We recently released our inaugural Tristate Top 100 preseason player rankings.
While there were no precise numerical rankings for each player, they were ranked in groups of 10, beginning with the first group of 10 (Players 1-10) and ending with the final group of 10 (Players 90-100).
Our reason for doing that is to underscore the reality that rankings — whether team rankings, player rankings or even restaurant rankings (any type of rankings you can think of, in fact) — are not an exact science. Treating them as if they are is not only unrealistic, but some might argue, irresponsible as well.
So the goal of our Top 100 preseason player rankings, as well as our preseason Top 25 team rankings, is to initiate a thoughtful discussion about the topic while presenting our point of view.
Now, we take that concept one step further, and present our first look at 10 Tristate Top 100 players who will be impact players at the college level.
You might think the easy way — or maybe the only way — to do that is to simply select the first group of 10 players.
But in selecting these players, we went beyond where the players may rank currently and tried to project how their skills and potential will project one, two, three, even four years down the road.
While the same criteria for evaluation we outlined here was used, it was spun forward to not only predict player development, but how players will adapt to the rigors of college lacrosse.
Joe Lombardi‘s selection process was similar to the one he utilized last year at this time when he spotlighted 25 high school lacrosse players to watch nationally heading into the 2013 season for CBSSports.com’s MaxPreps.com.
“I had resisted doing player rankings prior to that, but it was a format I felt comfortable with,” Joe said. “It wasn’t based on awards or statistics. It’s wasn’t saying ‘These are the best 25 players in the country.’
“It was a look at 25 players with a variety of skills and abilities and all with tremendous upsides. These were players I heard a lot of good things about from coaches at all levels, and most of the time, their feedback supported evaluations I had made.”
Again, there were no precise numerical rankings. And, as was the case with the Top 100, the players were listed alphabetically.
“I think sometimes, people who do rankings like to be seen as the ultimate judges, with maybe help from a few people in their prestigious little tribal council,” Joe said. “They love for the rankings to be about them, especially in football and basketball. It should never be that way. It’s about the players.”
With that in mind, we present our inaugural 10 Tristate Top 100 players who will be impact players in college on our Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section.
Be sure to check it out here.
Have a recruiting commitment to report? Send an email to info@laxlessons.com, contact Joe Lombardi directly at joe@laxlessons.com or send a Tweet to @Joe_Lombardi or @LaxLessons.
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Posted In: Connecticut, Hudson Valley, Long Island lacrosse, New Jersey lacrosse, New York City lacrosse, Recruiting Rundown
