Scouts Inc.'s recruiting grading scale
The grading scale for basketball recruiting is similar to the grading scale used for football, with a few subtle differences.
98-100: High-major plus prospect
Player demonstrates rare abilities. He should have an immediate impact at a national program with the potential for early entry into the NBA. 94-97: High-major prospect
Player has the potential to significantly contribute as a freshman for most national programs. He could be a three- or four-year starter and have an opportunity for all-league honors.
90-93: High-major minus prospect
Player has the potential to significantly contribute to a national program as a freshman. He could be a four-year contributor with an opportunity to start over the course of his career.
87-89: Mid-major plus prospect
Player could contribute for three or four years at a high-major program or have a significant impact as a freshman at a mid-major program.
83-86: Mid-major prospect
Player should be a solid contributor and two- or three-year starter at a mid-major program.
80-82: Mid-major minus prospect
Player could be a three- or four-year contributor with an opportunity to eventually start at a mid-major program.
77-79: Low-major plus prospect
Player could contribute at a mid-major school but should be a significant contributor as a freshman at a low-major program.
73-76: Low-major prospect
Player should be a solid contributor and two- or three-year starter at a low-major program.
70-72: Low-major minus prospect
Player could be a three- or four-year contributor with an opportunity to eventually start at a low-major program.
40: Pending Prospect
Player evaluation is pending film.
In order for Scouts Inc. to grade any high school prospect, we must have seen the player in action, either on tape or in person. The following links provide an overview of what skills and abilities Scouts Inc. looks for when evaluating prospects at each position:
Point guards
Shooting guards
Small forwards
Power forwards
Centers
For an idea of how Scouts Inc. evaluates players, here are scouting reports on two players from the class of 2006 who are now playing in college:
Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona
Budinger is one of the elite players in the Class of 2006. He is a big-time athlete who also starred in volleyball in high school. He has tremendous leaping ability as well as good timing and quick reactions.
Budinger likely will start as a freshman at Arizona, because not only is he extremely talented, he also is a very smart basketball player. He truly understands his role and how to help his team win. He knows when to shoot and when to pass. In addition, he understands what a high-quality shot is.
Because he is focusing on one sport now, he is going to become an even better shooter and more consistent player. Budinger is a classic three. He can run, jump, handle, pass, shoot and finish around the rim.
As a small forward, Budinger is a better rebounder than anyone else at his position. He knows how to get position, use his body and has the hops needed to clear the glass.
Defense has not been a priority for Budinger to this point in his career, but he has the athleticism, speed and hops to be a good defender. He must focus on this at Arizona in order to be an elite player at the next level.
Budinger has the potential to be an NBA player in 3-4 years. He needs to develop his body and get stronger in the weight room. Additionally, he must make the adjustment from high school to college and garner as much experience as he can next year with head coach Lute Olson.
Willie Kemp, PG, Memphis
Kemp is one of the better true point guards in the nation. He is a gifted athlete who can push the ball down the floor in transition or run a team in half-court sets. He is a true point guard because he has a pass-first mentality. He looks to get his teammates involved and makes others around him better. When he drives the ball and penetrates, he finds his open teammates and delivers the ball. He has excellent court vision and is always looking ahead to advance the ball on the break.
Kemp is an inconsistent shooter. He does not have tremendous technique and form on his shot and must work to improve this at Memphis. He is an excellent penetrator, but if he can't become a more consistent outside shooter, opponents will play him for the drive and limit his effectiveness.
Although Kemp is extremely athletic, he is also thin and weak at this point. He must build his body up and get stronger in the weight room to deal with the physical play at the college level.
He is a very good defensive player who works at this phase of the game. In addition, he can pick up full court and pressure the ball, making his man really work to get it where he wants.
Kemp will have an adjustment to the college game because of his lack of strength and also because he is a real quiet kid. He is a quiet leader who must become more vocal to lead at the college level. Although he is not an immediate-impact player, Kemp may be thrust into the lineup at Memphis as a freshman because of the turnover in the Tigers' program with a number of star players moving on to the NBA.
Kemp is a great kid. When he attends Memphis and gets with the coaches, he will improve because of the kind of kid he is and his work ethic. If he can improve his jumper, get stronger and get some experience under his belt as a freshman, he will make a big contribution to that program over the next several years.
