2021 Spring and Early June Stock-Risers

If I only knew then what I know now," a person much wiser than me once said. And I'm sure whoever launched this wisdom into the ether was making a point about something important — ya know, like raising children or marriage. Turns out, though, this quote is also very relatable for someone who publishes Prospect Rankings. Just attach a few more words to the end of the quote and we've struck a chord: "If I only knew then what I know now, I would not have ranked Keaton Norris no. 85." Norris is far better than that. But I didn't know that in March. While there's a rankings update coming in August where we can amend those mistakes (And make a bunch of new mistakes. How you choose to look at it is up to you.), we're going to own up to them now and show you which 2021 prospects are rising. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/malaki-branham/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Malaki Branham</a> | 6-5 SF | St. Vincent-St. Mary/ Tru Game</h6> current rank: 3 expected jump: top two new offers: Ohio State As far as Branham's Prep Hoops Ohio ranking is concerned, his potential jump is only two spots. To climb at all once you're in the top five, though, is no small feat. He has also leapfrogged tens, if not hundreds, of peers when it comes to national rankings. Branham has always had loads of potential because of his positional size, length, fluidity, and versatility. His breakout spring, though, can be boiled down to ball skills and aggressiveness. Branham's offensive package has become expansive, as he's flashing elite off-the-dribble scoring ability to go with his omnipresent defensive impact. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/logan-duncomb/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Logan Duncomb</a> | 6-8 C | Moeller / Indiana Elite</h6> current rank: 6 expected jump: top four new offers: Miami (OH), Ohio State, Xavier Sixteen-years-old and two months young, Duncomb's ceiling is pretty darn high. It also helps that he's being groomed at Moeller by a staff with a track record of developing post players. We came away from last weekend's Ohio State team camp dazzled by Duncomb's performance against St. Vincent-St. Mary where he dunked it in traffic, hit a 3-pointer, ran the floor, and defended in space for spurts. Ohio State's staff must have been impressed, too, extending an offer to Duncomb shortly thereafter. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-woodyard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trey Woodyard</a> | 6-5 SF | London / Tru Game</h6> current rank: 27 expected jump: top 15 From 15U summer to now, Woodyard is one of the most improved prospects in this class. He is much more put together physically, which allows him to do more than space the floor with his jumper — although that's a big reason why he's valuable. His upper body is trending more towards "lean" than "thin." Flashes some athletic pop around the rim. Woodyard utilizes those physical improvements in the mid- to high-post to roast mismatches. It has also unlocked his defensive ability when going against better athletes. Very good scoring touch from all three levels, even if he's more of a catch-and-score option than a shot-creator. Stay tuned, though, Woodyard may add the shot-creation stuff next. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nate-johnson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nate Johnson </a>| 6-2 PG | Lakota East / Team Flyght</h6> current rank: 38 expected jump: top 25 True stud. Elite athlete who couples explosive drives to the basket with patience, meaning he doesn't force the issue against a wall of defenders. When he has space, though, Johnson uses one quick side-to-side crossover against the initial defender and meets the next guy above the rim. Wide frame that already holds considerable muscle. Capable shooter from a step inside the arch, especially on a one-dribble pull-up slashing either way. Johnson's challenge will be extending his range to match the new Division I arch of 22-feet-and-1 ¾ inches. Mind you, the OHSAA arch is 19-feet-9-inches, so the range we've seen Johnson comfortable at is roughly 17 feet. Johnson is a terror on the defensive end of the floor. Very quick laterally with the strength to defend up a position or two. Quick hands. Impressive rebounder for a guard. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/vernon-smith/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vernon Smith</a> | 6-7 C | Buchtel / All Ohio Red</h6> current rank: 55 expected jump: top 35 Smith brings energy to the floor and sticks to making his impact in the paint. You can rely on the athletic rim-protecting prototype to run the floor, finish with two-handed slams, crash the glass and, most of all, challenge shots at the rim. Smith is also mobile enough to defend in space. <h6><a style="color: #ff6600" href="https://prephoops.com/player/jarius-jones/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jarius Jones</a> | 6-4 SF | Gahanna / Nova (Budd)</h6> current rank: 62 expected jump: top 45 Jones's defensive impact sets him apart from other wings in his class. He's brings a physical presence to both ends of the floor. On defense, that power allows him to defend multiple positions, cut slashers off when he comes over on help-side, and rebound. Jones also finishes through contact in the paint. Pencil him in for at least one and-one before the game even starts. Capable shooter, however Jones does take a while to set-up his 3-point jumper. In other words, he needs space to comfortably shoot it. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/skyler-schmidt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Skyler Schmidt</a> | 6-5 C | Clermont Northeastern / Tru Game</h6> current rank: 66 expected jump: top 50 We came into the grassroots season with doubts that Schmidt's strengths — rebounding, interior scoring, shot-blocking — translated to the next level. Playing with Tru Game, Schmidt is making us rethink that position. Although he's not a towering post player with outrageous height or length, Schmidt is quick off the ground and provides vertical presence that way. Does a good job of jumping straight into the air to challenge shots. Strong shoulders and a wide frame, which allows him to be physical when tracking down rebounds and loose balls. <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keaton-norris/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Keaton Norris</a> | 5-9 G | Bradley / Mid Ohio Pumas (Ross/Norris)</h6> current rank: 85 expected jump: top 55 Norris provided outside shooting and spacing for Bradley this winter. While he was effective in that role, that's all we knew of him going into the spring. At Run N Slam, however, Norris proved capable of playing either guard spot. Showed poise and an advanced IQ as the primary ball-handler. Reminds me a bit of Connor O'Toole, <a style="color: #ff6600" href="https://prephoops.com/2019/06/2020-spring-and-early-june-stock-risers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">who we wrote about yesterday as a 2020 stock-riser</a>. The knock on Norris has to be his size. He's short and thin right now. But take a moment to think about the physical stature of his Bradley teammates. Chris Mayfield, Jack Pugh, AJ Mirgon, graduates like Braden Norris, Zach Hummel, and Isaiah Speelman. Those kids are in the weight room, no question! I think Norris is simply young and will add muscle in due time. Just be patient. <h6>Noah Peeples | 6-3 PF | Buchtel / Rebels 17U</h6> current rank: 89 expected jump: top 60 Peeples may not have great height for his position, but he's wildly physical and capable of carving out space around the basket. He also has length and explosiveness off the ground to go with lateral quickness. While there's surely a few size questions, the combo forward shows flashes of becoming a versatile defender who provides rebounding and mid-range scoring. You can count on him playing hard, too, our favorite part about his game. Makes contested shots from odd angles in traffic against taller opponents. Peeples is comfortable shooting from the elbows, but it would benefit him to extend his range.