2021 Rankings Update: Summer Edition

With the final summer of grassroots hoops coming to a close for the Class of 2021, PrepHoops makes an update before the high school season kicks off. The summer helped some more than others given the conditions, but still, Prep Hoops was able to put together a solid rankings update for the respective classes as the high school season approaches. 

Top 10 Overview

There wasn't much movement in the Top 10, so to speak. At the top, Dontrez Styles Dontrez Styles 6'7" | PF Kinston | 2021 State #43 Nation NC (North Carolina remains No. 1 trailed by Terquavion Smith Terquavion Smith 6'3" | CG Farmville Central | 2021 State #105 Nation NC (NC State) and Bobby Pettiford Bobby Pettiford 6'1" | PG South Granville | 2021 State #115 Nation NC (Louisville). Fittingly, all are headed to ACC schools with a pedigree for being very good at basketball, so it'll be interesting to see how everything plays out. Carter Whitt Carter Whitt 6'2" | PG Leesville Road | 2021 State #64 Nation NC has been a familiar name and is set to make a college decision by mid-year, according to sources. Jonas Aidoo Jonas Aidoo 7'0" | C Liberty Heights | 2021 State #89 Nation NC and Jamarii Thomas Jamarii Thomas 6'1" | PG The Burlington School | 2021 State NC are new entrants into the Top 10 as No. 5 and No. 6, respectively. They've both have strong summers on the grassroots scene. BJ Freeman remains at No. 7 given his versatility. He's due for a breakout year at Moravian Prep.

Coming in at No. 8 is Lucas Taylor Lucas Taylor 6'6" | SG Heritage | 2021 State #184 Nation NC , who has seen his recruitment cool off a bit after reeling in over 30 Division I offers from the likes of Wisconsin, Howard, Ohio State, Miami, Clemson, Virginia Tech and other high-major programs. D’Marco Dunn D’Marco Dunn 6'4" | CG Westover | 2021 State #75 Nation NC comes in at No. 9, he's a versatile guard with offers from UNC, Georgia, Arizona, Louisville, Texas, Clemson and Vanderbilt. And rounding out the Top 10 is a familiar name to PrepHoops in Breon Pass Breon Pass 6'1" | PG Reidsville | 2021 State #193 Nation NC . He's seen his recruitment pick up over the summer months and is down to a final four of NC State, Georgia Tech, Providence and East Carolina.

Jamarii Thomas Jamarii Thomas 6'1" | PG The Burlington School | 2021 State NC , Jonas Aidoo Jonas Aidoo 7'0" | C Liberty Heights | 2021 State #89 Nation NC move into Top 10

The summer grassroots season still happened, at least for those that participated, and the likes of Team Curry, Team Charlotte, Flight 22 and others showed their stuff as they battled for supremacy in the power rankings. When it was all said and done, Team Curry reigned supreme behind the play of Jamarii Thomas Jamarii Thomas 6'1" | PG The Burlington School | 2021 State NC and Jonas Aidoo Jonas Aidoo 7'0" | C Liberty Heights | 2021 State #89 Nation NC . They were a lethal 1-2 combination that terrorized opponents on the offensive end with their abilities and as a result, both find themselves ranked among the Top 10 prospects in the class.

Aidoo has seen his recruitment grow over the summer months as a staple in the Team Curry rotation. Now, he holds over 20 offers from the likes of St. John's, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Georgia, VCU, Miami, Pittsburgh and other high-major programs are in the running for his services now.

Thomas has grown more as a floor general that distributes the basketball and when he does get to the rim, he makes sure to finish strong through contact. His recruitment is slowly starting to grow given he's already proven he can defend and score at a high level. He holds offers from Stetson, Winthrop, Georgia Southwestern, Mars Hill, Lees-McRae, Catawba and UNC-Pembroke.

Tons of New Faces (Some Just in New Places) in the Rankings

With the pandemic putting some limitation on the public high school scene, some prospects have made the leap to the private school ranks. It's been interesting to see, though, as many have decided to re-classify as well, but there still remain a number of unsigned seniors that have transferred into the state of North Carolina. Look for names like Isaac Farah Isaac Farah 6'9" | PF Liberty Heights | 2021 State NC , Dondre Watson Dondre Watson 6'9" | PF Bull City Prep | 2021 State NC , Jay Mitchell Jay Mitchell 6'3" | CG Forsyth Country Day | 2021 State NC , Brock Bowen Brock Bowen 5'11" | CG Weddington | 2021 State NC , among others in the coming days as prospects worth taking a look at.

Rankings Expand to 200

Keep an eye out for expanded coverage on this update given the 2021 rankings extend from 150 to 200 players. There's plenty of talent in the state of North Carolina and given the current conditions, it's worth it to take a look at the entire rankings update. With an additional crop of prospects added to our database, there's sure to be a prospect that college coaches can use.