2021 Rankings Update: Predicting Stock Boosting Bigs

<p>This was a rankings update that took us quite some time as we made sure to see as many prospects as we could in person as well as look at how they fared throughout the summer and began the season. With that being said, we added over 25 players to the 2021 class rankings and also seen massive movement in this group in particular. We will do one more update right after the season to get prepared for the grassroots season. Here are five bigs that we are predicting will make a jump in our next rankings.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Garret Siebert – Legend</strong></h3> <p>Legend is a team that is starting to come into their own and that does not bode well for the rest of the state. They are a deep team that has very good guard play and having a skilled big man with size like Siebert makes them a bit more dangerous. Siebert is the second-leading scorer on the team at 13.4 points a game. He runs the floor well, has good footwork down low and soft touch around the rim. He can play back to the basket or also create with a quick move. He also is able to rebound well at times. He uses his 6'6 frame to box defenders out and tries to use his athleticism to do the rest. Once motivated, there are not many big men that have the motor and size to outrebound him and he also is gifted offensively which creates mismatches. Consistently attacking each game and coming in with the same mindset where he tries to dominate anybody that faces off against him is the difference from him being the No. 37 (current spot) and a top-25 spot where he likely belongs.  </p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/erik-olsen/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/erik-olsen/">Erik Olsen</a></a> – Heritage</strong></h3> <p>The one thing that Heritage does have is size and it is a bit shocking to me that they are not winning more games with the group they have over there as they have a few players that can truly play. One of their top standouts, 6'6 forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/erik-olsen/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/erik-olsen/">Erik Olsen</a></a> who is pure athlete with a high ceiling – he just has to reach it. Olsen is currently averaging 9.8 points and 6.5 rebounds a game and that is while having to battle with some pretty good bigs around him for size as well as spacing. He is still progressing offensively but as a glass cleaner that gives great energy and competes with other bigs down on the block, he has it down. Olsen is a player that with more individual work he could become a complete two-way forward that can impact the game. He is athletic and dangerous in the open court and has nice size. He is the No. 52 player in the class but I do see him hitting a switch, hopefully soon where the games just slows down for him and he starts having his way. He will surely rise by next rankings.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-edmonds/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-edmonds/">Fred Edmonds</a></a> – George Washington</strong></h3> <p>Edmonds is a player that I did not know much about heading into the season but have watched on multiple occasions and he seems to get better every single time I see him. He is putting up 5.4 points and 5.0 rebounds a game and also has gotten better as a paint protector that uses his 6'7 frame and long arm span to keep the offense from getting easy looks. In Edmonds's last game against Northfield, he finished with four blocks in the game and also had a sequence where he brought the ball up the court, maneuvered the defender with a move and then went up and dunked it after. His confidence is starting to grow but he also is starting to get healthy and trust his body while fitting into his role. He is the No. 59 player in the class but with the progression I see him making to close out the season along with the work that he will put in come summer and be able to help a team I expect him to jump up a big by our next rankings.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gunnar-helm/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gunnar-helm/">Gunnar Helm</a></a> – Cherry Creek</strong></h3> <p>Helm is a player that has played more minutes this year and has been a much-needed addition to the team as they are a team of multi-sport athletes that get after it. Helm brings toughness as he is a big body that bangs down low for boards and makes opposing bigs work really hard but he is also pretty skilled as well. Make no mistake about it, Helm is a player that will be playing Division I football in the future, but on the hardwood, he shows signs of being a talented big that Cherry Creek really needs. The game that stands out for me most this season was the Smoky Hill game. He finished with 12 points in the game and that included two 3-pointers, cutting and finishing tough baskets at the rim and also going to the free-throw line. He is a player that brings intangibles that coaches are looking for and right now he is at No. 95 but with how Creek will continue to use him as a bruiser that gives good minutes he might have some room to grow.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/damien-barnes/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/damien-barnes/">Damien Barnes</a></a> – Eads</strong></h3> <p>Eads has a 6'4 forward that has been the engine for the team and leading them to victories. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/damien-barnes/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/damien-barnes/">Damien Barnes</a></a> is a multi-sport athlete with great athleticism and he is leading Eads in both scoring at 13.3 points and 13.6 rebounds a game. He is a double-double machine and is relentless on the boards as he refuses to be outworked. He also has some skills that translate and you can build around. He uses will and determination to get baskets and with him leading the way, they have a chance to keep on rising in 1A. Barnes is one of the more balanced players in the class and right now he is currently the No. 92 player in the class but could move up a few notches.</p>