A poll of US coaches has named the top high school basketball prospects in America - and it's extraordinary news for Australia.
Ben Simmons, the 18-year-old, 203cm tall forward from Melbourne, and Thon Maker, the 17-year-old, 216cm centre with point guard skills from Perth, were named first and second respectively in the CBS Sports poll.
CBS asked coaches across the US what current high school prospect has the brightest future as an NBA player.
Simmons, who has led Florida's Montverde Academy preparatory school to national titles, topped the poll with 34 per cent of the vote while Maker, starring for Virginia's elite Carlisle School, was second with 19 per cent.
Simmons has announced he will play for Louisiana State University this coming college season while Maker is expected to spend another year at high school before selecting a college.
Simmons is the son of US-born NBL great Dave Simmons.
Maker, who was born in Sudan and moved to Perth when he was a child, has been heavily targeted by top colleges, including Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana and Louisville.
Australia's chance of a medal at the next Olympics looks strong, with Dante Exum (Utah Jazz) and Cameron Bairstow (Chicago Bulls) selected in this year's NBA Draft.
Brock Motum has a chance of making the Jazz after a strong stint at the NBA Summer League while Andrew Bogut (Golden State Warriors), Matthew Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers) and San Antonio Spurs duo Patrick Mills and Aron Baynes are established NBA players.
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