Rankings Update: 2021 Biggest Risers PART 1

James Richards

September 25, 2020 @ 12:00 PM

[player_tooltip player_id="977540" first="John" last="Blankenship"]- 6’5” F Lincoln County 2021 Blankenship will be sought after player. After further evaluation, Blankenship rose in the rankings from 37 to 27, rising 10 spots. At 6’5”-6’6” he plays either forward position. Offensively, he scores from all 3 levels while specializing in mid range scoring, is a good passer for his position, has a good arsenal of moves out of the high/mid post and is a good offensive rebounder. Defensively, he does a good job defending out of the post and has the ability to step out and guard out on the wing. D2s and NAIAs should inquire.   [player_tooltip player_id="977546" first="William" last="Gabbert"]- 6’2” SG George Washington 2021 Seeing Gabbert play in the HS season, he left me impressed with his shooting ability and his ability to play within himself and the offense. After seeing him in AAU with WV Mpact, he really showed how effective he can be with the ball in his hands more. After further evaluation, Blankenship rose in the rankings from 43 to 33, rising 10 spots. He has an elite 1-2 dribble pull up jumper, shoots it extremely well off the catch and moves well without the ball. Defensively, he is always in the right spot and is a good positional rebounder. D2s and NAIAs should inquire.   [player_tooltip player_id="977573" first="Jaycob" last="Smith"]- 5’9” CG Lewis County ’21 During the HS season, I only got to see Smith play once. This summer, I got to see a lot of Smith though. Playing with the WV Reign, he was the heart and soul of the team. After further evaluation, Smith rose in the rankings from 65 to 56, rising 9 spots. Jaycob does whatever you need him to do and can fill many different roles. He will guard the other team’s best player, take a charge or step up and hit a big shot. Offensively, he scores at all 3 levels, has a solid handle, is a solid playmaker and moves well without the ball. On the defensive end, he moves very well laterally allowing him to stay in front of the ball handler, gets a lot of steals/deflections and is always willing to make hustle plays. D3s should inquire.