2021 Rankings Update: Top Combo-Guards Outside of the Top-50

<p>We released the 2021 rankings update two weeks back with a few adjustments and plenty of new additions. We also broke down some of the top players in the class. With that, some players fall under the wayside. Here are the top combo-guards that are outside of the Top-50 but look like they can make some moves with a big season. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916980" first="Tristan" last="Smith"] – Elizabeth</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="916980" first="Tristan" last="Smith"] was one of the very best scorers in all of 4A last season as the 6’2 combo-guard showed that he could do it all. When you take a look at his season overall, he is a player that should be fifty spots higher, and we missed out on this one. Despite being the gameplan for opposing teams to slow down and give different looks, he was still able to have some incredible scoring explosions and against some of the best teams in the state. Smith had 29 points against Thomas Jefferson, 33 points against Widefield, and 32 points in a 60-58 win over Mitchell. He was able to score from all three levels but also rebounded the ball exceptionally well. Smith crashed the boards for easy putbacks as well as starting the break himself on the other end of the floor. He averaged 7.1 rebounds a game and also locked down on the defensive end with 2.5 steals a game. Smith is a player that I will surely keep an eye on and is undoubtedly going to rise as mistakes were made. A solid year for him.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="917017" first="Nate" last="Jacobson"] – Chatfield</strong></p> <p>Jacobson is a player that we might have dropped the ball on in our latest rankings and will inevitably rise on our next rankings update. Honestly, he should be about sixty spots higher. That’s a lot. Last season, Jacobson was one of the bright spots for Chatfield, and what he showed was a complete game. Jacobson averaged 11.3 points and 3.5 rebounds a game that had him on the All-Jeffco team as a junior, and that is no easy task. Jacobson showed off a polished game as a three-level scorer that has confidence in his jump shot and lets it fly, and he also gets into the lane and finishes with either hand. With his 6’3 frame, he also takes advantage of mismatches. He moved his feet on the defensive end and held his own. He is a player that we take a look at down low and know that mistakes were made as he is one of the best combo-guards on the list.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916993" first="Iziayah" last="Elize"] – Frederick</strong></p> <p>Frederick was one of the teams that we were high on heading into the season. They have some interesting players over there; it just has to come together and translate to wins. Of those interesting players, one of the most intriguing is Izayah Elize. Elize is a 6’2 combo-guard with upside, and when it all comes together is going to be tough contain. He adds a bit of everything as he can score in isolation situations, shoot the ball when open as well as dunk in the open floor. Elize is also a playmaker that is comfortable with the ball in his hands. This season was a middle of the pack a season for him, and he was still able to put up 8.4 points and 3.3 rebounds a game. With him stepping into more a defined role where the team will rely on him with scoring next season, I expect him to not only bounce back but be a player to watch heading into the season that could surely rise.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="917029" first="Jimmy" last="Starry"] – Boulder</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="917029" first="Jimmy" last="Starry"] made a jump this season on varsity, and his solid play led to some crucial wins for the Panthers. Starry was one of the consistent forces for Boulder this season as he showed off the ability to score in various ways. Starry got inside of the defense and found holes in the set but was best served as a marksman from deep. Starry made 50 3-pointers on the season and managed to shoot over 40% from beyond the arc. He is confident with the ball in his hands, creates scoring opportunities for others, and also scored when called upon. He is on the bottom of the list but should blossom.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="770429" first="Cheick" last="Kouyate"] – George Washington</strong></p> <p>Kouyate is a player that stars in his role off of the bench and hopefully has a more defined role in the system come senior year. He is a guard that can defend multiple positions as well as create baskets for himself and others. Kouyate is a high-wire guard that is a tenacious defender and hustle player. He understands for him to stay on the floor, he has to play hard and win all of the small battles, and he is willing to do it. With freedom, Kouyate is a ballhandling guard that attacks off of the dribble. He is quick and can break a defender down, just has to do it on a more consistent basis. He is No.89 right now, but if he can show off, he can be a difference-maker on the floor that also plays with the same intensity he does now, he should be a player that gets more time.</p>