Harry Giles III (left) and Jayson Tatum (right) took home hardware in this year’s Players’ Choice awards. (Photo: EYBL)
The votes are in; the players have spoken.
After more than four months traveling around and, in some cases, out of the country for AAU events, showcases, skills camps and tournaments we polled more than 30 elite players in the rising senior and junior classes, who were instructed not to choose themselves, then tallied their votes to come up with winners in different categories; everything from Best Dunker to Most Likely No. 1 NBA Draft pick.
RELATED: 2014 AAU Awards/Superlatives
Here’s who the players decided deserved the hardware.
BEST DUNKER: Terrance Ferguson, Prime U Academy (Dallas), AAU – MWA Elite (Dallas), SG, 2016
BIGGEST TRASH TALKER: Josh Jackson, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), AAU – 1 Nation (Mich.), SF, 2016
BEST BACK-TO-THE-BASKET GAME: DeAndre Ayton, Balboa City (San Diego), AAU – Supreme Court (Calif.), C, 2017
BEST FACE-UP GAME: Harry Giles III, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), AAU – Team CP3 (N.C.), F, 2016
BEST PASSER: Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Chino Hills, Calif.), AAU – QJZ (Calif.), PG, 2016
DEADLIEST SNIPER: Kyle Guy, Lawrence Central (Indianapolis), AAU – Indiana Elite, SG, 2016
BEST SHOT SWATTER: Thon Maker, Athlete First (Can.), AAU – Canada Elite, C, 2016
BEST KILLER INSTINCT: Rawle Alkins, High School – TBD, AAU – NY RENS, G, 2016
BIGGEST SLEEPER: Jalen Johnson, Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.), AAU – Team Wall (N.C.), SF, 2016
BEST HANDLES: Trevon Duval, St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.), AAU – WE-R1 (Del.), PG, 2017
MOST LIKELY TO DECIDE ON A COLLEGE LATE: Dennis Smith Jr., Trinity Christian School (Fayetteville, N.C.), AAU – Team Loaded (N.C.), PG, 2016
MOST LIKELY TO DECIDE ON A COLLEGE EARLY: Frank Jackson, Lone Peak (Alpine, Utah), AAU – Utah Prospects, G, 2016
MOST LIKEY NO. 1 NBA DRAFT PICK: Harry Giles III, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), Team CP3 (N.C.), F, 2016
MOST LIKELY TO BREAK A RIM: Edrice Adebayo, High Point Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.), AAU – Team Loaded (N.C.), F, 2016
BIGGEST WOW FACTOR: Dennis Smith Jr., Trinity Christian School (Fayetteville, N.C.), AAU – Team Loaded (N.C.), PG, 2016
BIGGEST MATCHUP PROBLEM: Jayson Tatum, Chaminade College Prep (St. Louis.), AAU – St. Louis Eagles, F, 2016
MOST LIKELY TO LIVE ON THE SPORTSCENTER TOP 10: Michael Porter Jr., Father Tolton Catholic (Columbia, Mo.), AAU – Mokan Elite (Kan.), SF, 2017
TOUGHEST DEFENSIVE ASSIGNMENT: Udoka Azubuike, Potter’s House (Jacksonville, Fla.), AAU – GA Stars, C, 2016
TOP BUCKET-GETTER: Gary Trent Jr., Apple Valley (Apple Valley, Minn.), AAU – Howard Pulley Panthers (Minn.), SG, 2017
NEXT UP: Marvin Bagley III, Corona Del Sol (Phoenix), WACG (Ariz.), F, 2018
Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY