by Alex Schwartz

Whether you are a reader of Rivals, Scout, and/or Hoop Scoop, you know that the general consensus is that Michael Gilchrist of St. Patrick's (NJ), Tony Wroten, Jr. of Garfield (WA), and LaQuinton Ross of Murrah (MS) are the top three players in the class of 2011. All three were on the original roster at the Boost Mobile Elite 24 Classic, but unfortunately Gilchrist was taken off the roster so the trio were not all on the court at Rucker Park in Harlem, New York for the game. Wroten and Ross were both in the Big Apple though, and were actually on the same team. They had an opportunity to battle it out with some of the best rising juniors and seniors in America including Lance Stephenson '09 of Lincoln (NY), Derrick Favors '09 of South Atlanta (GA), John Wall '09 of Word of God (NC), North Carolina-commit Dexter Strickland '09 of St. Patrick's (NJ), Josh Smith '10 of Kentwood (WA), and Doron Lamb '10 of Oak Hill Academy (VA). They each held their own and were stellar in the spotlight. I spoke to LaQuinton the day prior to the main game after his squad won by 30 in the scrimmage.

NB: This is your second year playing in the Elite 24 game and you’re only going into your sophomore year. What’s it been like getting so much attention at such a young age?
LR: It’s been real good. It’s kind of hard to with sometimes because . . . a lot of people run up to you after games, but it’s been alright.

NB: There’s been a lot of talk [and it seems] people have decided that the [near] consensus top three [players] in your class has become you, Michael Gilchrist, and Tony Wroten, [Jr.] Who do you feel is the best player?
LR: In the class of 2011? I know it’s out of us three. I’d probably put LeBryan Nash up there, from Texas. I really don’t know. Most basketball players would say themselves every time.

NB: What schools are showing interest in you right now?
LR: Texas, Florida, USF [South Florida], Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Alabama, [and] Syracuse.

NB: Who would you say are your top choices right now? Who stands out to you?
LR: Probably all my schools in Mississippi [and] Baylor [and] Texas.

NB: There’s been some talk about your plans for high school next year. Are you trying to transfer to Word of God [in North Carolina]? What’s the deal with all that?
LR: The plan was for me to transfer to Word of God, but I think I’m not going to end up going.

NB: So where do you think you’ll be?
LR: I’m at Murrah High School [in Mississippi] now.

NB: What’s been your favorite part of playing at the Elite 24 [Classic] these past two years?
LR: Probably just chilling with everybody, getting to know everybody. There [are] people from New York and all that.

NB: What do you see as the strongest point and the weakest point in your game?
LR: Probably the weakest point is . . . my strength, and probably my strongest point is just probably my athletic ability, getting to the rack and finishing.

Being in the lights at such a young age can lead to some kids faltering, but not LaQuinton Ross. The 6'8 shooting guard has managed to stay near the top of the rankings for quite some time. Ross, a rising sophomore, listed eight schools involved in his recruitment, but that list will only continue to grow. That's one of the perks of being so talented and so highly regarded. LaQuinton has given the Northeast a glimpse of his talent each of the past two summers at the Elite 24 Classic, but many more people will get to see the superstar play over the next few years, and maybe for quite some time after that.

Note- photo is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/.