2021 Rankings Update: Top Forwards/Bigs outside of the Top-50

<p>PHC released the 2021 rankings update and, with that, broke down some of the top players in the class. With that, some players fall under the wayside. Here are the top forwards/bigs sitting outside of the Top-50.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965762" first="Blake" last="Essex"] – Mile High Academy</strong></span></h3> <p>Essex is the top big in the state that you do not know about, and based on the stats that he had last season as he led Mile High Academy to a 21-3 record should be a player of the year favorite going into his senior season. Essex was a 1A 1^st-Team All-State member after putting up an impressive stat line of 21.2 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 4.3 boards a game. His 37 points, six rebounds performance in a 63-58 win over Flatirons Academy, had to be one of the best individual numbers we had in a win last season, and he was able to hold that consistently. We saw him in a private workout this summer as well, and he shows a complete skillset. He establishes early post position, finishes around the rim, and also adds some range. Essex has good feet and runs the floor fairly well. He is efficient around the basket and lets his pure size and length do the work as he is a legit 6’7 big that affects the game in various ways. I expect more of the same from him this season.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050935" first="Garrett" last="Brown"] – George Washington</strong></span></h3> <p>Brown is a physical and athletic big man with good size. He can rebound the ball well, is an effective finisher at the rim, and is a huge body in the paint that makes it difficult for the opposing team. Last season for the Patriots, he played relief minutes, but in those moments, he was very active on the boards and showed that with extra minutes could be effective. Brown runs the floor well, and has great hands. He does need to continue developing his post moves but provides some face-up game possibilities. Brown protects the rim, establishes position on the block, and has the type of length that few in Colorado possess. Hopefully, this upcoming season he can prove that he is an X-factor type of player that needs more opportunity. If it finally clicks, he does have a high ceiling. We are excited to see how he has improved on his game over the summer.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916963" first="Tayzhean" last="Archuleta"] – Colorado Prep</strong></span></h3> <p>Archuleta was a major contributor on the Colorado Springs Metro League’s top team as Harrison went 19-5 on the season. He was the team’s second-leading scorer after putting up a balanced stat line of 12.1 points and over three rebounds and assists a game. He makes the move over to Colorado Prep, and what he has shown in his short time there is much of the same, the ability to put his stamp on the game in various ways. Archuleta is a versatile forward that can step out on the wing and is an interchangeable defender as well. Archuleta steps out and hits the 3-ball, gets inside as a creative finisher, and also is a player you can put the ball in his hands and watch him create as a playmaker. He’s a high-level rebounder on both ends of the floor who can also pass it a bit, and once he finds his rhythm can go in and disrupt the flow of the opposing team. Hopefully, it works for him on his move.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965758" first="Mamadou" last="Sow"] – Lutheran</strong></span></h3> <p>Sow is a difficult player to gauge as he is skilled, but also out of position. He is a score-first guard stuck in a 6’7 paint beast body. He wants to score, and there is not a shot that he turns down. He will shoot over a double-team, force the issue inside, and also brings the ball up the floor. But, if he played to his God-given talents and potential, is where he would thrive as a player. For Lutheran, he is surrounded by a strong supporting cast, and one of the top bigs in the country, and they have a strong 1-2 punch. Lutheran runs their offense through Sow at times, and he makes plays. Sow was a 3A All-State honorable mention as a junior as he put up 11.7 points and 5.8 rebounds a game. He showcases a consistent mid-range jumper and grabs boards and finishes over smaller players. He continues to develop his low-post game but has enough to create and attack mismatches. This season, hopefully, he accepts his role and uses his size as that will be how he plays at the next level.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="1051097" first="Clay" last="Nanke"] – Regis</span></strong></h3> <p>Nanke’s future is likely on the gridiron, or maybe even the diamond. That’s the thing, he is one of the best pure athletes in the entire state and is a competitor that brings out the best in teammates and opponents. For Regis last season, he only played for half of the season, but it was not a coincidence that once he got involved, the wins came. Nanke is a 6-6 high-flying rim protector that can jump out of the gym. His offensive game is fairly limited, but he makes up for it with effort. He runs the floor well, can defend multiple positions, and rebounds hard on both ends of the floor. He played well for Pro Skills as a fill-in for a tournament or two and gave them a big man that bangs down low, makes it difficult for opposing bigs to establish position, and is where the ball is. He is a player that Regis can use to match size and feel comfortable knowing that he will give them good minutes. He’s a fun player to watch.</p>