Rankings Update: Top 2021 Small Forwards

James Richards

May 4, 2020 @ 10:06 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 small forwards in the class of 2021 in WV.   [player_tooltip player_id="977499" first="Sam" last="Alajiki"] - Beckley Prep 2021 Alajiki, a 6’7” SF, is going to be a very highly recruited player. He is a great scorer who is extremely long and rebounds well, too. Sam is capable of scoring at all 3 levels, although he doesn’t shoot much from there. He shoots the 3 extremely well, off the catch or off the dribble. Alajiki also finishes well with both hands and plays above the rim. Sam also has great footwork and quick, efficient moves off of ball reversals. He is a good ball handler with solid passing. Defensively he is solid but has great versatility and can guard 1-4 because of his length, strength and lateral foot speed. Mid major D1’s, this kid is going to be a steal somewhere.   [player_tooltip player_id="977501" first="Landry" last="Palata"] - Teays Valley 2021 Palata, a 6’8” forward, is someone who every time I see him, he gets better. This was Palata’s first year playing with Teays Valley. Last year he played at Heritage IJN before transferring to Teays Valley. Palata uses ball fakes and shot fakes very well, and that frees him up for straight line drives to the basket. Palata finishes well and is able to play above the rim. He is a great rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. He is a great athlete and picks up so much space on every stride. Palata is a mid major D1 prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id="758048" first="Aiden" last="Satterfield"]- Charleston Catholic 2021 Satterfield, a 6’6” SF, has made bigger improvements in one calendar year than anyone since I started covering WV hoops. As a sophomore, he averaged 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. 19.1 points per game, he also shot better than 51% from the field and grabbed 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals a contest. Satterfield shoots the ball well and scores from all 3 levels. He understands how to play the game and has a sense of what is a good shot. Aiden also is a good athlete and can play above the rim. Defensively he is average and can guard 2’s and 3’s. His game didn’t only develop in skill, he also has grown 2 inches and is now a true wing. Satterfield just recently received his first offer from the University of Charleston (D2). I expected him to blow up this summer in AAU. Low and mid major D1’s need to give him a look.   [player_tooltip player_id="977509" first="Amare" last="Smith"] - Huntington 2021 6’5” SF Amare is a 6’5" wing who is capable of playing 2-4. Amare excels in scoring off of the mid range jump shot. He also shoots the 3 ball well as he shot 37% from 3 (37/101 3PT). Smith is a solid ball handler. Amare also has a good mid post game and is a very good passer out of the post. Smith is also solid at taking defenders off the bounce and hitting the open man. Smith is a solid defender who can guard either forward position. Amare rebounds the ball well, especially on the offensive glass (2.7 offensive rebounds per game). Low major D1 and D2’s should reach out.