Rankings Update: Top 2021 Point Guards

James Richards

May 4, 2020 @ 10:04 AM

Prep Hoops West Virginia released its inaugural 2021 class rankings this week and the updated list features 75 players. Here Prep Hoops takes a look at the top four point guards in the class of 2021 in WV. [player_tooltip player_id="977500" first="Milos" last="Merrick"] - ISA (OH) 2021 Merrick, standing at 6’3”, is the epitome of a pure point guard. He is a crafty guard with confidence that controls the offense and can score in various ways. He can shoot the ball if given room, can create off of the dribble and gets to the rim. He still needs to get more consistent scoring the ball, but he’ll be fine. He sees the floor extremely well, is a great passer and always makes the right read. Defensively, he’s solid and can guard 1-3 because of his length and strength. His numbers don’t represent really how good he is either being that he played behind a 3 star 2022 point guard and with 7 players total who have already received Division I offers.This past season he averaged 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game playing at the national level. Low and mid major D1 programs need to call this kid.   [player_tooltip player_id="977510" first="Noah" last="Rittinger"] - Poca 2021 Rittinger, a 6’2” PG, had a good junior year in his first season playing at Poca. He had previously played at national powerhouses Huntington Prep and Teays Valley. Rittinger has a beautiful jumper and he shoots it extremely well from both mid range and from 3. Noah is crafty around the rim and uses both hands well. He is a good passer and makes good reads. He also handles the ball very well allowing him to get wherever he wants on the court. His numbers don’t represent how good he is either being that he played beside a top 150 player nationally, and the #1 ranked 2022 in the state. This past season he averaged 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Low major D1’s need to get on him.   [player_tooltip player_id="977522" first="DJ" last="Saunders"] - Wheeling Park 2021 DJ, a 6’0” PG, had a good season in his first year at Wheeling Park. Last year, DJ decided to transfer to Park from Class A powerhouse Wheeling Central. DJ started the season extremely well going head to head with Bowling Green State commit, Kaden Metheny, before cooling off some. DJ shoots the mid range pull up well and is starting to develop a decent 3 point jumper. DJ has a good handle and is a very good passer. DJ has a good first step allowing him to blow by defenders. He uses his body well and is a good finisher. DJ is a solid defender who gets a lot of steals. He has very quick hands and is strong allowing him to guard at either guard spot. This past season he averaged 9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. D2/NAIA’s and high level D3’s need to reach out. [player_tooltip player_id="977528" first="Peyton" last="Adams"] - Man 2021 Peyton, a 5’8” PG, had an up and down season at Man. Adams is extremely smooth with his handle and jumper. He scores the ball from all 3 levels and shoots the 3 ball very well. His handle is very tight and he makes defenders look silly at times. Adams is a solid passer. Adams is a decent defender, but gets some steals. At first glance you may underestimate him but this kid will really give you a bucket. This past season he averaged 9.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. High level D3’s and D2’s need to give this kid a look.