2021: Highest Debuts in the Top 100 (Summer Edition), Part I

<p>The North Carolina rankings for the 2021 class have been updated as the summer grassroots season concludes. Here’s a look at the new faces that made their debut in the Top 100 of North Carolina’s 2021 rankings.</p> <p><strong>#18 [player_tooltip player_id="932089" first="PJ" last="Edwards"] | 6’5 Guard | Team Curry (Liberty Heights)</strong></p> <p>Edwards is a guard that came onto the grassroots scene late, but he made his presence felt in the final two tournaments with Team Curry. He’s a two-way prospect that pressures the ball fullcourt then can turn right around and run the either guard position on the offensive end. He was another player for opponents to worry about in isolation given his strength and ability to get to the paint. He’ll be a backcourt prospect to watch at Liberty Heights alongside [player_tooltip player_id="533518" first="Elijah" last="Jamison"].</p> <p><strong>#24 [player_tooltip player_id="1050530" first="Isaac" last="Farah"] | 6’9 Forward | Team EAT (Liberty Heights)</strong></p> <p>Farah is a versatile forward prospect at 6-foot-9 that can play inside and out. He can rebound the ball and handle on the break and if he gets to the rim, he’ll finish with authority. He uses his size well in all facets of the game to make an impact on both ends. He’ll be another prospect at Liberty Heights due for a big boost in his recruitment. He holds offers already from IUPUI, Tusculum and Limestone College.</p> <p><strong>#38 [player_tooltip player_id="838076" first="Daniel" last="Nixon"] | 6’7 Forward/Wing | Team Durant (Winston-Salem Christian)</strong></p> <p>Nixon is a new face in the state of North Carolina, hailing from the DMV area, and will be a feature prospect on the Winston-Salem Christian rotation in 2020-21. He’s a strong wing prospect that can handle and get to the rim. He spent time at Blair Academy this past season and has since racked up offers from Iowa, Tulsa, Wichita State, Ole Miss, Wake Forest and Georgetown since the pandemic began. </p> <p><strong>#41 [player_tooltip player_id="1006290" first="Jay" last="Mitchell"] | 6’3 Guard/Wing | Basketpoint USA (Forsyth Country Day)</strong></p> <p>Mitchell is an electric guard prospect that looks to make big dunks and big blocks to make his presence felt. He’s a player that looks to do more than score when he’s on the floor and uses his speed and IQ well to make plays on the floor. He’ll be a player to watch at Big Shots Rocky Top this weekend and one to watch in the 2021 class.</p> <p><strong>#45 [player_tooltip player_id="985568" first="Jonathan" last="Kurtas"] | 6’9 Forward/Center | Team Curry (Lake Norman Christian)</strong></p> <p>Kurtas is another stretch-forward prospect that can roam various positions, but he’s a lot more effective from the midrange area and in on the offensive end. He can handle on the perimeter and knock down the 3-ball on occasion, but he’s a prospect that tends to see more success in the post. He’ll be a new face in the Lake Norman Christian rotation that’s due for a boost in his recruitment soon. He holds offers from Denver, Tenn. State, Navy and SIU Edwardsville. </p> <p><strong>#51 [player_tooltip player_id="746999" first="AJ" last="Allenspach"] | 6’9 Forward/Center | Team Curry (Lake Norman Christian)</strong></p> <p>Allenspach is an impact prospect out of South Carolina and should pose as a solid addition to the Lake Norman Christian rotation as he was for Team Curry this summer. He’s able to put the ball on the floor and finish above the rim and knock it down from deep with consistency. He’ll be a burden in the frontcourt alongside [player_tooltip player_id="985568" first="Jonathan" last="Kurtas"], so don’t be surprised if they’re a top frontcourt duo when it’s all said and done in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>#54 [player_tooltip player_id="932146" first="Daylan" last="Askew"] | 6’4 Guard | NC Blazers (Hertford County)</strong></p> <p>Askew exploded onto the grassroots scene for the NC Blazers and showed he’s a three-level scorer that can fill it up with consistency no matter who is in front of him. After averaging 19.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.7 apg and 3.0 spg during his junior season, he followed that up with more of the same, showing he can battle for rebounds, get out on the fastbreak and score it. He took home MVP honors at Big Shots Charleston Summer Classic II while posting 23.3 ppg and eight made 3-pointers. He followed that up the next event (Big Shots Rock the Rock) by leading the 17U Orange division in scoring average (26.7 ppg), total points (80) and 3-pointers (13). He’s one to watch in the class.</p> <p><strong>#56 [player_tooltip player_id="721036" first="Elijah" last="Ormiston"] | 6’7 Forward | PSB Elite (Cannon School)</strong></p> <p>Ormiston is no stranger to success given he’s a member of The Cannon School, who just won the 4A NCISAA State Title this past season. He’s a forward with a relentless motor and knack for scoring around the rim. He showed off his ability inside the arc at Big Shots this past summer with All-Star performances, including finishing with 35 points at Carolina Live in one game. He’s got a variety of moves around the rim and creativity to boast when battling on the inside. </p>