Reason for the Ranking (Top 10)
Gobble up the updated Class of 2021 rankings!! Rankings are subjective and PrepHoops.com ranks purely upon potential and where the player will be at their basketball peak. Production factors in only when helping prove the potential is greater or lesser. Why did we rank these guys? Why are they at this spot? Take a look at five Class of 2021 prospects and learn a little about their reputation.
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#6 Grant Slatten Grant Slatten 6'5" | SG White County | 2021 State TN (White County)
Slatten will rightfully be remembered as the greatest player in White County High School’s history. Since it was founded in 1909, White County High never housed a more prolific scorer and it is difficult to imagine it ever will…unless the scoring structure of the sport is altered.
Slatten amassed a dizzying 2758 career points for White County. You know the best statistical performance you ever witnessed in person? Grant averaged that statistical explosion throughout. His points per game of 35+ reads as absurd as it was demoralizing to his helpless defenders. He set the single-game scoring record for White County High School with 59 points in a single game. That same night Grant set the career scoring record for his school, a record he continued to change every game with consistently astonishing scoring. Honors earned include: District 6AAA Player of the Year, All-District Tournament, All-Region Tournament, AAA Mr. Basketball Finalist. Slatten is signed to SEC school Ole Miss. According to Grant’s father Bruce Slatten, Grant is now 6’6.25″ tall.
“He probably had about 60-70 dunks this year,” shared father Bruce Slatten. “He dunked in every game multiple times except for maybe 3 or 4 games. He had some doozy’s too. He battled. He had to miss a game or two when he rolled an ankle in January. Toward the end of January he kind of favored that ankle. He was still scoring, but it wasn’t as explosive as it was. He finally got it back. He had 37 points against M.B.A.”
#7 Jerrell Colbert Jerrell Colbert 6'10" | C Houston | 2021 State #56 Nation TN (Houston)
Of this entire top 10, Colbert is definitely the furthest from his potential peak. The size for position is incredible and there are certainly some rare, physical gifts. Colbert can finish around the rim and plays with decent rim-protecting instincts. He does not currently have good timing as a rebounder. The ball often comes off the rim before he gets off the deck and, facing Arlington specifically, other great athletes rebounded over him when it was within his rebounding area. Colbert is a unique talent, the kind Tennessee does not see often. He is also far from a refined prospect. Colbert will need to continue his development as he begins next fall at LSU.
#8 Jaylen Pegues Jaylen Pegues 6'2" | PG Hillsboro | 2021 State TN (Hillsboro)
Pegues started his freshman year for a talented yet largely unsuccessful Hillsboro team. He thrived on the AAU circuit with WHBH along the way and vaulted Hillsboro to the Class AAA 2020 State Tournament. Though Co-Vid had other plans for that event, the amazing game-winners by Pegues to get HHS there cemented his legacy in middle Tennessee.
By spring 2020 Pegues firmly established himself as the best point guard in middle Tennessee, possibly the entire state after Kennedy Chandler. Kennedy Chandler moved to Sunrise Christian (KS) and Kameron Jones Kameron Jones 6'4" | PG ECS | 2021 State #177 Nation TN committed to Marquette. Jones will play point guard in college and probably classifies as a point guard now. Both are ranked in the top 10 statewide and both are excellent high school guards. It is a fun and not outrageous debate which is a better college prospect. Pegues is signed to Furman University.
#9 Eric Rivers Eric Rivers 6'1" | PG McCallie | 2021 State TN (McCallie)
Eric Rivers Eric Rivers 6'1" | PG McCallie | 2021 State TN is signed to the University of Memphis for football. This is not a ranking reflective of his football future or potential. Eric Rivers Eric Rivers 6'1" | PG McCallie | 2021 State TN is a top 10 college prospect as a basketball player. First, his quickness is absurd, unfair even. Rivers’ basketball game is good enough to play in the Conference U.S.A. His strengths would be handling pressure, fullcourt or halfcourt, penetrating, dishing, and transition defense. That assessment neglects to mention the intangibles Rivers offers: poise, awareness, confidence, bravery.
#10 Matthew Sells Matthew Sells 6'3" | SG Livingston Academy | 2021 State TN *Livingston Academy)
Matthew Sells Matthew Sells 6'3" | SG Livingston Academy | 2021 State TN started and dominated all four seasons for Livingston Academy. Sells helped his squad advance to state in his freshman season. Over the course of his illustrious career Sells scored 2,672 points. He scored 52 points in a single game late February against Cumberland County. Sells was and will be for Lee University a versatile, ofttimes prolific scorer. There is nuance and creativity to his game.
Peruse the complete 2021 rankings.
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