Updated 2022 Rankings: Available Small College Prospects

<p>This past Monday, our updated rankings for the 2022 class went live and as usual, we will be flooding the page with content surrounding the update. For this piece, I’ll be taking a look at the available seniors who would fare well at the small college level. This could range from Division II, Division III, JuCo or NAIA.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Aidan-Mess.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1194829" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Aidan-Mess-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1110551" first="Aidan" last="Mess"] | Mount St. Joe</strong></span></p> <p><em>Ranking: No. 22</em></p> <p>Mess is a 6-foot-7 forward with an excellent motor and played a significant role for the Gaels as they swept the MIAA and BCL. He’s the type of player who can fill the role as a guy who works his tail off on the glass at both ends, alters shots in the paint and is efficient with his looks inside. Mess has shown glimpses of being able to knock down 15-footers in rhythm and can cash in on three’s with enough time and space. I think he could be a steal for a program at the Division III level and by the time he’s an upperclassman, become an all-conference type of talent.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Payne-Jaylin-Head-Shot.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1241149" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Payne-Jaylin-Head-Shot-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1277426" first="Jaylin" last="Payne"] | Eleanor Roosevelt</strong></span></p> <p><em>Ranking: No. 55</em></p> <p>Payne was the inside presence for the Raiders as they made their Class 4A state title run. The 6-foot-7 forward comes with plus length and some intriguing bounce that helps him finish over the rim inside with regularity. He plays with consistent effort and when I saw him play in the 4A semifinals against Parkville, was effective defending ball-screen scenarios as he could hold his own on the perimeter until his teammate recovered before sprinting back to his man rolling to the rim. He also shows sound timing on blocking shots even in last second rotations.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1305160" first="Myles" last="McDuffie"] | Lake Clifton</strong></span></p> <p><em>Ranking: No. 77</em></p> <p>McDuffie is a player that I got on late this season, but his style, approach and skill set all confirmed that he could be a great grab at the Division II level. He was a staple for the Lakers this season as they captured the Class 1A state title thanks to his scoring prowess as a slasher and his gritty defensive mindset. He’s a 6-foot-2 combo guard that love to get downhill and finish at the rim. He has a strong frame that can assist him finishing through contact. At Lake Clifton, there’s no option to play anything but intense, pressure defense and McDuffie fit that bill effectively. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Screen-Shot-2021-03-10-at-1.48.26-AM.png"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1147695" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Screen-Shot-2021-03-10-at-1.48.26-AM-300x226.png" alt="" width="300" height="226" /></a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="904678" first="Ifanieye" last="Lewis"] | Eleanor Roosevelt</strong></span></p> <p><em>Ranking: No. 81</em></p> <p>Lewis was another prospect who really impressed me when I caught Roosevelt in action this season. He’s a 6-foot-1 guard who is extremely shifty and can get into the lane on a consistent basis and uses plenty of craft on his deliveries to open teammates. Lewis plays with a certain swagger to him that flows through his guys and could develop into a really productive guard at the small college level in my opinion. He’s also been a part of a Roosevelt program that is used to keeping a high standard when it comes to winning, which is extremely important.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1215189" first="Taion" last="Robinson"] | St. Frances</strong></span></p> <p><em>Ranking: No. 110</em></p> <p>Robinson is a name that not many are aware of, but could be a nice addition for a JuCo program as a low-maintenance, smaller forward who knows how to contribute in a role on a winning team. He’s 6-foot-3, but his athleticism helps him play much bigger than his listed height. He’s an explosive finisher in the open floor and can rise up over defenders when roaming along the dunker’s spot as guard penetrate and dish. Robinson can rebound out of his area, contest shots at the rim and defend multiple positions.</p>