After going out nearly every day of the first half of the July period, I have a decent handle on the elite players in the country. I haven’t seen them as much as guys like Scout.com’s tandem of Dave Telep and Evan Daniels, but I’m confident enough to do my Top 6 for the Class of 2011:

It all starts with the guy who virtually came out of nowhere – long, skilled big man Anthony Davis.

1) Anthony Davis, 6-9, 187, PF, Perspectives Charter High (Ill.) – He’s got an 86-inch wingspan and there’s truly not much he can’t do. He’s able to step out and knock down 3’s, he can score in the post, he runs the court extremely well and can impact the game on the defensive end as well with his ability to rebound and block shots. Kentucky, Syracuse and Ohio State are his three finalists and, according to sources, the Wildcats are the leaders at this point.

2) Austin Rivers, 6-4, 175, SG, Winter Park (Fla.) – There’s not a more prolific scorer in the country than Doc Rivers’ kid. He has NBA range, gets to the basket and finishes – and is relentless in doing so. He’s also made a dramatic improvement on the defensive end in the last year. The former Florida commit is now thought to be a heavy lean to Duke, but he told me he plans on visiting North Carolina, Florida and either Kansas or Kentucky prior to making a decision.

3) Michael Gilchrist, 6-7, 185, SF, St. Patrick (N.J.) – He went into July as the clear-cut No. 1 player in the land and he played well – both in Germany and at the Peach Jam. It wasn’t anything he did to lose the spot; it was more a case of what Davis and Rivers did to jump him. Gilchrist is a big-time athlete who plays hard and thrives in transition. What holds him back from being the No. 1 player is a consistent perimeter jump shot. Gilchrist is already committed to Kentucky.

4) James McAdoo, 6-9, 215, PF, Norfolk Christian (Va.) – It was the first time I have ever seen McAdoo play since he sat out last summer with a shoulder injury. He really gets after it, is versatile and could have certainly helped the Tar Heels if he had elected to skip his senior season and go to Chapel Hill this fall.

5) Quincy Miller, 6-8, 195, PF, Westchester Academy (N.C.) – I haven’t seen Miller since last summer, so this may be a little lower than some have him rated. However, I did speak to numerous college coaches who saw and coached Miller in San Antonio and I feel comfortable with him in the No. 5 spot. Miller is a poor man’s Kevin Durant with the length and ability to step out and make shots. Miller has recently put out a list that includes Baylor, Louisville, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas, Duke, Ohio State and Wake Forest.

6) Brad Beal, 6-3, 195, SG, Chaminade College Prep (Mo.) – The Florida commit reminds me so much of Ray Allen. He’s silky smooth and can really shoot the ball from deep. Beal is also a winner.