2021 Rankings Update: Let’s take a look at the bigs

<p>The class of 2021 rankings has been updated, and there is plenty of movement throughout the entire list. We added the most players that we have ever had and did our most thorough observations to choose what we deem to be our most thought-out rankings yet. This season was a bit different as it was condensed, so we took summer ball and mixed it with what we were able to see throughout the season as well. Here’s who we have as the top bigs in the state and what makes them special. </p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916957" first="Nolan" last="Marold"] – ThunderRidge</strong></span></h2> <p>Marold has been a player that has been highly ranked and coveted since his freshman season as the big man is a four-year varsity player that has made an impact since the moment that he stepped into high school. Marold has always had excellent size but has seen his game grow in each season. Different layers have been opened, and in his senior season, it all came together as he was the Grizzlies leading scorer and rebounder at 13.1 points and 7.5 rebounds a game and the state championship MVP. Marold put up 17 points, and 14 rebounds as his team was named the 5A state champs and road his back this year along the way. Marold is a hardworking big man who crashes the boards, sets hard screens with his large frame, and uses his physicality to finish over smaller defenders. He competes hard down low on the defensive end and does not allow open shots at the rim. He has a great motor and continues to get better. Marold has gotten attention to play at the next level but has not yet decided, so the No. 13 player in the class is one of the best-unsigned seniors in the state.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916990" first="Trey" last="Edmonds"] – George Washington</strong></span></h2> <p>The Patriots made another state championship push as they had solid guard play and one of the best frontcourts in the state, with Edmonds leading the way. Edmonds has been a consistent force for the Patriots, especially these last two seasons, and in his senior year displayed the ability to dominate at times. Edmonds was GW’s most important player IMO this season as he created mismatches. His dives to the rim created gravity for guards to navigate. He also gave his team extra scoring opportunities with his activity and size. Edmonds is a glass cleaning big that is always moving, forces the double team, and also progressed as a finisher on the block. He averaged 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game for the year. In the playoffs, he set new career-highs in rebounds for three straight games of 14, 15, and 10 rebounds on the championship push and has a contagious energy. The 6’7 comes in at the No. 2 Center in the class and will certainly play at the next level. Now it is about deciding on the best fit.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916964" first="Gino" last="Corridori"] – Dakota Ridge</strong></span></h2> <p>Corridori is a player that has been effective every single time that he has touched the floor for the past few seasons. He went through an injury and got back to playing productive ball upon his return, and it is because he is a versatile big with excellent footwork, creates mismatches on the block, and can score in bunches. Corridori uses all of his 6’8 frame to the best of his ability and has one of the best down-low, back-to-the-basket games. He’s one of the only big men in the state shooting hook shots, feels double teams and finishes, and also plays above the rim. Corridori had multiple highlight dunks this season, which shows his athleticism, and with the ball flowing through him, this season showed that he could score with ease. Corridori averaged 17.6 points and 6.9 rebounds a game and also stepped up defensively. He blocked 2.6 shots a game and patrolled the paint to the best of his ability. Corridori had a high of 29 points and 9 rebounds and finished the season with multiple games of 20+ points. He committed to Western Colorado, which I feel is great for him, and he comes in at the No. 3 center in the class.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965740" first="Adrian" last="Price"] – Eaglecrest</strong></span></h2> <p>Price is a player whose impact goes beyond the scoreboard, and he has so many positives to his game that you can build on. Price has one of the longest wingspans in the entire state, which allows him to play bigger than his 6’6 frame. Price is a rim-protecting big that moves his feet well, rebounds in bunches, and is a relentless rebounder. Price puts a body on a defender on every possession and embraces physicality. He has a great motor, runs the floor well, and goes right up with the ball when he gets it. Price has great hand-eye coordination as he locates passes and finishes and will also give you an occasional athletic explosion dunk. With a loaded frontcourt with size, Price made it a point to fit in in different ways this season. Price was a great 1-2 punch and created plenty of high-low baskets. He makes the extra pass, sets hard screens and rolls with a purpose, and finishes around the rim. Price cannot be moved defensively, keeps his hands high, and makes the right play. He averaged 9.6 points, and 5.5 rebounds a game, mostly on clean-up baskets, and that activity helped Eaglecrest pick up wins and make a playoff push as well. Price is the no. 4 Center in the state and will continue his career at Colorado College next season.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916961" first="Greg" last="Gerhardt"] – Monarch</strong></span></h2> <p>Gerhardt’s size and ability to space the floor make him a unique prospect. He has positives to his game that you cannot teach, like a 7-foot wingspan, and how he can be used offensively sets him apart. Typically when you see a 6’10 player, you expect him to play on the block and a back-to-the-basket game, but with Gerhardt, it is a bit different. He can stay out on the perimeter and is utilized as a pick and pop option. Gerhardt shoots the 3-ball consistently and can be moved around on the perimeter, which forces opposing big men away from the basket. Gerhardt is a knockdown shooter that also grabs rebounds, keeps the ball high, and also can dribble a tad bit to create space. For Monarch this season, he averaged 9.5 points and 5.2 rebounds a game while trying to be implemented correctly into the offense. He’s a player that continues to add pieces, will only get better, and has a high ceiling. He comes in at the no. 5 center in the class.</p>