2019 Rankings Update: Stock Risers (Part I)
The latest junior class rankings dropped Wednesday night and there was plenty of movement, both up and down, based on the performance of the 2019 prospects throughout their high school season.
It’s always interesting to take a closer look at the players who jumped up in the rankings and the reasons why they did. Devin Ugland has all the latest information on those players in this Stock Risers piece.
Max Agbonkpolo, Santa Margarita
Agbonkpolo enters the top 10 (No. 10) after sitting in the mid-teens before the high school season began. The 6-foot-8 wing displayed and improved overall feel for the game, increased aggressiveness and a ton more confidence which showed in his on-court performance. There’s no denying that Agbonkpolo is one of the most intriguing long-term prospects in SoCal regardless of class.
Kenyon Martin, Jr., Sierra Canyon
Martin rises to No. 12 from the mid-twenties due in large part to him embracing his role on a loaded Sierra Canyon team. Martin was a rebounding, shot blocking and dunking machine during his junior season, but most importantly, he ran the floor with purpose and played to the strengths of his game which was a big reason why the Trailblazers were able to earn the CIF State Open Division championship.
La Jolla Country Day shooting guard Ryan Langborg improved his stock during his junior season.Ryan Langborg, La Jolla Country Day
Langborg’s transformation from a spot shooter into a bona fide scorer is why he’s up to No. 13 in the latest junior class rankings. At 6-4, Langborg proved time and time again that he’s more than a catch-and-shoot guy by improving his mid-range scoring package and understanding how effective his shot fake is at the high school level.
Derrick Carter-Hollinger, Foothills Christian
Carter-Hollinger’s move into the top 25 (No. 23) can be credited to his improved perimeter shooting. The 6-foot-5 wing has always been a guy who has “looked the part” with his athleticism, length and ability to fill the lane wide on the break and finish in transition, but his elevated confidence as a 3-point shooter has opened the rest of the floor for him, mainly when attacking the basket in the half-court setting. Carter-Hollinger also has a ton of potential as a defender at the next level.
Isaiah Pope, Orange Lutheran
Pope had a great individual season for the Lancers, which is why he’s risen to into the top 30 at No. 28. The 6-foot-3 combo guard led Orange Lutheran in scoring at 13.7 points per game, but it’s what he did on the glass (6.1 rebounds) and with the pass (3.5 assists) that showed what he’s capable of from an all-around impact standpoint.