Class of 2021 Rankings: New Top 5

<p>The class of 2021 rankings have <a href="https://prephoops.com/washington/rankings/2021-rankings/">officially been released</a> and the number one thing that stands out is the updated top five players of the senior class. Kentucky commit Nolan Hickman has moved to Utah to attend national power Wasatch Academy, leaving room for a shakeup in the top five after holding the number two slot for the last year. One player’s performance this Summer also made for some more changes, as well as one new member of the top five!</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Banchero the Clear Number One</strong></span></h4> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="611182" first="Paolo" last="Banchero"] is deserving of every award, ranking and headline that has come his way. The 6’10 power forward out of O’Dea High School holds on to the number one ranking and has clearly put himself into real consideration of being the number one player nationally. Dependent on the rankings site, Banchero is number two or three, but one thing is clear and that is he is every bit as good as anyone in the country as displayed when he outplayed and led his Seattle Rotary team to a win against number 1/2 Patrick Baldwin and his squad. Banchero is headed off the Duke to play for the legendary Coach K following his senior season. *Feature image</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="611183" first="Kaden" last="Perry"] Back At Number Two</strong></span></h4> <p>6’9 center [player_tooltip player_id="611183" first="Kaden" last="Perry"] was dominant in his short time with Seattle Rotary this Summer. He looks healthy, strong and added a bit of versatility to his game that he will continue to grow and expand. Perry looked really comfortable attacking out of the triple threat and making quick and decisive moves from the high post and low block. The soft touch he showed on his 10-12 foot jumper is huge and as he continues to expand his range, it will make him a legitimate contender for the league after Gonzaga. The Battle Ground High School standout has drawn many comparisons to former Gonzaga standout and current NBA player, Brandon Clarke. </p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Mt. Spokane Star Cracks Top Five</strong></span></h4> <p>6’7 small forward [player_tooltip player_id="611190" first="Tyson" last="Degenhart"] (Boise State commit) has been one of the top five steady performers throughout his high school year and he has consistently gotten better. He led Mt. Spokane to the 3A state title game in his sophomore season, falling to O'Dea and Banchero, and he had an even more monstrous individual junior season. His short time with Washington Supreme this Summer showed his steady playing style dominant inside of 18 feet and rebounding at a high level. He has a soft touch on the jumper and his handle is steadily getting better too. Degenhart has spent multiple years at the number six spot and now makes the jump to the number four position for his dominance at the high school level, great Summer sessions and standout performances on numerous occasions, including his 30-15 performance against a loaded Eastside Catholic team. </p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Grant and Nowell Round Out Top Five</strong></span></h4> <p>6’9 power forward [player_tooltip player_id="611188" first="Jackson" last="Grant"] checks in at number three and 6’5 small forward [player_tooltip player_id="843715" first="Shane" last="Nowell"] rounds out the final slot in the top five rankings for the 2021 class in Washington. Grant is a highly skilled 4-man that can hit the three, finish above the rim and block shots at a high rate. The Olympia High School star is headed to the University of Washington. Nowell is still open with his recruitment with some believing he will land with Head Coach Sean Miller at the University of Arizona and others believing he will follow in his brother’s foot steps and stay home to play for Head Coach Mike Hopkins at the University of Washington. The lefty wing is strong, agile and gotten very good at creating his own shot off the bounce. </p>