1. James Young - Rochester
No surprises here, the Kentucky-bound senior is the No. 1 player in Oakland County because he can do just about everything. Young, one of the top players in the entire nation showed last year he can do just as much damage from the outside as he can driving to the basket. As a junior at Troy last year, Young averaged a double-double, scoring 25 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds per game and could top those numbers in his first and last season at Rochester this winter.
2. Jon-Jon Williams - Southfield-Lathrup
Williams was arguably the most productive player in Oakland County last season with the Chargers, scoring just under 30 points and grabbing six rebounds, while dishing out five assists per contest as a junior. Headed to Toledo, Williams will be in for another big year on a number of different levels as he will be one of the few returning players from last year's Lathrup squad.
3. Yante Maten - Bloomfield Hills Lahser
Maten is arguably the best inside force not only in Oakland County, but possibly in the state. Averaging a double-double as a sophomore last year, scoring 15 points per contest and hauling in just under 12 rebounds, Maten also proved to be one of the premier shot-blockers around, tallying nearly five blocks per game. At 6-9, Maten could have yet another big year for Lahser who is one of the most complete teams in the area.
4. Paris Bass - Birmingham Seaholm
Arguably the best unknown player in the state, Bass is one of the best inside-outside forces you will find. As a junior, Bass averaged just under 20 points per game, while picking up about eight rebounds per contest for the Maples, and is in store for a breakout year this year. Look for Bass to continue his high-scoring ways, but at 6-7, he could become one of the area's best inside forces this winter.
5. Jordan Dasuqi - Clarkston
The latest player to be one of the great scorers for Clarkston in the past few years, Dasuqi will be one of the best guards that Oakland County will have to offer this year. Committed to Lake Superior State next winter, Dasuqi is yet another big time shooter from the outside for the Wolves, but is just as good when it comes to mid-ranged shots and driving to the basket.
6. Miroslav Jaksic - Walled Lake Western
The OC's Dirk Nowitzki, Jaksic is one of, if not the best inside-outside big man you will find. A 6-10 center who can knock down outside shots, but is also one of the better rebounders you will find, Jaksic gives opposing teams all kinds of match-up issues for obvious reasons. It took some time for him to adjust in his first year at Western last season, but look for a big season from the senior big man this winter.
7. Austin Price - Birmingham Detroit Country Day
One of the best combo guards you'll find, Price proved last year that he's just as good scoring the ball as he is passing and finding open shooters. Heading to Lehigh next season, Price is a deadly shooter from the outside, but can also create shots on the inside. Price averaged more than 10 points per game last season and is committed to Lehigh.
8. Armand Cartwright - Bloomfield Hills Lahser
Cartwright followed up a strong freshman season, with an impressive sophomore campaign where he averaged just under 20 points per game. Cartwright, who is as good of a backcourt scorer as you will find, with his ability to hit jump shots and being able to drive to the bastket, paired with Khalil Gracey could make up one of, if not the best backcourt in Oakland County this season.
9. Edmund Sumner - Birmingham Detroit Country Day
As good of a pure point guard as you will find, Sumner is as good as it gets when it comes to creating shots for others on the court. Averaging about five assists per game last season as a sophomore, Sumner showed he could be one of the better point guards in the area last season, but had a big summer and figures to have a big junior season with the Yellowjackets this winter.
10. Khalil Malone - Waterford Mott
After having a breakout season as a junior last season, scoring over just under 14 points per game, while grabbing five rebounds, Malone figures to be in for a monster senior season. Malone is a bit undersized, but is a deadly jump-shooter from just about anywhere on the court who can drive to the basket from time to time.
11. Caleb Hogans - North Farmington
Another very good combo guard in Oakland County, Hogans has proven he's a very capable scorer, while also proving to be one of the area's best passers. Hogans averaged 15 points per game and six assists as a junior last season.
12. Akhemji Williams - Rochester Adams
Williams in another one of the best pure point guards that Oakland County has to offer. After a strong sophomore campaign where Williams averaged over 15 points per game and over six assists per contest, Williams could be in for an even bigger season this winter
13. Mory Diane - Birmingham Detroit Country Day
The third of the Yellowjacket's back-court trio, Diane has proven that he is capable of scoring inside and out with his speed and ability to pull up and knock down the jumper. Diane adds yet another dimension to the Country Day scoring attack, which scored 100 points in the season opener.
14. Khalil Gracey - Bloomfield Hills Lahser
Gracey burst onto the scene last season as a sophomore and will give the Knights another dangerous scorer in the back-court playing next to Cartwright. Last season, Gracey also proved to be one of the top defensive guards around, averaging more than four steals per game to go along with 11 points and five assists as well.
15. Bakari Evelyn - Southfield Christian
Evelyn kicked off the season in impressive fashion, scoring 37 points, five 3-pointers, including the game-tying three at the buzzer to force overtime, which eventually led to the upset win over St. Mary's. Look for the star sophomore to continue his scoring ways this winter.
16. Sam McClendon - Orchard Lake St. Mary's
McClendon is as tough of a point guard as you will find in Oakland County, capable of scoring from anywhere on the court, but is also one of the strongest passers around and is more than capable of creating shots for himself or teammates.
17. Lindsey Hunter IV - Southfield Christian
Hunter is another one of Southfield Christian's dynamic scorer and played a key role in the Eagles' Class D state title last season. The junior is one of the best jump shooters you fill find in the area, and is also just as good when it comes to his ball-handling skills
18. John McCarty - Lake Orion
McCarty is one of the more underrated post players in Oakland County, as he proved to be one of the area's top rebounders. McCarty will also be one of the top scoring threats for the Dragons on the inside as well this winter.
19. Gage Throgmorton - Walled Lake Northern
About as pure of a shooter as there is, Throgmorton has been one of the best at knocking down shots from long distance over the course of the past couple of years. If he's able to find space just about anywhere on the court, the senior sniper will make teams pay this season.
20. Jarod Jones - Pontiac
Jones is one of the top scorers around when it comes to driving to the basket and getting some tough points in the paint for the Phoenix. Only 6-0 tall, Jones was one of the top rebounders for Pontiac last season, averaging about six boards per game to go along with over 12 points per contest.
21. Zack Littleson - Rochester Adams
While Akhemji Williams will take care of the outside game for the Highlanders this winter, Littleson will be one of the dominant forces for Adams in the post. Littleson averaged six rebounds and 12 points per game as a junior last season and is also a very good defender in the post as well.
22. Sterling Sharp - North Farmington
Sharp is as good as it gets when it comes to catch-and-shooting and has some serious range from beyond the arc and can create his own shots on the inside. Sharp will also give the Raiders an advantage defensively with his ability to block shots and haul in rebounds.
23. Jeron "Buddha" Rogers - North Farmington
One of the best sophomore big men in the entire state, Rogers is one of the top shot blockers and rebounders around. Rogers is also capable of scoring on the inside and will give the Raiders an inside threat along with Hogans and Sharp.
24. Stephon Williams - Oak Park
A solid, inside-outside player, Williams can score down low or from the outside, but does plenty of damage on defense as well. Averaging a double-double last season, Williams proved to be a legitimate scoring threat for Oak Park and one of the top rebounders in the OAA.
25. Matt Linehan - Orchard Lake St. Mary's
A lethal jump shooter from almost anywhere on the court, Linehan's range gives the Eaglets another dimension in the back-court playing next to McClendon. Linehan is also capable of creating opportunities for teammates with his passing ability and is one of the better defensive guards you'll find in Oakland County.
20 more to keep an eye on this winter (No Order)
Chaz Miller - Lake Orion
Arben Camaj - Rochester
Nathan Drews Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest
Korey Wade - Walled Lake Western
Ken Lockhart - Oak Park
Garrett Ross - Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
Quincy Norman - Waterford Mott
Luke Short - South Lyon
Vezzie Carthane - Pontiac
Quintin Cook - Ortonville Brandon
T.J. Warren - Walled Lake Central
Quinton Arnold - Southfield
Marquian Johnson - Clawson
Nick Troxell - Lakeland
Ben Temrowski - Stoney Creek
Anthony Freeman - Farmington Hills Harrison
Jermaih Johnson - Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Tim Shayoka - Troy Athens
Nelson Cagle - Novi
John Van Hoef/Jeff Koch - Troy Athens
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