Central's Abdur-Rahkman receives honor from MaxPreps

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Central Catholic's Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman, who was believed to be the first freshman from the Lehigh Valley ever selected all-state by the Associated Press, has been recognized on the national level by MaxPreps.

He was named to the third team of Freshmen All-American Team.

Abdur-Rahkman, a key figure in Central's District 11 championship run, averaged 14.4 points per game but also led the team in assists and was one of its top rebounders. He is already on the radar of many Division I programs.

Here are the other top freshmen from around the country selected by MaxPreps. It will be interesting to see how many more honors these same kids rack up before they're through and where they land in college.



Boys Basketball Freshmen All-American Team

First Team
Trey Lyles, Arsenal Tech

MAXPREPS.COM NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Trey Lyles, Arsenal Tech (Indianapolis, Ind.)
6-8 / 200 / Forward
Committed to Indiana
Ballyhooed before ever playing a high school game, versatile rookie earned Indianapolis Star All-City first team honors after putting up over 18 points and 12 rebounds per game.

James Blackmon, Bishop Luers (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
6-2 / 170 / Guard
Committed to Indiana
Filled void left by Ohio State freshman Deshaun Thomas by pouring in 20.3 points per game.

Dominique Collier, Denver East (Denver, Colo.)
6-1 / 160 / Guard
First team All-Colorado selection by the Denver Post helped Angels reach 21 wins by averaging 16.8 points per game.

Tyus Jones, Apple Valley (Apple Valley, Minn.)
5-11 / 160 / Guard
Honorable mention All-State selection and member of USA Basketball's U16 developmental program led district champions with 18.3 points per game.

Isaiah Whitehead, Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
6-3 / 170 / Guard
Contributed over 14 points and five rebounds per outing for 29-win Lincoln, which has produced a long line of greats including Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair and Lance Stephenson.

Second Team

Shaqquan Aaron, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
6-6 / 160 / Guard
Can't help but think of Kevin Durant watching lanky 3-point sniper who averaged 6.8 points per game for California's Division I state champions.
Photo by Jim Redman
Dakari Johnson, St. Patrick

Dakari Johnson, St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.)
6-10 / 240 / Forward
Had a great showing at the City of Palms Classic in December and played key role for the 26-1 Celtics, who held the national No. 1 ranking for five weeks.

Jalen Lindsey, Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)
6-6 / 180 / Guard-Forward
Member of USA Basketball's U16 developmental program, averaged around 18 points and seven rebounds for game for 29-5 Lions.

Quadri Moore, Linden (N.J.)
6-9 / 235 / Forward
Started slowly but grabbed major headlines with 18 points in a win over eventual-National High School Invitational champion Montrose Christian – the Mustangs only loss of the season.

Emmanuel Mudiay, Grace Prep (Arlington, Texas)
6-4 / 180 / Guard
Dallas Morning News All-Area Newcomer of the Year helped Lions capture private school state title by contributing 11.4 points per game.

Third Team

Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Allentown Central Catholic (Allentown, Pa.)
6-3 / 170 / Guard
Averaged 14.4 points per game – including a season-high 28 in early January – to become the only freshman at any level to earn Associated Press All-State honors.
LeRon Black, White Station

LeRon Black, White Station (Memphis, Tenn.)
6-7 / 195 / Forward
After returning from sprained ankle in mid-January, averaged 10.9 points per game –including a 24-point performance in the state sectionals – for perennial Memphis powerhouse.

Justin Coleman, Carroll Catholic (Birmingham, Ala.)
5-9 / 155 / Guard
Class 5A second team All-State selection averaged 18.3 points, 3.9 assists and 3.6 steals per game while reportedly connecting on over 90 percent of free throw attempts.

T.J. Haws, Lone Peak (Highland, Utah)
6-2 / 165 / Guard
Expectations will be high at Lone Peak with second team All-State selection Haws (13.8 points per game) and MaxPreps Sophomore All-American pick Nick Emery returning.

Craig Victor, St. Augustine (New Orleans, La.)
6-8 / 200/ Forward
Posted 9.6 points and six rebounds per game for Louisiana's Class 5A state champions.

Honorable Mention

Joel Berry, Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.)
6-0 / 190 / Guard
Consistent performer for 21-win Highlanders tallied 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Adrian Davis, Mount Rainier (Des Moines, Wash.)
6-0 / 165 / Guard
Averaged 17.7 points, 3.3 steals and 2.9 rebounds per game in one of Washington's most competitive leagues.

James Demery, The Oakwood School (Greenville, N.C.)
6-4 / 170 / Guard
Competition wasn't overwhelming, but 25.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.4 steals per game is a nice statline for a freshman at any level.

Maurice Dunlap, Grenada (Miss.)
5-11 / 165 / Guard
Posted 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game for 17-win program in Mississippi's largest classification.

Levy Gillespie Jr., Capital Prep (Hartford, Conn.)
6-2 / 155 / Guard
Second year in a row Capital Prep – the one-time home of top 2012 prospect Andre Drummond – has had a player named to the Freshmen All-American Team (Kahlil Dukes in 2010), Gillespie posted 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for 21-5 Trailblazers.

Ahmed Hill, Peach County (Fort Valley, Ga.)
6-3 / 175 / Guard
Young Peach County will be better in the coming years thanks to Hill (21.1 points, 4.0 rebounds per game) and a roster full of talented underclassmen.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.)
5-10 / 155 / Guard
Earned All-CIF Southern Section Division 1A honors by tallying 10.4 points, 4.9 assists and 2.7 steals per game for 25-win Cubs.
Photo by Jim Redman
Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei

Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
6-5 / 190 / Forward
Part-time starter and major contributor for CIF Division I state champions, averaging 6.7 points per game including 14 in SoCal regional final victory.

Aubrie King, Mumford (Texas)
6-4 / 170 / Guard-Forward
Small-school star with big game put up 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game en route to Class 1A All-State and District 26 co-MVP accolades.

Riley Norris, Albertville (Ala.)
6-6 / 180 / Forward
Along with twin brother Drew led Albertville to a 26-8 mark and earned nod as Class 5A second team All-State pick.

Ahmaad Rorie, Clover Park (Lakewood, Wash.)
5-11 / 165 / Guard
Combined with fellow freshman David Crisp to help Clover Park go 27-3 and capture Washington's Class 2A state title, averaging 16.7 points, 2.6 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Marques Towns, Cardinal McCarrick (South Amboy, N.J.)
6-2 / 185 / Guard
Contributed 11 points per game for Eagles, who reached NJSIAA Non-Public B championship game against eventual national champion St. Anthony.

Mitchell Wilbekin, The Rock (Gainesville, Fla.)
6-0 / 160 / Guard
Three-year varsity performer earned Independent All-State honors from the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches after tallying 11.0 points, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Justise Winslow, St. John's (Houston, Texas)
6-5 / 200 / Forward
Impressive all-around numbers (15.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.5 blocks) led Mavericks to Southwest Preparatory Conference Division I title.


http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/