2021 Class: 10 sleepers
I thought I was moving onto writing about the top players in the 2022 class, but I found other players to write about in the 2021 class. The 10 players I’m going to talk about are considered the sleepers, you…
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Continue ReadingI thought I was moving onto writing about the top players in the 2022 class, but I found other players to write about in the 2021 class.
The 10 players I’m going to talk about are considered the sleepers, you know, the players that are being overlooked despite their productivity or potential.
I have said on numerous occasions that this class is deep with talent. It’s the truth, and I don’t know how to say it any other way.
I had the privilege to talk to one of the sleepers, Jensen Linton, about his offseason.
So, I’m going to start with him.
Here are 10 sleepers in the 2021 class:
Jensen Linton, Eagleville: The 6-foot-5 guard/forward missed ¼ of the 2019 regular season after his tore his quad in the team’s season opener against Summertown. He went into the postseason at about 70 percent. Now, with the coronavirus pandemic putting a hold on the Division I Boys State Tournaments, teams haven’t been able to practice with one another.
But Linton has found time to get into the gym and work out in preparation for the summer on the AAU circuit and for his senior season.
“I think I need to improve on my guard skills, get my handles right and improve on my jump shot” Linton said. “Because this year, I played a lot in the inside because we had a lot of guards, but we lost all of our guards, so next year I’m going to have to step it up and play some guard and some post.”
Linton working out with current college basketball players will probably pay off in the long run. Just like them, he has aspirations of playing Division I basketball. Linton is currently working out with players from Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee State and Lipscomb.
Heading into his senior season, Linton mentioned to me that he’s hopeful to get his name out there and spark interest from college programs.
With that being said, the AAU season needs to happen, so I can see Linton play in person. I’m hoping it happens.
Martise Jackson, Siegel: The shooting guard/small forward averaged just 7.6 points per game for the Stars, but his strongest trait is on the defensive end. Jackson recorded 53 steals, 44 deflations and 16 blocks. He also pulled down 121 rebounds (69 defensive, 52 offensive).
Jack Jabbour, MUS: Jabbour is another elite shooter in this class. He only averaged 6.3 points per game for the Owls, but he started 21 games for the team and shot 44 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3. In a 63-59 win at ECS, Jabbour led MUS with 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting.
Samuel Sompayrac, Knoxville Catholic: Sompayrac averaged 7.4 points per game for the Fighting Irish while shooting 43.1 percent from the field. He also recorded 3.3 assists and 0.6 steals per game.
Jordan Hamilton, Cordova: Hamilton made strides offensively from his sophomore season to his junior season. He averaged 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Wolfpack.
Amarion Jones, Westwood: Jones was named First Team All-District this season after averaging 11.2 points, 4.7 assists and 3.8 steals for the Longhorns.
Caleb Smith, Fayette Academy: Smith missed 10 games this season due to an ankle injury. Yet, he managed to average 10.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks for the Vikings.
Tanner Ham, Columbia Academy: The 5-10 shooting guard had a productive season for the Bulldogs, averaging 13.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Ham made 86.7 percent of his free throws and knocked down 34.7 percent of his 3-point attempts. He was also named to the Division II-A District 3 All-Season Team.
Dominic Brown, ECS: The 6-2 combo guard had great moments for the Eagles this season. One of his best performances of the season came in the third place game of the Division II-A West Region Tournament against Tipton-Rosemark Academy. He had 24 points in the team’s 61-47 win over the Rebels. Brown made five of his team’s 11 3-pointers. His coach, Will Jenkins, mentioned to me in a phone conversation that Brown has a chance to play college basketball. He thinks Brown is the team’s best passer.
Thomas Kizer, ECS: At 6-2, Kizer is a solid 3-pointer shooter. He made big ones for the Eagles this season. Kizer helped the offense whenever Kameron Jones and Hadden Burgess saw double teams. With him returning for one more season, I expect Kizer to get more touches and more recognition.