2021 Rankings: Updated Top 10
With this rankings update, there has been a lot of movement in the 2021 class but one constant remains. Zion Harmon changes high schools every 12 months but he doesn’t move from #1 in our rankings. Past the top spot, we have a new number two and a lot of movement inside the top 10. Here’s a breakdown of our new top ten.
Zion Harmon, Marshall County (Brad Beal Elite 17u) – Harmon is one of the top recruits in the country in the 2021 class and already holds an impressive list of scholarship offers from high major schools. Harmon is a skilled passer and shooter who makes up for his lack of size with a skill level that is through the roof. The obvious red flags with Harmon are that he is on his 4th high school in 4 years after moving from Tennessee to Bowling Green to Adair County and now to Marshall County. But those moves don’t affect his abilities on the court where Zion is the top 2021 in Kentucky and one of the best rising sophomores in the country.
Darrius Washington, Fern Creek (G3 Grind) – Washington moves way up the rankings to second with this update. With the development of his game and his suddenly college ready body, Darrius is establishing himself as a top prospect in 2021 and its not far fetched to believe he could be a top 100 prospect in the country as his game develops. Darrius keeps getting better and should be an impact player in Louisville this upcoming season after mainly being a role player on the 6th region champions a year ago.
Trey James, Sheldon Clark (Manimal Elite 17u) – James slips a spot to third after getting passed by Washington. Trey is big and he’s better as a defender than an offensive player right now. In a recent 5 game stretch with Manimal Elite he only took 10 shots for the entire tournament. As big as he is, Trey has to learn how to bully defenders and find a mean streak. James has all the size and skill college coaches look for but needs to become more assertive with his offense as he enters his sophomore season. If Trey reaches his potential he is going to be more than capable of being a top 100 recruit nationally thanks to his size and ability.
Ben Johnson, Lexington Catholic (M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs) – Johnson, like his two brothers before him, is a high scoring guard with Division 1 college basketball in his future. When Ben gets hot, he is capable of scoring 30+ and filling up the stat sheet in a hurry. Johnson’s college future depends on how much he’ll grow. He’s a combo guard right now but his highest potential is likely playing off the ball as a big time shooter who can also put the ball on the floor. Johnson is likely to be the highest scoring sophomore in the city of Lexington this year and could be the best college prospect in the city.
Scotty Draud, Beechwood (Louisville Magic) – Draud is another prospect who is a no brainer future D1 player. Draud is already 6’5 and could still grow another inch or two over the next couple of years. When I saw Draud this winter he had some issues with his shot mechanics but he seemed to get over that and should be primed for a huge sophomore campaign at Beechwood as he looks to be one of the top scorers in the 9th region after averaging 21 points per game as a freshman. As Scotty develops his game and starts hitting the weights, his best basketball is ahead of him.
Kelly Niece, Simon Kenton (Indiana Elite 16u) – Kelly is highly skilled and really knows how to score the ball at every level. He plays the point for Simon Kenton but will need to continue to improve as a ball handler to play the point in college. Niece would benefit from a growth spurt that would allow him to move off the ball or at least as a combo guard in college. Kelly definitely projects as a D1 player with his scoring ability and toughness.
Jaden Rogers, Fern Creek (G3 Grind) – Probably my favorite pure point guard in the class, Rogers is finally starting to play with the edge needed to be a point guard in Louisville. Jaden is super skilled and makes the right reads with the ball in his hands. As he keeps growing and developing (and lifting weights) he projects to be a mid major D1 point guard. His aggression level can keep going up and battling every night in Louisville this winter should help Jaden’s game develop.
Dashawn Jackson, Frederick Douglass (Manimal Elite) – Dashawn is an electric player who just keeps improving. Jackson is a great catch and shoot player who can also get to the rim and finish through contact. Jackson is having a strong AAU season with Manimal and is going to have the ball in his hands a lot this winter with Douglass. If Jackson continues to grow, his ceiling is higher than most in the class.
Isaiah Mason, Bowling Green (Manimal Elite) – Another member of Manimal with a really high ceiling, Mason has a chance to be the next great player to come through 4th region powerhouse Bowling Green. Isaiah is at his best getting downhill as a driver and attacking the rim. Isaiah has room to improve as a shooter and tighten his handle but I’ve been told he’s a hard worker who puts a lot of time in the gym. As long as Mason keep working, he’s going to find plenty of college suitors before his time in Bowling Green is done.
KJ Crump, University Heights (Manimal Elite) – KJ is super skilled, fearless and tough. He’s a floor general who makes the right plays with the ball and has shown an ability to score against much larger defenders. Part of one of the most exciting backcourts in the state along with KyKy Tandy, Crump will look to lead the Blazers back to the All A in Richmond in February and to Rupp Arena in March. Look for KJ to be one of the top players in the second region for the next 3 seasons.