2021 Rankings Update: Stock Raisers
With a fresh new look to our class of 2021 player rankings in SoCal, it’s time to dig in and break down the key themes to come out of the junior class reboot. First we’ll take a look at the…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith a fresh new look to our class of 2021 player rankings in SoCal, it’s time to dig in and break down the key themes to come out of the junior class reboot. First we’ll take a look at the prospects whose performances this season catapulted them up the list and onto the radars of college programs. Stay tuned for more coverage of our 2021 rankings!
Tyler Powell Tyler Powell 6'5" | SF Ribet Academy | 2021 State #130 Nation CA-S , Ribet Academy – The 6-foot-5 wing didn’t make a massive jump, moving from the mid-teens to No. 7. His move was predicated on how he impacted winning at the highest level and how those intangibles he brings to the high school game translate to the next level. Powell has always been known as a power finisher in transition, but this season he showed that he’s worked hard on his three-point stroke. Powell is a multi-positional defender and very good offensive and defensive rebounder for his size and position. Powell helped Ribet Academy win the CIF Southern Section Division 2A title.
Jalen Pitre Jalen Pitre 6'8" | SF Long Beach Poly | 2021 State CA-S , Long Beach Poly – The 6-foot-7 wing, who made the move over from Gahr to Long Beach Poly after the high school season ended, had a breakout junior season at Gahr where he showed not only that he’s one of the highest upside prospects in the class, but that his skill and production are coming along quickly. The lefty uses his size, strength and athleticism to rebound the defensive glass, push the break and finish around the basket both above the rim and through contact. One of Pitre’s best attributes is his ability to rebound on both ends of the floor. All of those things considered, to go along with him being young for his class, are why Pitre made the jump into the top 15.
David Elliot IV, Birmingham – Elliot jumped from the mid-30’s range into the top 20 because of how dynamic a scorer he proved to be this season. The 6-foot-2 combo guard created scoring opportunities for himself in transition and half-court settings, whether it was going coast-to-coast for a paint bucket or pulling up from three-point range, Elliot was a reliable and dynamic scorer for the Patriots. While Elliot’s feel as a primary ball-handler is to score, he showed flashes of playmaking skills that can be built upon.
Harold Yu Harold Yu 7'3" | C Sierra Canyon | 2021 State CA-S , Sierra Canyon – The 7-foot-3 center went from being a bench guy playing limited minutes to a productive starter on a CIF Southern Section Open Division championship team. Yu worked himself into better shape, which allowed him to stay on the floor for longer stretches of the game, and translated into more offensive touches and a bigger role as a rim protector. While he’s still not a big time vertical athlete or legitimate shot blocker, Yu’s improved mobility and presence alone deter would-be drivers from trying to probe the paint.
Jeremiah Davis Jeremiah Davis 6'3" | SG Fountain Valley | 2021 State CA-S , Fountain Valley – The 6-foot-3 shooting guard was the heart and soul behind the Barons’ historic run to the CIF Southern Section Division 3A semifinals. Davis averaged better than 22 points per game during Sunset Conference play and was named to the Orange County Register’s All-County Third-Team. Davis is an elite finisher around the basket and consistent mid-range shooter, which helped him rise from No. 57 to No. 42.