ESPN has recently confirmed what we here at USUStats.com have already known for months. When it comes to high school basketball players in the state of Montana, there is no one better than Corvallis High School’s Riley Bradshaw. After completing his senior year at Corvallis, Riley will be joining the Utah State basketball program for the 2012-13 season.

ESPN recently created a recruiting profile for Riley ranking him as the #1 player in the State of Montana. On a scale of 100 Scout has given him a rating of 86. While these grades are usually given based on limited knowledge and actual observations (usually at AAU events around the country), here is the explanation ESPN provides for this grade:

83-88: Mid-major prospect
Player is a multi-year starter at the mid-major level.

Bradshaw also ranked as the #53 overall prospect in the west region of the 2012 recruiting class and #50 in the nation at the Point Guard position.

For those of you without ESPN Insider Access, the write-up on Riley talks about his excellent abilities on the offensive end. He can hit the three, drive and pop for the mid-range jumper, or take the ball to the hole with good body control and finish with either hand. Scout.com reviews from Las Vegas earlier this year also talked about Riley’s cross-over dribble completely devastating opponents over and over again. ESPN mentioned that he also has excellent all around skills and a good understanding of the game. Things that Riley needs to work on (according to ESPN scouts) are his stength and speed to be able to compete with stronger and quicker guards at the next level.

At the end of the ESPN Insider write-up, it was mentioned that Riley has a lot of upside. With one more year left to play at Corvallis, Riley’s rating may very well move up the scale.

While Riley has played PG in high school, it is yet to be seen what position he will play for the Aggies. He may come in sharing time with Marcel Davis at the PG slot, or Stew may opt to put them both on the court at the same time, moving Riley to the 2-guard. Either way, Utah State’s backcourt for the next several years is looking very, very strong.