2021 Rankings Update: Top 5, Top 5, Top 5

With the 2019-20 high school basketball season officially over we finally shift over our focus to our latest update. Prep Hoops has released its latest Colorado Class of 2021 rankings based on the 2019-20 season. This is one of our deepest classes in the state so it took us a while to look at the full season and break it down. We had drastic movement and also added over 25 new players. Here, we focus on the classes’ top five players.   <h3 style="text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="608058" first="Julian" last="Hammond"] – Cherry Creek</h3> Hammond had the best overall year from any junior in the state and was the only underclassmen named to 1st Team All-State. The 6’2 combo-guard made it out of the gauntlet that is the Centennial League as the Bruins were crowned champs, and he was the leading scorer in the entire conference. The do-it-all guard put up 21.9 points a game and also was one of the top rebounders as well with seven boards a game. This was a season about growth for Hammond as he had 3.6 assists a game and also showcased that he can defend at an elite level. Hammond took on the initiative at defending the opposing team’s best player and attacked anyone that dared to guard him. Hammond got to the rim and finished with ease as he used his strength and size to score over smaller defenders and also stepped out and let it fly as well. Hammond surpassed the 1,000 points scored mark late in the season to add to the accolades. The new No.1 player in the state shot 41% from deep, and when looking at his whole body of work from this season, it is easy to see why he took over the top spot. Hammond is one of the state’s best athletes as he is picking up Division I offers in both football and basketball. <h3 style="text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="608059" first="Jalen" last="Weaver"] – Smoky Hill</h3> [player_tooltip player_id="608059" first="Jalen" last="Weaver"] pushes over to the No.2 player in the class as he had another incredible season where he showcased that he just might be the most complete player in the state. Weaver has the total package and checks off every single box that a college is looking for, and that is why he continues to get Division I interest. Weaver put up 18.8 points a game, and the thing about his buckets are how easy they come. He is dangerous in the open court as most plays end in a highlight dunk or finish with either hand at the rim. He also stops for the mid-range pull-up and also is an underrated shooter as well that makes the defense play him on the perimeter. Weaver is a plus defender that can defend multiple positions and has that competitive edge in him that’ll make this whole process fun. There is plenty on his bulletin board as he was a Centennial League 1st-Teamer, but there was a mistake made somewhere to where he did not make All-State Honorable Mention. I expect him to come out when grassroots starts up with a vengeance and carry that into the season. He might not be No.1 for now, but I know that he is coming to get it. [player_tooltip player_id="770414" first="Boston" last="Stanton"] – Denver East Stanton is an all-around and talented guard who can use his size to bang in the post but thrives with his skill set on the perimeter. He’s a knockdown shooter from deep with good range. Stanton also uses his 6’4 frame to attack closeouts and finish in the paint, and he’s an excellent rebounder from the wing position as well. What I feel separates Stanton from the rest is his ability to go at players. He does not care who is defending him; he plays with a chip on his shoulder and strolls into the year as one of the toughest players to guard. The pit bull combo-guard hounds ballhandlers and annoys opponents with his defensive instincts. Offensively he can score from all three levels as he put up 21.0 points a game to go along with 5.6 rebounds and just under three assists. When the East offense is going through him is when it flows best and Division I colleges are now starting to pay attention as he is getting interest and offers. Stanton is the No.3 player in the class right now, but one thing about him is, he is never satisfied. The top two players need to watch out. [player_tooltip player_id="759196" first="Taeshaud" last="Jackson"] – Dakota Ridge Every winning squad needs a good floor general. Dakota Ridge has one; the only thing is theirs looks a bit different. Jackson is a 6’6 point-forward, and albeit he is the team’s best ballhandler and playmaker, he is lethal inside as well and a beast on the boards. Jackson is a tempo changing wing that’s athletic ability has him amongst the top finishers in the state. He can get anywhere on the floor, and when he is in the open court is when he is most dangerous as he is just as liable to find the open man as he is to finish with a highlight dunk in transition. Jackson is different by the fact that he can guard as well as play positions 1-5; he has quick hands defensively and is always lurking around the ball. When you take into account his playmaking abilities as a bigger guard and combine it with his strength and athleticism, he makes for a complete player. This season, despite seeing double and even triple teams, he was still able to average a double-double of 15.7 points and 11.6 rebounds while also dishing out 4.2 assists. His ceiling is directly correlated to his ability to make open 3’s. When he can consistently start making those, it’s over for the rest of the state. He is easily a top-5 player in the class with room to grow. [player_tooltip player_id="759207" first="Ben" last="Bowen"] – Mountain Vista Bowen is the player that is making his top-5 debut. Bowen is a high IQ combo guard that has a great overall feel for the game and possesses the ability to play both on and off of the ball. Bowen was named to First-Team in the Continental League and was also an All-State Honorable Mention after putting up 16.5 points a game and helping lead Mountain Vista to the playoffs. Bowen gets to the rim with ease, is an improving shooter, and also showed off his athleticism this season with countless alley-oop and through the lane dunks that got the crowd into it. Bowen is a guard that stays in attack mode and goes after mismatches, reads what the defense gives him, and also has a knack for making plays around the rim. Bowen also rebounds well as he came up with 4.2 boards a game and has solid size for a lead guard at 6’2 and is still growing. He used that size to get inside, where he either got smooth finishes or made it to the FT line. The Mountain Vista guard is not one to back down from anybody he goes up against and is an ultimate competitor that plays best in big games. In his junior season, he had a coming-out party, senior season, and I expect him to elevate his game even more as he rounds off the Top-5.