Top 2021 Post Prospects
We close out our rankings stories on the class of 2021 with the top power forwards and centers in the class. It is a pretty thin group at this stage, but does have some potential star power at the top!
Chris Hodges (Shaumburg)
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Overall Ranking: #5
Hodges is the top big man in the state of Illinois in the 2021 class. The area that he excels at the most right now is hitting the glass. The Schaumburg center has a strong body and snatches rebounds out of the air. Does a nice job on both ends crashing the boards and getting second chance opportunities. Efficient with his touches on the block. Athleticism showed strides in July.
Grant Newell (Whitney Young)
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Overall Ranking: #7
Newell definitely proved a lot to PHI throughout the last two weeks of the July. He has size at 6’6” with long arms. Should grow several more inches over the next couple years. Skill level is very intriguing finishing around the hoop with both hands and had his jumper working at about as good of a clip as we have seen in his career. Connected from mid-range over and over. Also stretched it to three. Runs the floor and defensively has potential with his mobility. Has combo forward skills and could eventually move to the three spot.
Scotty Ebube (Mundelein)
Travel Team: Kessel Heat
Overall Ranking: #12
Ebube was a grown man playing for Kessel Heat 15U and 16U in July. He is a beast rebounder that has timing for where they are coming off the rim and man does this kid go after them! Super aggressive mauling opponents on the offensive glass for put backs. Seals well in the high/low game. Defensive presence with his raw strength and shot blocking inside.
Ashawn Burbridge (Joliet West)
Travel Team: Illinois T-Wolves
Overall Ranking: #19
Burbridge is a 6’4” post from Joliet West that has broad shoulders, length, and projectability where he should grow significantly more. The first thing that stands out is how well he rebounds the basketball. He is a beast with his ability to high point and just having an overall feel for where it is coming off the glass. Finishes well around the hoop converting and-1 opportunities. He passes it extremely well on the interior dishing off quick passes for buckets. Touch on short jumpers. Shot blocking presence as well. If this kid grows he could be a force! If not he will need to show more perimeter game.
F Kevin Bozeman (Downers Grove North)
Travel Team: Breakaway
Overall Ranking: #22
Despite not starting for Breakaway 15U during July we believe that Bozeman was the best prospect on that team. It showed through again when we watched him workout in the fall. So projectable at 6’5” with long arms. Definitely could see him growing several more inches. Frame to add strength as well. He handles the ball well for his size and runs the floor so fluidly being the first one down the court consistently. Feathery touch as a shooter.
Brian Mathews (DePaul Prep)
Travel Team: All-In
Overall Ranking: #23
We haven’t seen this young post in a while and were impressed with the strength he has added on to his frame when we saw him at the West Coast Academic Camp. Has a nice combination of height and strength already. Showed mobility and a soft touch around the hoop to score regularly. Great area rebounder with strong hands around the hoop.
Kyle Wilson (Loyola)
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Overall Ranking: #39
Wilson is a wide bodied 6’6” post from Loyola. The post is a quality area rebounder and powerful finishing around the hoop. Buries his man deep in the post. One to track especially if he grows.
Phillip Holmes (Simeon)
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Overall Ranking: #40
Holmes is a bouncy four man that is pretty raw right now, but he has a lot of upside. Has the projectability and athleticism that you have to like early in the process. Simeon will need some size this year and we could see him coming off the bench to provide some of that.
C Luke Braman (Roanoke Benson)
Travel Team: SI Select
Overall Ranking: #41
Country strong 6’8” post that is a willing screener and a very good area rebounder. Can step out on occasion to connect on a mid-range jumper. Showed well at PrepHoops Top 250.
Chad Readey (Homewood Flossmoor)
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Overall Ranking: #49
Readey is a 6’7” post from Homewood Flossmoor. Good size and length with a frame that he should continue to add strength on as his career progresses. Contributes on the glass and can hit a mid-range jumper. Did not see him in July. We are told he was focusing on baseball.
Caleb Applebey (Mt. Carmel)
Travel Team: EG10
Overall Ranking: #50
This southern Illinois post is a physically built big man that rebounds in area and can shoot short jumpers. Strong around the hoop. Has some developmental upside.
Max Wedding (Quincy Notre Dame)
Travel Team: Quad City Elite
Overall Ranking: #51
Wedding is a 6’7” center from Quincy Notre Dame that made a name for himself during July with QCE. Nice size and the lefty is a quality rebounder and post defender at a young age with time to develop offensively.