2021 Rankings Update: Stock Boosters Throughout the Year

<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 stock boosters. </p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Eddie Speller Jr. – Lewis-Palmer</strong></span></h2> <p>Speller Jr. is a player that has been an under-the-radar standout for the past couple of seasons, but it was undeniable of what kind of player that he is that could truly impact the game. Speller Jr. was the best player and most consistent for one of the top teams in 4A this year. He is a strong force down low that plays above his size and is a relentless rebounder. Speller Jr. scored in double figures in all but one game on the season as he averaged a team-high 17.3 points and 8.2 rebounds a game. Speller Jr. kept plays alive with his willingness to attack the boards, outworked the opposition, and went up with the ball once he got it. Speller Jr. works hard for position, has soft touch around the rim, and uses all of his 6’5 frame. He protected the paint, showed up on both ends of the court in big games, and did all that he could to give his team some wins. He jumps up 20 spots from our last rankings and is the No. 8 PF in a strong big man class.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965763" first="Braden" last="Boley"] – Chaparral</strong></span></h2> <p>Boley is my pick for the best role player in the class as he has a great understanding and feel for the game and makes high IQ plays that leads to winning. The 6’3 combo-guard does plenty of positives that go under the radar but allows his team to flow as he plays within himself. Rather it is a smart cut, screen, and pop or correctly filling the lanes, Boley finds a way to make it happen. Boley moves without the ball, is one of the best positional rebounders, and also is an interchangeable defender that can defend multiple positions. He made a seamless switch from a new school and was perfectly implemented into being a focal point of the offense, and that is because he does so many things right. Boley averaged 11.1 points and 5.9 rebounds a game but was also a facilitator that generated easy points for Chaparral. Boley makes a 32-player improvement in our latest ranking and is the No. 11 ranked small forward in the class.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="917002" first="Tyler" last="Edwards"] – Rampart</strong></span></h2> <p>Edwards is a player that we knew a bit about, but he dropped down in our last rankings due to an injury. With a full year under his belt, he put everyone back on notice that he is quite the player. Edwards got it done this season and had Rampart playing a highly entertaining brand of basketball. He’s a natural scorer that only has to see one go in before he thinks that he’s hot, plays both on and off of the ball, and also is a crafty finisher inside. When Edwards’ 3-pointer is falling, he is a difficult cover, and when it is not, he is still going to find a way to get to his spots. He averaged a team-high 16.1 points a game this year and made the move to being around 140 in the last update to the No. 56 player in the class. Huge improvement from him.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1020179" first="Michael" last="Jackson"] – Denver East</strong></span></h2> <p>Jackson made not only a huge jump in the rankings but also in the way that Denver East viewed him as a player. Jackson was on JV a season ago and put in the time and work to elevate his game and reached new heights. Jackson is one of the craftiest players in the state, which makes him difficult to stay in front of him. He’s a smaller player, but an ankle-breaking guard with a tight handle and a natural scorer. Jackson made up the second part of a talented East backcourt and, at times, was the primary ballhandler that made plays happen for the Angels. Jackson does not mind penetrating and kicking, sets his teammates up for easy baskets, and always is looking to score. He has floaters, reverses, and other finishes, which makes this smooth lefty a tough cover for any team. This season he made the jump to varsity and was called upon to step up. He delivered nightly, putting up 7.9 points and just under three rebounds and assists a game. Jackson is a player that can play at the next level and jumps in at the No. 69 player in the class. Nice.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916976" first="Gavin" last="Poxson"] – Legacy</strong></span></h2> <p>Poxson is a player that has consistently shown up for Legacy over the years and has been responsible for adding a few more wins along the way. Poxson is a score-first guard that gets going in bunches, and once he finds his rhythm is difficult to slow down. He has also gotten better over the years, which comes with finding ways to beat double teams and opposing guards' best defenders keying in on you nightly. He still figures out a way to score while also letting the offense flow, playing hard defense as well as gathering up enough energy to lead the way. Poxson averaged 17.3 points and 5.4 rebounds a game with a high of 31 points in his senior season and was a solid-two-way option that was not afraid to take the tough shots. Poxson is a scrappy leader and proven bucket.</p>