On second thought: Re-ranking the Class of 2016

Zach Norvell (11) of Simeon puts the ball out of reach from Morgan Park’s Ayo Dosunmu (1). | Sun-Times file photo

There was some pop at the top and a few underrated prospects sprinkled throughout. But make no mistake about it: the Class of 2016 was what we thought it was.

There are a couple of classes that have stood out for all the wrong reasons in Illinois over the past decade: the Class of 2012 and the Class of 2016.

From an overall talent perspective in comparison to other classes, they were two of the weaker classes that have come through this state. There were a lack of high-major prospects and overall Division I players. Now, four years later with many set to graduate, the class didn’t overcome the early ribbing.

Re-ranking the Class of 2016:

1. Zach Norvell, Simeon (Gonzaga)

Where he was ranked: No. 3

Gonzaga guard Zach Norvell Jr. (23) dribbles past Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Maui Invitational.

Following a redshirt season at Gonzaga, the 6-5 guard was an immediate starter for two seasons for a national powerhouse that went a combined 65-9 in his two years in Spokane.

As a redshirt freshman he was named the West Coast Conference Newcomer of the Year as he averaged 12.7 points a game and made 77 three-pointers. As a sophomore he put up 14.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists a game while making 97 three-pointers.

Norvell decided to turn pro following his redshirt sophomore season but went undrafted. He signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played in two games, and was waived in December. Norvell signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors, appearing in three games. He averaged 14.7 points a game for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League.

2. Isaiah Roby, Dixon (Nebraska)

Where he was ranked: No. 2

Nebraska’s Isaiah Roby (15) drives past Northwestern’s Dererk Pardon (5).

It was always about projection with the versatile 6-8 Roby as he was a late-blooming prospect, both physically and with his game. Roby went from 185 pounds to 220 pounds during his first year of college.

After playing a minimal role as a freshman and 24 minutes a game as a sophomore, Roby put together a solid junior season. He averaged 11.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists as a junior before deciding to turn pro.

That “full of potential” description fit in college as well. He was still a second-round NBA Draft pick in 2019 by the Detroit Pistons despite not putting up big numbers in college. He’s since been traded to the Dallas Mavericks and then to the Oklahoma City Thunder where he did play in three NBA games as a rookie this past season.

Roby, who battled an injury this past season, played in 17 G League games for the Oklahoma City Blue.

3. Nick Rakocevic, St. Joseph (USC)

Where he was ranked: No. 4

Nick Rakocevic (35) gets a dunk in the fourth quarter against Rockford Lutheran.

You could argue sliding Rakocevic to the No. 2 spot on this list based on his college production. He’s been nothing but productive as a prep and college player.

The 6-11 big man helped lead St. Joseph to a state championship as a junior. He put together a big senior season for the Chargers and led coach Gene Pingatore’s team back to Peoria where they finished fourth in the state.

Rakocevic went on to a very productive career at USC. He started 89 games in his career and finished with 1,292 points, 923 rebounds and 119 blocks. His biggest season came as a junior when he averaged 14.7 points and 9.3 rebounds a game while shooting 55 percent from the field.

4. Charlie Moore, Morgan Park (California, Kansas, DePaul)

Where he was ranked: No. 1

DePaul’s Charlie Moore (11) dribbles the ball against Seton Hall.

It’s been a winding road since the 5-11 point guard was named the Sun-Times Player of the Year in 2016 and was the lone consensus top 100 prospect in Illinois in the Class of 2016.

Moore started every game his freshman year at Cal, averaging 12.2 points and 3.5 assists a game. He transferred to Kansas, sat out the 2017-2018 season before playing very minimal minutes for the Jayhawks as a redshirt sophomore.

Moore will have one season left at DePaul, where he transferred to a year ago, was granted immediate eligibility and averaged 15.5 points and 6.1 assists a game this past season for the Blue Demons.

5. Mike Smith, Fenwick (Columbia, Michigan)

Where he was ranked: No. 9

Mike Smith (21) of Fenwick runs the offense against Hillcrest.

A huge senior season pushed the 5-10 point guard into the top 10 in the class, and he didn’t disappoint at Columbia. He tore the Ivy League up over three-plus seasons, finishing with a whopping 1,653 points for a career average of 18 points a game. He was among the nation’s leading scorers this past season with 22.8 points a game while adding 4.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds a game.

Smith graduated and is now headed to Michigan as a grad transfer where he will spend his final season playing for coach Juwan Howard in the Big Ten.

6. Justin Pierce, Glenbard West (William & Mary, North Carolina)

Where he was ranked: No. 7

Justin Pierce (32) drives into the lane for two points.

A true late-bloomer in high school, Pierce was a coveted mid-major prospect following a big summer before his senior year. After a heck of a career at Glenbard West –– he averaged 23.8 points a game as a senior and left as the school’s all-time leading scorer –– the 6-7 Pierce continued to put up numbers at William & Mary.

As a sophomore he averaged 14.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists a game. He followed that up with 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists a game as a junior. He graduated in just three years and headed to North Carolina as a grad transfer where he played 18 minutes a game for the Tar Heels and averaged five points and four rebounds a game.

7. Loudon Love, Geneva (Wright State)

Where he was ranked: No. 21

Geneva’a Loudon Love-Vollbrecht (40) pulls in an a rebound.

A massive and physical 5-man who was very raw in high school has turned out to be one of the most overlooked, under-recruited prospects in the Class of 2016.

The 6-8, 260-pound big man redshirted as a freshman, developed under coach Scott Nagy and staff and is in the midst of a monster career. He was the Horizon League Freshman of the Year, first-team all-league as a sophomore and the Horizon League Player of the Year this past season as a junior while averaging 15.9 points and 9.7 rebounds a game. He has a chance to finish his career with 2,000-plus points and 1,000-plus rebounds.

8. Tarkus Ferguson, Belleville Althoff (UIC)

Where he was ranked: No. 10

Belleville Althoff’s Tarkus Ferguson (4) and Jordan Goodwin (23) celebrate on the bench after beating Lincoln-Way West.

The highly talented and athletic 6-4 guard put up double figures each season he played at UIC. Ferguson scored 1,646 career points while also piling up numbers in other statistical categories. His best season was his junior year when he averaged 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals a game. Ferguson wrapped up his career with an impressive 743 rebounds and 632 assists.

9. Nate Kennell, Metamora (Bradley)

Where he was ranked: No. 17

Clayton Custer #13 of Loyola defends against Nate Kennell #25 of the Bradley.

He never passed the look test, lacked athleticism and was overlooked by the City/Suburban Hoops Report coming out of high school. But Kennell carved out a really nice career at Bradley. He was a key player off the bench for a NCAA Tournament team as a junior and started all 34 games as a senior for another Bradley team that was headed to the NCAA Tournament.

The 6-5 Kennell averaged 12.5 points a game this past season, including a blistering 45 percent from the three-point line. He wrapped up his career with 1,236 points and 253 three-pointers made.

10. Barret Benson, Hinsdale South (Northwestern, Southern Illinois)

Where he was ranked: No. 5

Southern Illinois’ Barret Benson, left, grabs a rebound as Saint Louis’ Hasahn French watches.

Things may have not gone exactly as planned for the 6-10 Benson in the Big Ten –– he played very sparingly and scored 194 points in three seasons in Evanston. But he has a Northwestern degree and played a big, productive role for Southern Illinois this past season, averaging 10.6 points and 5.6 rebounds a game while starting all 32 games.

11. Antonio Williams, Proviso East (Indian Hills CC, Kent State)

Where he was ranked: No. 13

Antonio Williams of Proviso East tries to get past Downers Grove South’s Khamari Greene (31).

The explosive “Booman” began his career at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa, where as a sophomore he helped lead his team to a 30-0 record and No. 1 ranking in the country. He was named NJCAA Division All-Region First Team.

Following junior college, the highly-athletic 6-0 guard put together two impressive seasons at Kent State, averaging 11.5 points a game as a junior and 14.7 points a game this past season as a senior. He started 58 games and finished his two-years with averages of 13 points, four rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals a game.

12. Nick Robinson, Kenwood (St. Joseph, Valparaiso)

Where he was ranked: No. 8

Kenwood’s Nick Robinson (25) is fouled by Bogan’s Antonio Thomas (30).

Began his career at St. Joseph where he played two years, starting 30 games, and averaging 5.2 points and 7.7 points a game as a freshman and sophomore, respectively. After sitting out a year after transferring to Valparaiso, Robinson started 19 games and averaged 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds in 23 minutes of action. He has one year left of eligibility at Valpo.

Most Underrated Prospect in the Class of 2016 : Anthony D’Avanzo, Niles Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s Anthony D’Avanzo gets a dunk in the first half against Curie.

He was a sage signing for coach Scott Trost at Lewis. The 6-8 D’Avanzo, who was a late-blooming prospect ranked No. 38 in the final City/Suburban Hoops Report player rankings, would be among the top 15 prospects in the class today.

D’Avanzo turned into a Division II star, averaging 15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds a game this past season while knocking down 55 three-pointers. He decided to transfer and became a priority among several mid-major Division I programs before committing to Southern Illinois.

Looking back: City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top dozen prospects in 2016

1. Charlie Moore, 5-10, PG, Morgan Park

2. Isaiah Roby, 6-8, WF, Dixon

3. Zach Norvell, 6-5, 2G, Simeon

4. Nick Rakocevic, 6-11, PF/C, St. Joseph

5. Barret Benson, 6-10, C, Hinsdale South

6. James Jones, 6-3, 2G, Bogan

7. Justin Pierce, 6-6, WF, Glenbard West

8. Nick Robinson, 6-5, WF, Kenwood

9. Mike Smith, 5-10, PG, Fenwick

10. Tarkus Ferguson, 6-3, PG/2G/WF, Belleville Althoff

11. Devin Gage, 6-1, PG, Curie

12. Lorenzo Edwards, 6-7, WF, Lake Forest