PHOTO CREDIT TO TERRI COURTNEY
With our updated rankings coming out late last week, there were some big movers. But we also saw some familiar names at the top of the list. Here, we look at the top centers in the class of 2019. The talent level in 2019 is very high overall and will have several Division 1 signees before the class graduates and move on to the next level. The center position is currently the only position that doesn’t have any players with Division I offers at this point. But it is also by far the thinnest group in the 2019 class. The position group definitely boasts some big time prospects that I expect will end up signing D1 before all is said and done.
Dieonte Miles, Walton-Verona – Already 6’9″ and still growing, Dieonte reminds of current Mississippi State big man Aric Holman. A long lefty who can score from the post or the perimeter, Miles has the ceiling of a National Top 100 recruit. It is very surprising that Dieonte hasn’t been the recipient of a college scholarship offer yet. Miles only averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds as a sophomore but was dominant at Kentucky AAU State in May with his local team NKY Squad but didn’t enjoy the same type of success with the Louisville Magic after making a move to them for July. Walton-Verona will be one of the favorites to win the All A state title this season and they will compete to win the 8th region and get to Rupp Arena.
JJ Weaver, Moore – JJ Weaver has always been one of the biggest kids on the court. As a middle schooler, Weaver was a head taller than everyone else. While he is a really good basketball player, Weaver’s future is on the gridiron. Weaver barely played and AAU this past summer, choosing to attend football camps instead. He has been offered by Louisville, Purdue, Vanderbilt and Yale. He also has interest from Kentucky and Oregon, among others. On the basketball side, Lipscomb had shown early interest in JJ as a basketball recruit. By the time his high school career is over, the 6’7″ Weaver will likely be one of the best athletes to come out of Louisville in the last decade.
Sam Vaughn, Lexington Catholic – Vaughn only averaged a point and a rebound per game for Lexington Catholic last season, but he had a big summer of playing AAU with Starz United. Standing 6’7 and getting increasingly skilled, Vaughn will have a chance to be a starter for the Knights this season. While Sam doesn’t have the quickest foot speed, he can do a lot defensively with his length and ability to alter shots. As Vaughn continues developing, he can certainly be a D2 or NAIA level recruit over the next year or so.
