2/8 Providence Recruiting Power Rankings

In Friarbasketball.net's 2nd installment of the recruiting rankings we will rank our top 7 prospects overall.  In January they were rated by class and those rankings will come later this week.  For now, here are the top 7 overall.

As noted previously, these rankings are not simply based on talent.  We're looking at talent, need, fit, and the possibility of the student becoming a Friar.

Kevin's 7 for 2/8/2010:

1. Khem Birch, 2012 6'9 power forward, Winchendon.  Keno Davis has shown he can land guards (Vincent Council, Gerard Coleman, Joe Young), the next step is getting an impact big man.  Birch is quick off of his feet and times blocks well.  With so many scorers on Winchendon Birch only takes a handful of shots a game, but he tops this list as a game changing defensive player who has noted that PC is his leader.  The Friars need a shot blocker in the worst way and Birch was great around the rim against a solid St. Mark's frontline. 
2. Shabazz Napier, 2011 5'11 point guard, Lawrence Academy.  For a kid as good as Napier things have been quiet publically in terms of his recruitment.  With Naadir Tharpe recently taking in the Marquette game and Napier continuing to blow up, the feeling among many Friar fans is Tharpe may be a closer lean.  Until I see it written that PC is out of the running for Shabazz he'll be the top guard on this list - the kid is great.  With Council on campus for his first two seasons, Napier could play a microwave role off of the bench before being handed the reigns.
3. Ricardo Ledo, 2012 6'5 shooting guard, St. Andrew's.  After a subpar opener at the NPSI (0-5 from 3), Ledo carried St. A's home in a nice win over MCI.  Currently ranked among the top 25 players in the country in the class of 2012, the Providence native will see plenty of love from across the country, but the thought here is that Providence will be in this fight until the end.  Not as polished as fellow 2012 Rhode Islander Alex Murphy at this point, but gut tells me that he is a more realistic get.
4. Naadir Tharpe, 2011 6'0 point guard, Brewster Academy.  Some of the big boys are sniffing, but Boston College is PC's biggest name competition for a kid who recently said he'd like to stay local.  Then again, Gerard Coleman was quoted in his junior year as saying he'd like to get away from home.  Tremendous quickness and an above average passer who would make teammates better.  Can he play with Council?  Is a better player than he showed at this NPSI.
5. Alex Murphy, 2012 6'8 small forward, St. Mark's.  On talent alone, Murphy might be the top player on the list.  It's all coming together for Murphy, who is being recruited by seemingly every big name in the country.  A dominating game in a win over Winchendon at the NPSI won't stop the big boys from calling.  Landing Murphy would mean the PC staff fought off tremendous competition.
6. Kadeem Jack, 2010 6'9 power forward, Rice (NY).  A relatively new name to Friar fans who Providence has a good shot at.  As has been reported, he visited Arizona, but since his visit the Wildcats grabbed a commitment from Jordin Mayes and may have to sacrifice a scholarship due to self-imposed sanctions.  They were low on scholarships as it was and may not have room for Jack.  Kadeem would immediately help a frontcourt in need of immediate help.
7. Nerlens Noel (pictured), 2012 6'9 power forward, Everett (MA).  Shh.  Things have been quiet on the Noel front who broke his leg a few weeks ago.  A fine alternative (or better yet pairing) to Birch, Noel is a big kid for someone so young and flashes good defensive instincts.  Doesn't get the buzz of a Birch, Ledo, or Napier, but would be an impactful get for his size and defensive potential.

Who is your top target for the Friars?  Vote at the poll on the left.