Wisconsin’s 2021 class boasts some excellent prospects. The top of the 2021 class is dominated by names like Patrick Baldwin Jr., Cade Meyer, and David Joplin. All of these players are extremely talented and they have set themselves up for…
Wisconsin’s 2021 class boasts some excellent prospects. The top of the 2021 class is dominated by names like Patrick Baldwin Jr., Cade Meyer, and David Joplin. All of these players are extremely talented and they have set themselves up for great finishes to their high school career. But, the cream of the crop has gotten plenty of publicity.
Which underrated prospects in the 2021 class deserve some more recognition? Prep Hoops Wisconsin highlights six underrated prospects from the class of 2021, who are all deserving of some hype as the 2019-20 season rolls around.
Because Beauprey plays for a small school during the high school season, his stats are significantly inflated. The guard averaged 37.9 points, 20.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game last year. Those are some pretty insane numbers, right? It is hard to imagine LeBron James averaging those stats over the course of a full season.
However, Beauprey did do it, and while his competition is questionable, it is still very impressive. Later, in the AAU season, Beauprey proved that those numbers were not just an illusion. He shot the ball very well and led his 16U team (Wisconsin Crusaders) to many wins.
Brandon Leach played on a Wisconsin United AAU squad the featured multiple hidden gems. Leach might have been the gem that shined the brightest. He was really good at the point guard position, as he knifed his way into the lane for layups on a consistent basis. The 6-foot lead guard rarely gave the ball away and was also an effective distributor. Leach’s fast-paced play style will bring something unique to MW after the Purgolders lost Michael Foster and Tre White.
Hayden Doyle is a scrappy guard who just gets the job done. Unlike most players, Doyle actually thrives when the water gets muddy and the going gets tough. He separates himself from the rest of his peers with his ability to create offense and make teammates better. Doyle’s phenomenal play has earned him scholarship offers from Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech. Expect big numbers from the guard as he transitions into his junior season at Brookfield East.
The first time that I saw Ronja Kelly play, he nearly willed his AAU team (BC Swag) to an upset win over an Illinois Sharks squad that was simply better. The final score was tilted in the wrong way for BC Swag, but Kelly did more than enough to earn my attention. The athletic lefty played great on-ball defense and showed flashes of immense scoring potential. Kelly is a high volume shooter who seems to be inspired by James Harden on the court. Every time the guard pounds the rock in his hand, he is looking to get a shot off. He is not immune to the occasional cold streak, but more often than not, Kelly is an offensive weapon.
Cael McGee is an athletic combo guard who brings a fiery passion to the basketball court. He most recently displayed his skills at the Prep Hoops Top250 Expo, which took place in September. At the event, McGee showed off his attractive skill package. The Stoughton guard can be a pest on defense, make shots on a consistent basis, and use his quick first dribble to get the rim. After averaging ten points per game as a sophomore, McGee will hope to help Stoughton earn the Badger South Conference Crown as a junior.
Victor Desmond is definitely a player to look out for in the 2019-20 season. Desmond competes with an Onalaska team that is looking to make a run towards a state title. If the Hilltoppers are to legitimately challenge La Crosse Central and the rest of the D2 field, Desmond will need to live up to his potential. The wing showed promise while playing with Wisconsin Playground Club, but he never seemed to get on a consistent roll.
With his 6-foot-4 frame, Desmond has no problem blocking shots while playing defense and scoring while playing offense. If Desmond can make the jump, Division Two teams should take notice. He is a superstar who is just waiting for the right moment to pull back the curtains.