Early Season Sophomore Stock Risers
The season is less than a month old but most teams are closing in on the 1/3 of the season mark with several games under their belts. The Sophomore class is very strong and only keeps getting better as we…
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Continue ReadingThe season is less than a month old but most teams are closing in on the 1/3 of the season mark with several games under their belts. The Sophomore class is very strong and only keeps getting better as we uncover more prospects as time goes along. Here are some of the state’s biggest stock risers in the 2021 class.
- Kelly Niece, Simon Kenton – There is no doubt that Kelly is a Top 10 player in the class but he continues to show he could be as high as top 3. Kelly is averaging 29.3 points per game with 62/64/85 shooting splits while leading Simon Kenton to a 6-0 start. Niece is crafty and an excellent finisher who can get past his man. He’s making a case for a big move in the next rankings update.
- JaQuais Franklin, Elizabethtown – The athletic wing is off to a great start to his Sophomore campaign. Averaging 22 points and 6 rebounds per game after being a role player last season, Franklin’s only weakness right now is his perimeter shooting. JaQuais is only shooting 25% from three for the season. If he can raise that over the rest of the season, watch out!
- Kale Gaither, Union County – Gaither started in our 2021 rankings all the way up at 3rd but slid after a rough end to his season and an AAU season where he struggled to get on the court for a top team. Kale has rebounded to start his second season. He’s averaging 25 points and 4 rebounds for a team that’s off to a promising 4-2 start.
- Noah Dumas, McCracken County – Coming off a Freshman season as a role player for the Mustangs, Dumas is averaging 11 points per game while running the McCracken offense. Noah is struggling with some low shooting numbers from the floor but he is leading the entire state in free throw percentage. Just last night the 6’0 point guard scored over 30 points for what I can only assume is the first time in his career.
- Devin Perry, Central – Quickly becoming one of my favorite players in the class, Perry is a heady floor general with a knack for making the right pass at the right time. Perry is averaging just shy of 13 points per game on the year but his ability to run an offense and lead a team as a Sophomore is impressive. He’s not putting up the most impressive shooting numbers but Devin is due for a big leap up the rankings with the next update.
- Colby Napier, Knott County Central – Coming off a freshman year where he played a bench role for Knott, Napier has seen a huge boost in production as a Sophomore. He is leading the Patriots in scoring at 15.8 points per game while shooting 42% from three. Colby has good size for the position and looks to be on the path to being a big time scorer for Knott over the next three seasons.