2021 Rankings Update: New Additions to the list

<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, we take a look at some new additions to the list that went out with a bang.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1168172" first="Hudson" last="Anderson"] – Colorado Prep</strong></span></h2> <p>Anderson is a player that we have not seen a ton of, but from what we have seen, he is a player with immense upside and can alter the game in many ways. The 6’7 standout is a score-first option that gives his team a bit of everything. He can space the floor with his outside shooting, goes inside and finishes at and above the rim, and plays with a bit of an edge. In situations where he is able to create for himself and iso, he excels as a confident scorer that has the length and speed to create mismatches. Anderson grabs the rebound off the rim and quickly gets the offense going, can put the ball on the floor and create for himself, and is productive in half-court sets. We will have to see a bit more of him before we go all out, but we're thoroughly impressed with what we have seen so far and will be taking a deeper look at him.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1138338" first="Devin" last="Phillio"] – Rangeview</strong></span></h2> <p>Phillio was one of the top surprise standouts on the season as there were many questions centered around Rangeview being able to keep up on their hot streak as a new powerhouse. With the emergence of Phillio in the frontcourt, that was quickly answered as 6’5 pf played well above his size and was an inside presence that demanded attention. Phillio is a glass-cleaning big that you do not have to run plays for, for him to be effective. He protects the paint, runs the floor with his excellent motor, and battles inside. That energy and commitment to defense is contagious and is a big reason that he was named a team captain his senior season. Phillio put up 8.7 points and 7.8 rebounds a game and helped with the flow of the offense. He set hard screens, crashed the boards for baskets, and also made smart-reads when he got the ball in his hands. This is Phillio’s first time being ranked, and we have him at the No. 51 spot in the class, which goes to show you the impact. Phillio will play at Colorado College for the next few seasons and is a perfect fit.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1138285" first="TJ" last="Williams"] – Fairview</strong></span></h2> <p>Williams has been a player that we have followed at Fairview for the past couple of seasons, and it is a travesty that this is the first time that he has been ranked. Williams has been an important piece for the Knights for the past few seasons and has been on varsity since his sophomore season. Williams went from the perfect role player that filled in the gaps and did all of the small things to being the primary ball-handler and initiator of the offense. Williams got the offense going and put teammates in positions to succeed all while having his best season yet offensively. Williams saw his points a game double as he put up 14.4 points a game as he shot an incredible 46% from deep and helped out in the rebounding department. Williams has shifted into more of an all-around player who can play on and off the ball. He is locked in on both sides of the floor, finds gaps and holes in the defense, and can score when called upon. He comes in at the No. 9 shooting guard in the class.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1138347" first="Damajio" last="Merritt"] – Rangeview</strong></span></h2> <p>Merritt was another important piece for a talented Rangeview squad that made them a tough cover for every team in the state. Merritt has excellent size at 6’7, and that length was disruptive for opposing teams. He is a nimble big man with a high motor, and he moves around well on the floor. He protects the paint and alters shots at the rim, runs the floor well, finishes at or above the rim, and is a switchable defender. Merritt plays with great energy and finds a way to get his own off of clean-up basket, rim runners, and high-post extended jumpers. Merritt holds his own down low, has a bit of a back-to-the-basket game but has a great feel and soft touch around the rim. Merritt went from averaging two points a game as an end-of-the-bench option in his junior season to being the focal point of the offense as a senior. He put the work in to be a starter and a big part of the rotation and averaged 11.0 points and 3.5 rebounds a game. He is productive and a low-maintenance player that is impactful and comes in at the No. 6 center in the class.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1139400" first="Josiah" last="Sewell"] – Liberty</strong></span></h2> <p>Sewell is a proven bucket and was part of the 1-2 punch that made Liberty an interesting watch. Sewell turned heads to start the season with 29 points in back-to-back games and did not look back from there. The 6’0 combo-guard scored in double figures in all but one game and was the team's primary ball-handler. Sewell is a go-to scorer that is crafty off of the dribble, can dribble-penetrate, and finds different ways to score. Sewell pushes the pace and controls the tempo as a score-first guard that finds a rhythm. This season he put up 17.2 points a game as he dissected defenses both inside and out. He shot 39% from deep and did everything in his power to pick up a few extra wins for his team. This is the first time he was ranked and comes in at the No. 12 pg in the class.</p>