As promising as Baltimore’s class of 2009 men’s basketball recruits could be, the city’s 2010 crop looks even better.

Carlton Carrington’s 16-and-under Mt. Royal-Team Melo squad (which will officially be known as Nike Baltimore Elite in October) did major damage on the summer AAU circuit, opening the eyes of college recruiters across the country to Baltimore’s high-level talent.

“Oh man, I would say at least seven-to-10 [local players in the class of 2010] would be mid- to high-majors down the road -- not just in my program but all around Baltimore,” Carrington said. “I think at least seven could, right now, sign big letters of intent, and I think another three if they keep on improving. We’ll have probably three kids in the top 25 and five in the top 50, when Scout and Rivals’ new rankings come out. Josh Selby, who’s the No. 1 point guard in the country, he played on the 17-and-under team. He played up with Jonathan Graham. You put them in the mix and they’re going to be real good.”

Selby, who started his high school career at John Carroll before transferring to DeMatha for his sophomore season, is ranked as Rivals.com‘s No. 5 player in the 2010 class. Carrington said Selby’s recruitment is wide open.

“Josh Selby’s going to be recruited by everybody under the sun,” Carrington said. “Memphis, Florida, Louisville. I’m surprised that Maryland hasn’t come after him. Tennessee, he visited there and Louisville. He’s going on visits to Memphis, Oklahoma, Texas. He just has a world of schools coming after him.”

Graham, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Calvert Hall, more than held his own playing a year up for Carrington’s team. Several high-major schools took notice.

“Villanova has offered,” Carrington said. “I think Maryland is involved, of course, because his father [Ernie Graham] played there. I know Syracuse has been inquiring. Those are the big schools.”

On Team Melo’s 16-and-under team, City College power forward Jordan Latham led the way.

“He’s being heavily recruited right now by Florida, Xavier University, James Madison, Richmond, which offered a scholarship, along with Xavier,” Carrington said. “Maryland and Clemson are also looking at Jordan Latham.”

Carrington cited several other standouts on Team Melo’s U-16 team this summer: St. Frances shooting guard Dante Holmes, Calvert Hall forward Damien Lee, Dunbar guard Derrell Edwards, St. Frances forward Greg Lewis, St. Frances point guard R.J. Williams and Baltimore Freedom Academy guard Kevin Smith.

According to Carrington, Holmes “could be a high-major if he keeps working hard,” Edwards is hearing from George Mason, Siena and Towson, while Lee is also receiving interest from several CAA schools.

Lewis, Williams and Smith are all 2011 recruits, but Carrington has high expectations for each -- particularly the St. Frances big man.

“Greg Lewis is really class of 2011, but he played up with the 16s,” Carrington said. “His recruitment is going to be big, too. I know Maryland is involved, Florida is going to tear the door down and I think Georgetown [will be there], but he’s still 2011.”

While the summer AAU circuit has come to a close, Carrington is having trouble containing his excitement for next summer, when Nike Baltimore Elite makes its debut.

“I’m excited about [Latham and Graham] and Josh Selby as the number one point guard in the country,” Carrington said. “I’m excited because we’ve got some bigs that can play and hang around the basket and guys that can flat out shoot it. I’m just excited about next summer with the new name, uniforms and logos.”