2021 Diamonds in the Rough

<p>The 2021 class is filled with star power as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850498" first="Jonathan" last="Kuminga"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850499" first="Trey" last="Patterson"] </strong>are both two of the top 40 players in the nation. Kuminga is not the only high level junior at the Patrick School as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850500" first="Adama" last="Sanogo"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850501" first="Bretner" last="Mutombo"] </strong>both have offers from high major schools. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850516" first="Samson" last="Johnson"] </strong>emerged as a big-time shot-blocker for the Celtics, making him one of the more intriguing prospects in his class. The junior class is full of under the radar players who deserve more recognition. Here are the top diamonds in the rough for the 2021 class.</p> <p><strong>PG: [player_tooltip player_id="900309" first="Christian" last="Cevis"] 6’0 West Morris</strong></p> <p>West Morris repeated as Morris County Tournament champions behind Cevis’ play at the point. The NJAC Player of the Year is one of the top floor generals in New Jersey with his combination of poise and vision. Cevis makes plays off the bounce and can bury shots from behind the arc. Defensively, he has quick hands and knows how to beat his man to the spot. Cevis has the talent to play D1 basketball and has proven that over the last two seasons.</p> <p><strong>SG: [player_tooltip player_id="900311" first="Bakir" last="Cleveland"] 6’4 University</strong></p> <p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896648" first="Noah" last="Mack"] </strong>and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900345" first="Justin" last="Harcourt"] </strong>were impact players for the Phoenix this season, but Cleveland was the go-to scorer for the North Jersey 2 Group 1 champions. The 6’4 guard is at his best attacking the basket as he knows how to finish through contact. Cleveland has a good mid-range game and is an underrated passer. He is a tough on-ball defender and solid rebounder. Cleveland’s ability to impact the game on both ends makes him an intriguing wing option in the 2021 class.</p> <p><strong>SF: [player_tooltip player_id="900302" first="Zaba" last="Bangala"], 6’8 SF St. Benedict’s</strong></p> <p>The Grey Bees were one of the top teams in the nation last season and Bangala was a big reason why. The Swedish native plays with a high motor on both ends of the floor and is a tough defender down low. Bangala uses his strong frame to create shots for himself around the basket and knows how to finish through contact. He has a soft touch around the basket and is one of the best rebounders in the junior class. Bangala has the potential to play big-time college basketball and is one of the most slept on prospects in the junior class.</p> <p><strong>PF:[player_tooltip player_id="900298" first="Kyle" last="Rhoden"], 6’9 PF Ranney</strong></p> <p>Rhoden missed the majority of his junior season due to transfer and injury, but was able to stand out when he was on the floor. The 6’9 forward is one of the top shot-blockers in the class with his combination of length and athleticism. Rhoden has nice footwork down low and is developing his range. He is a good ball-handler for a power forward and is a rugged rebounder. Rhoden is a prospect that D1 programs should have on their radar because of his ability to block shots.</p> <p><strong>C: [player_tooltip player_id="900303" first="Boqiao" last="Jiao"] 6’11 C Patrick School</strong></p> <p>With Kuminga, Sanogo, Mutombo and Johnson all in the junior class, it’s easy to see how Jiao is overlooked. The Chinese native is the modern day big as he has range that extends to the three-point line. Jiao is a tough rebounder down low who scraps for offensive rebounds. He plays with composure and rarely seems to get flustered by the moment. Jiao’s ability to impact that game inside and out makes him an interesting prospect for coaches to look at.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900293" first="Keith" last="Mency"], 6’1 CG Marist</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900297" first="Tazir" last="Cantey"], 6’0 PG Lindenwold</strong></p> <p><strong>Dominic Barlow, 6’7 SF Dumont</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900310" first="Kunga" last="Tsering"], 6’6 SF Hasbrouck Heights</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900308" first="Wesley" last="Robinson"], 6’6 PF Life Center Academy</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900301" first="Chris" last="Rubayo"], 6’8 PF Montgomery</strong></p>