Austin Rankings: 2021 Forwards Pt. 1 (#16-25)
This is Part 1 (#16-25) of the Austin Rankings Series that dives deep into the top 25 small forwards, power forwards, and centers in the 2021 class from the Austin-Metroplex and surrounding areas. Here is the Austin Rankings Series:…
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Continue ReadingThis is Part 1 (#16-25) of the Austin Rankings Series that dives deep into the top 25 small forwards, power forwards, and centers in the 2021 class from the Austin-Metroplex and surrounding areas.
Here is the Austin Rankings Series: 2021 Forwards #16-25:
#16 – Michael Robertson | 6-3 SF | Akins
Robertson is a true scoring weapon with the ability to put points up on the scoreboard in a variety of ways. He is a sharpshooter with a quick release and showed in his hudl tape that he can hit step-back shots with pressure in his face. He is a good catch-and-shoot three-point shooter. Robertson has a good first step to the basket and shows the ability to drive past his defenders to get the rim. He does a really good job as a drive-and-dish passer. Robertson is fluid in his movements and shows a high basketball IQ with his court vision and decision making.
#17 – Jordan Foster | 6-3 SF | Pflugerville
An elite defender for the Panthers, Foster’s highlights are filled with multi-steal and block performances during his junior season. Foster is fantastic with help defense and is quick to use his hands to create turnovers and intercept balls in passing lanes. On offense, Foster is one of Pflugerville’s top scoring threats. He does a great job of scoring in transition and finishing at the rim, and he has the ability to hit the open three in their half-court offense.
#18 – Larson Featherstone | 6-4 SF | Round Rock
Featherstone is physically mature for his age and plays with great strength on the court. In his hudl tapes, he explodes toward the basket and does a great job of finishing at the rim. On offense, he scores most of his points in the low post and has several different moves under the basket. Plays with great hustle and anticipation on defense, creating turnovers off steals, blocked shots, and fighting for loose balls. He also has great leaping ability and timing when gobbling up rebounds. Featherstone is one to watch this upcoming season as he could see a climb up the rankings.
#19 – Miguel Mantilla | 6-5 C | Lake Travis
Mantilla was a force down low for the Cavaliers during his junior season, specializing in blocked shots and bringing down boards. He plays with good physicality in the paint and is strong when going up towards the rim from the low post. His top performance of the season came in the form of a double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) against a very talented San Antonio Wagner team.
#20 – Nijah Collier | 6-3 PF | Lehman
An athletically gifted player, Collier’s explosiveness and bounce stand out when you watch him on the hardwood. Despite his 6’3″ height for the power forward position, Collier plays tall in the low post. Collier is a great defender in the paint and can sky above the rim for blocks. Plays with great effort on both sides of the ball, and does not back down to taller opponents. Is a powerful dunker when given the opportunity on offense.
#21 – Thomas Oates | 6-5 PF | Leander Rouse
Oates, who can play either small or power forward, enjoyed a solid junior season averaging 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game for Rouse. From the floor he shot 49%, including 57% from 2-point range, all while showing he can hit the occasional three-point shot. Oates is a player still growing into his frame, but possesses good movement skills and runs the floor very well. In his hudl tapes, he shows his explosiveness with multiple fast breaks opportunities that he finishes with two-handed dunks.
#22 – Jackson Deutsch | 6-6 PF | Hays
A sleeper on the list, Deutsch has the potential to be a breakout candidate during his senior season at Hays. Standing at 6’6″ with a long frame, Deutsch can be a matchup nightmare in the paint as he showed in limited action with his mid-range shooting ability and shot-blocking skills on defense. With quick and agile feet, he also has the ability to switch out on the perimeter and can play a pivotal role in the pick-and-roll game. An 18 point performance against Regents School of Austin last season is a good example of his potential when given extended playing time, which is expected during his senior year.
#23 – Isaak Meredith | 6-5 SF | Austin Travis
A sharpshooter from three-point territory, Meredith excelled as a deep-range scoring threat while playing just about every position this past season for the Rebels. Tall and with long arms, he is able to get his shot up in a variety of ways and constantly showed that he can hit from deep with a hand in his face. Meredith also uses his size to his advantage in the mid-range and near the rim when the ball is in his hands.
#24 – Edward Johnson II | 6-4 SF | McCallum
Johnson II is the definition of a high-effort, all-out hustle player who does most of his damage on the boards and on defense. Averaging 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block per game, Johnson II was a spark plug for the Knights during his junior campaign. With a long wing-span, Johnson II does a good job of disrupting opponent’s shots and intercepting passing lanes. On offense, he is just scratching the surface of his potential. Earned All-District 25-5A Honorable Mention.
#25 – Luke Williams | 6-6 C | Cedar Park
A mammoth down in the paint for the Timberwolves, Williams is one of a handful of players in the Austin-Metroplex that has the size and frame to play the center position. Williams is a dual-sport star for Cedar Park, as he also excels on the gridiron and is one of the top offensive linemen in the area. Entering his senior season Williams is expected to play a key role in the front-court for a talented Cedar Park squad.