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SI All-American Boys Basketball Player of the Year Watch

Jalen Green, Cade Cunningham, Sharife Cooper and Other Elite Prospects Are Turning In Dominant Seasons

Jason Jordan

We’re just over a month away from the announcement of the inaugural SI All-American Boys Basketball Team, and a handful of elite players are making strong cases to not only make the cut, but also potentially take home SI All-American Player of the Year hardware.

It’s important to remember that the Watch List remains fluid, but here are 10 players that are boldly staking claim at postseason glory.

Cade Cunningham, Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 2020, PG

College: Oklahoma State

His Case: Cunningham is at the controls for what is being floated around as the greatest high school basketball team ever. Whether that’s the case or not is the debatable, but the Eagles are looking the part, thumping teams by an average of 40 points a game. Cunningham is averaging 14 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists a game this season on a team with five five-star prospects who all average double figures. Simply put, he’s the best player on the best team in the country, which is saying a lot because to say that the Eagles are loaded would be the understatement of the year.

RELATED: Duke and UNC Recruits Make Predictions for Big Game

Emoni Bates, Lincoln (Ypsilanti, Mich.), 2022, SF

College: Undecided

His Case: Bates is widely regarded as the top player in the 2022 class, but he’s got the game that could put him in contention for the top tier of the two classes above him as well. Bates has backed that up this season 30 points and eight rebounds a game.

Jalen Green, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), 2020, CG 

College: Undecided

His Case: Green has been dominant all season, despite sharing the backcourt with another five-star guard in Nimari Burnett. Green is averaging 28.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.3 blocks a game and shooting 44 percent from the 3-point line. Green has solidified himself as the premiere scoring guard in the country with the ability to put a team on his back and win.

Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), 2020, PG 

College: Auburn

His Case: A season after winning multiple National Player of the Year awards, Cooper has been asked to do more after losing four starters from last year’s state championship team. He’s answered that call, averaging 30.2 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals this season. Cooper is, arguably, the most complete point guard in the country with a high IQ, elite scoring ability on all three levels and the innate ability to make his teammates better.

RELATED: 2020 McDonald's All American Roster

Cam Thomas, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 2020, SG 

College: LSU

His Case: Thomas is arguably the most dangerous scorer in the country because he’s virtually a threat to drain a jump shot as soon as he crosses half court. Thomas is averaging 32 points a game this season for the Warriors. Opposing teams know the Warriors go as Thomas goes, but he’s too talented to contain.

Michael Foster, Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix), 2021, F 

College: Undecided

His Case: Foster is obliterating the competition this season, averaging 25.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, 5.8 blocks, 2.3 steals and 2.3 assists a game despite playing one of the toughest schedules in the country. Foster’s gift is his versatility with the ability to hurt the opposition inside and out.

Scottie Barnes, Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 2020, G/F 

College: Florida State

His Case: Barnes is, arguably, the most versatile player in the country, but he’s No. 1 when it comes to motor, one of the most important attributes any athlete can possess. Barnes is playing and guarding all five positions for the No. 1 team in the country and averaging 12 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and two steals a game on a team with five other five-star prospects.

Greg Brown, Vandergrift (Austin, Texas), 2020, F

College: Undecided

His Case: Brown has, arguably, turned in more Sportscenter-esque plays than any other player this season, abusing the opposition on the break and through contact. Brown is averaging 28 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals a game. His versatility and ability guard multiple positions is often lost in his highlights, but he’s a more complete player than people give him credit for.

Mikey Williams, San Ysidro (San Diego, Calif.), 2023, PG 

College: Undecided

His Case: Williams is the youngest player on the watch list, but you would never know it from his production level, leading the state of California in scoring at 31.5 points a game. Williams even went for 77 points in a game this season, backing up the “next big thing” label that he’s earned.

Josh Christopher, Mayfair (Lakewood, Calif.), 2020, CG 

College: Undecided

His Case: Christopher has torched the nets this season to the tune of 30.1 points a game, despite playing alongside another five-star guard in Dior Johnson, who is doing his own damage (23 ppg.). Christopher is great in the open floor and uses his elite athleticism and shooting ability to dominate the opposition.

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Jason Jordan
JASON JORDAN

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