Spring Preview: 2021 Sleepers

<p>Spring is right around the corner. With spring comes the transition into grassroots basketball. As we prepare for that transition, here are five 2021 names who could become hot prospects as the picture of this unique recruiting landscape continues to morph. </p> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902030" first="Barry" last="Evans"]</strong></h5> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902030" first="Barry" last="Evans"]</strong> is undoubtedly one of the better long-term prospects still available in this region. While he is still considering a prep into 2022, if someone takes a chance on him in 2021 he would probably be happy to redshirt and get his body right before making the transition into college. He’s a rangy and multifaceted lefty who does all the things you can ask of a wing. Evans is a crafty scorer. He can rebound in or out of his area. He plays with a high motor and is a thoughtful decision-maker with the ball. He has considerable defensive potential because of his length and versatility. </p> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="798692" first="IJ" last="Ezuma"]</strong></h5> <p>Hargrave’s man in the middle,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="798692" first="IJ" last="Ezuma"]</strong>, remains criminally under-recruited. With just four scholarship offers that are known to the public, it remains a mystery why more schools aren’t getting involved. His trademark skill is his motor. Ezuma prides himself on outworking those around him. He also has the physical tools, such as size, athleticism, and quickness, to compete at the Division One level. </p> <h5><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/byron-ireland-jr/"><strong>Byron Ireland Jr.</strong></a></h5> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/byron-ireland-jr/">Byron Ireland</a> is enjoying a breakout season of sorts, which makes it even more frustrating that his recruitment is still relatively dormant. He’s playing on the ball a lot more and that transition has been smooth. Ireland’s shot has improved and he’s still getting to the basket at will. He also does his due diligence defensively. </p> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1091481" first="Elijah" last="Kennedy"]</strong></h5> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1091481" first="Elijah" last="Kennedy"]</strong> has established himself as a premier scorer within the state of Virginia. It’s a mystery why more Division One schools aren’t actively pursuing him. At the age of 17, Kennedy is a good athlete whose best basketball is probably still ahead of him. </p> <h5><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957889" first="Anouar" last="Mellouk"]</strong></h5> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957889" first="Anouar" last="Mellouk"]</strong> fits the modern style of basketball quite well. He can space the floor, run in transition, and guard multiple positions. Mellouk is a high-flyer with a strong work rate. He enjoyed a productive year at FUMA during which he reinforced his credentials as a D1 prospect. </p>