courtney Ramey (4-star/uncommitted) are one of the top inside-out duos in the nation. They've been in the TOC once, that was in 2005 when the Statesmen went 1-2. Wheeler (Ga.) The Wildcats have become a national power under longtime coach Doug Lipscomb, producing NBA talent such as Jaylen Brown and J.J. Hickson in recent years. Wheeler is again loaded and while they aren't in the top 25 this year, they will be one of the best in the country next year behind E.J. Montgomery (No. 23 in 2018/Auburn) and Terry Armstrong (No. 19 in 2019/uncommitted). Wheeler 2018 prospects Brandon Younger (6'6) and Austin Johnson (6'8) are also on D-1 radars. There are also whispers that if Zion Williamson was to transfer, his most likely destination would be Wheeler. The Wildcats have never been in the TOC.

Local

Glendale To me, this team is a local lock. They return 2018s Monty Johal and Jordan Walton and both guards are on D-1 radars. Johal should break the city scoring before the end of this season and Walton isn't too far behind. Throw in classmate Jaxon Davis and Glendale will have the most explosive backcourt in Missouri next year. They haven't been in the TOC since 2012 and won it all back in 1994. Ozark Mark Schweitzer is about as competitive as they come and if it were up to him his team would be in every year. But, as it stands the Tigers haven't been in since 2009 and Schweitzer is getting a little itchy. His team next year should be one of the best he's had at Ozark since taking over for Steve Hunter. Quinn Nelson and Parker Hanks lead a strong 2018 class, that also includes Peyton Nichols and should return a completely healthy Curt Gracey. Hillcrest The Hornets were in the TOC three out of four years from 2010-13 and the Hornets are a safe bet to return in the next two years with next year being the most intriguing. The key is 6'5 2019 guard standout Tyem Freeman. He put on a show during the dunk contest, offering just a glimpse of his elite athleticism; he has high-major potential. Next year Hillcrest would also have four-year starters Tim Washing and Cole Pryor, as well as talented combo guard Jaydun Sydnor. Coach Joel Brown will also have athletic guards Savion Hill and Josh Powell. Willard Losing Houston Johnson and Seth Bird will be tough, but Willard will return enough to be among the favorites in the COC. Kenny Chambers is a dynamic point guard for Coach Lamont Frazier, but he'll also have backcourt P.I.C. Kobe Holloman. Together they form the most athletic backcourt in the Ozarks. Inside Willard will have some size with Ethan Burson and Quinton Batson. The development of 2020 F Daniel Abreu could help swing just how good this team is. Walnut Grove You're probably looking at me like I'm crazy right now, but Walnut Grove is my feel good TOC story; can you imagine a town with a population of less than 1,000 competing against future NBA players? Although they're just a Class 1 program, this wouldn't be a complete charity grab - Walnut Grove will be one of the best teams in the Ozarks next season. All five starters will return, led by scoring machine Logan Thomazin (24 PPG). Coach Darin Meinders also leans on point guard Hunter Gilkey, whose 13 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists per game make him one of the most productive point guards in Missouri. The Tigers play fast - shooting 32 3s a game and forcing 21 turnovers a night - which if nothing else would make them extremely entertaining. If they're able to win out and cap the season with a Class 1 state championship, maybe the Tigers deserve to slide in and be the area's representative.