2021 Rankings Update: Stifling Bigs

<p>After the strangest offseason ever, the 2021 rankings have been updated. Given the conditions, PHC made it a point to see as many players as possible rather it be a tournament, small group workout, or showcase –we made it a point to check in with almost every player.</p> <p>For the Class of 2021, having a travel season nearly ripped away, players came out hungry and eager to seize the moment and take full advantage of the stage.</p> <p>Here is our latest rankings update, and here we focus on the men in the middle, the bigs.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916957" first="Nolan" last="Marold"] – ThunderRidge</strong></span></h3> <p>Marold was a player that certainly made a mark during the season for the Grizzlies, as he was the only player to average double figures for ThunderRidge. The big man put up 10 points and six boards a game while being the man in the middle that protected the paint. Marold was one of the conference’s top bigs as he used his size and strength to get everything he wanted. Marold sets hard screens, is very active on the boards, and also is a willing passer that makes the right plays. This summer, he played some of his best basketball for both his AAU team as well as dominating in a Pangos Summit in Utah. Marold has a football build and seemed to get even bigger. He is an agile 6’7 big with a high motor that gives his team multiple fast-break opportunities. He has excellent hand-eye coordination and soft hands and is a nightmare matchup for teams as not many players in the state can match his size and physicality. Marold makes a big jump and comes in at the No.11 player in the class. Expecting a big year and schools to be giving him a look soon.</p> <p>https://twitter.com/cohoopsacademy/status/1287779118965129218?s=20</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759261" first="Isaiah" last="Thompson"] – Fountain Fort-Carson</strong></span></h3> <p>Thompson is a player from Fountain-Fort Carson that was overlooked as a junior despite putting up some massive lines. He averaged a double-double for the entire season of 15.1 points and 12.2 boards a game and got into a groove to close out the season. He took that rhythm into the summer, and he is not so unknown anymore. Thompson dominated in every setting this summer. He showcased versatility in private workouts as a big that can put the ball on the floor; he can step out and shoot it a bit and is one of the most athletic bigs as well. For Pluto Prospects, he led his team to countless victories and a few championships in tournaments both in and out of state as he was the go-to guy. Thompson is an elite defender that steps up to the challenge. He protects the rim and uses his athleticism on that end of the floor, gets up and down the floor, and also cleans up the boards. Thompson has a back to the basket game and can score in isolation but also does the little things that provides energy. He has an endless motor and is a two-way lock down big that uses all of his 6’7 frame. He makes the jump to No.12 in the class and will be asked to do a ton this upcoming season for his team. Schools are starting to catch on as he has a buzz right now, expect him to make a decision before seasons end on where he will continue his playing career. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916990" first="Fred" last="Edmonds"] – George Washington</strong></span></h3> <p>Edmonds is an interesting prospect as I feel he has not got close to his peak and is still really good. His game continues to expand the more that he plays, and he is impactful when he is on the floor. For the Patriots, he was a big that had to scrap for baskets. By working hard on boards, providing second-chance opportunities, and running the floor was how he scored the ball. But with what we have seen this summer when he is in a free-flowing offense and getting paint touches, he can have his way with smaller players. Edmonds is one of the few back to the basket bigs that is willing to back defenders down. He is active on the boards as a glass cleaner and does not shy away from contact. Edmonds was an All-State Honorable mention last season, but I expect him to make strides this year and put the Patriots in the position to make a run. </p> <p>https://twitter.com/Bball_CO/status/1236379209863278592?s=20</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916964" first="Gino" last="Corridori"] – Dakota Ridge</strong></span></h3> <p>Corridori went down with an injury last season, and that changed the way that Dakota Ridge played. Not having the skilled big man in the middle to compete on the boards and dominate down low forced them to get out in transition. Before the injury, he was turning heads with his play as schools got involved. Before he went down, Corridori was averaging 14.3 points and 7.8 rebounds to go along with it. It took him a while to get back, but once he did for the summer, he showcased that he could impact the game as a playmaking big that always appears to be in the right spot. He crashes the boards, moves his weight around to creates mismatches, and also is a player that can be used as an advantage in the halfcourt set. Corridori sets hard screens and also is excellent as a help-side defender. He will continue to work on his back to the basket game but has excellent footwork and building blocks to build on, and Western Colorado University is getting a player that fits their system.</p> <p>https://twitter.com/J_Mills78/status/1235055934558187520?s=20</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965740" first="Adrian" last="Price"] – Eaglecrest</strong></span></h3> <p>Price is one of the few back to the basket bigs that we have in the state, and he is a bruiser. Price is a bit undersized for a center but makes up for it with heart and determination. Price is a hardworking big that loves to play the game, and although he is 6’6, he has one of the longest wingspans in the state. He uses that length for rebounds and shot deflections as he is a rim-protecting big that moves well. Price is sneaky athletic as he was often used from the dunker’s spot with the Raptors last season. He understands where to be and powers right up for finishes. Once he consistently finishes around the basket and transition and works on his motor, he is going to be a tough player to slow down as not many can match his size and physicality.</p> <p>https://twitter.com/ColoradoMiners/status/1252778744126812160?s=20</p>