2021 Rankings Update: The Top Ten
Since the last rankings update in March, we have had some major movements up the rankings boards, including some players who are new to the rankings altogether. This update comes after some players have had massive AAU seasons and “summer…
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Continue ReadingSince the last rankings update in March, we have had some major movements up the rankings boards, including some players who are new to the rankings altogether. This update comes after some players have had massive AAU seasons and “summer ball” in June with their high school teams. Multiple members of the class now hold D1 offers and others have shown they are worthy of those honors soon. Here’s a look at the updated Top 10 for 2021 as they get ready to start their Junior year of high school.
Zion Harmon, Marshall County – Back on top of the rankings after missing his Sophomore season due to being ruled ineligible by the KHSAA, Harmon is a top 30 prospect in the country for the 21 class and should be a big time difference maker for the Marshals this season. Zion has deep range on his shot and is a high level passer. He’s got multiple high major offers and is likely to land at a top 10-15 school in America by signing day.
Ben Johnson, Lexington Catholic – The debate for #2 in the class is a tough one and about 5 different players could make a claim to that #2 spot but Johnson gets the edge based on his stellar play this summer. Ben had one of the best games of June when he went for 30+ points and was the best player on the floor in the game against Fern Creek. Johnson’s shot making ability is some of the best in the state and can create for others off the bounce as well.
Jaden Rogers, Fern Creek – The best pure point guard prospect in the class, Rogers has had a big summer with Brad Beal Elite and worked his way on to the national radar as a prospect. Jaden is shifty and possesses a high IQ as a floor general who can execute an offense or create his own offense. Fern Creek enters the season with high expectations and is likely the favorite to win state in 2021 but that timeline can be sped up if Jaden can raise his game even more and be the best player in the 6th.
Isaiah Mason, Bowling Green – Mason’s best is better than almost everyone else in the class’ best. At 6’5, long and athletic with positional versatility, Isaiah is close to being a high major prospect and the only thing keeping him from that level is the “killer’s mentality” to go out and be the best every time he hits the floor. When he has taken games personal in the past, he has shown the ability to take over games and dominate as the best player on the floor. If he plays every game this year like it’s his last, Bowling Green is capable of making some serious noise this season.
Zek Montgomery, Fern Creek – One of the biggest risers of the summer, Montgomery has really changed his game. His shooting has vastly improved and his motor has really taken off. Zek is very long and a good athlete who wants to dunk everything. Along with Jaden Rogers and Darrius Washington, Zek forms one of the best groups of underclassmen that Louisville has seen in a few years. Montgomery is a very solid D1 prospect at this point and continues to improve every time I see him.
Scotty Draud, Beechwood – Draud slipped down the rankings as a result of some bad luck and illness. Scotty missed out on July AAU due to Mono and others have passed him in the rankings as he has been sidelined. The biggest thing for Scotty after getting healthy is to develop more of a mid-range game. He has the intangibles and size that coaches covet as a 6’6 wing or shooting guard and if he can increase his rebounding rate and play on the ball a little more at Beechwood this year, Draud can shoot right back up the rankings.
Trey James, Martin County – The best big man in the class, Trey has shown the ability to score with jump hooks and the occasional elbow jumper. James needs to continue working to increase his mobility and conditioning as he has to play the entire game for Martin County and has a tendency to wear down over the course of games. His ceiling is still among the highest of anyone in the state but Trey is running out of time to show that he can be a high major player. The potential is there for sure!
Rooster Woodard, Logan County – One of the hardest playing guys I saw all summer was Anthony “Rooster” Woodard. It remains to be seen if he’s a scoring point guard or an attacking combo guard but one thing for sure is that Woodard will give you all he’s got every game out. The MVP of the 16u State tournament, Rooster would benefit from adding another inch or two of height but if he never grows another centimeter, the best thing for his game would be getting in the gym and continuing to improve his jump shot.
Darrius Washington, Fern Creek – Washington is the biggest member of the Fern Creek trio at 6’7. Darrius is mobile and decently athletic but not a great shot blocker. The best advice I could give him is to loosen up and have fun on the court. Washington looks like he’s afraid to screw up when in reality, the staff at Fern Creek has done a good job of letting Darrius develop by playing through his mistakes. If the big man can continue to improve his motor and show his ability to stretch the floor on the offense, he can be a mid major D1 signee at worst.
JaQuais Franklin, Elizabethtown – Speaking of mid major kids, Franklin became the second 2021 kid to get an offer when Illinois-Chicago pulled the trigger on offering him in July. Franklin is a shifty lead guard who excels at getting to the rim and finishing, even through contact. JaQuais still has room to improve as a shooter and rebounder but the UIC offer is a good start for a young man who could find his way into the top 5 of the class rankings before graduation in 2021.