2021 Rankings Breakdown
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We are getting ready for the state playoffs to start in Georgia and tons of sophomore have been big pieces for their teams this winter. Rankings have not been updated since before games started in November so there has been a lot of movement throughout. To see the full rankings, click here.
The Top
Prior to the start of the season, Frankie Anselem and Bretner Mutombo held the top two spots in the 2021 rankings. 3 months later, Chance Moore and Jabari Smith have jumped them and are now at the #1 and #2 spots. Moore took advantage of the stage at Holiday Hoopsgiving early on in the season, impressing many with his unique scoring ability off the dribble and garnering national attention. Smith has had a very productive season for Top 4A team Sandy Creek. His touch and shooting ability at 6’8” is dangerous and he has become more assertive this year. Matt Cleveland is at #5 now and he could easily find himself in the top 3 with a big spring. Cambridge just won their region championship and Cleveland received 1st team All-Region honors. Both AJ White and Logan Turner have inserted themselves into the Top 10 at #8 and #9 after productive regular seasons in the ultra-competitive Region 7-AAAAAA. White has already surpassed 1,000 points for his career and was awarded Region POY in a league that included senior standouts Kamar Robertson and Messiah Thompson. The Cougars are currently at 22-6 with the help of White, Cam Sheffield, and others. Turner created talk all season long with big scoring numbers for the Knights. He is nearly 6’5” now with exceptional outside shooting ability and quick-twitch athleticism. His play resulted in an offer from Georgia Tech and other progams have started to take notice. Rounding out the Top 10 is Kowacie Reeves Jr. out of Westside-Macon. Reeves is starting to get looks from numerous HM programs and has expanded his game from just being an outside shooter. He is becoming more comfortable off the dribble and has developed some nice vertical athleticism.
New Faces
The Southern part of the state is not only represented by Reeves. Both Quay Primas and Tykevious Curry enter the rankings at #25 and #27 respectively. Both are having very productive sophomore seasons and their teams have been doing very well also. Ryan Mutombo (#33), Will Richard (#35), and Jaylin Galloway (#39) all make strong debuts in this update. Mutombo had a nice season for Lovett, proving to be a double-double threat every night while showing some mid-range touch and protecting the rim like his father. Richard has had numerous standouts performances for Fayette County this winter, including a 25-point, 16-rebound game that I saw live. He is a versatile wing who is tough and extremely active on both ends of the floor. Galloway, the brother of current UNCG player Kyrin Galloway, has been an important piece for the 22-3 Sprayberry Yellow Jackets. Sprayberry is a balanced team loaded with talented players, but Galloway has been a steady contributor. He’s already 6’5”+ with perimeter skill and is not afraid at all; I wouldn’t be surprised if he rises in the next update. Omarion Smith from Douglas County comes in at 47th. He is a physically mature forward who excels as a shot-blocker and likes to mix things up inside on both sides.
Other Notes
Sutton Smith (21st), Madison Durr (24th), and George Pridgett (34th) have all been steady performers for their respective teams this season. All 3 were named All-Region with Smith winning Co-POY in 7-AAAA. They may be poised for a bump in the next update; their travel teams are solid and play top competition. Zyair Greene is at 43rd in this update and trending upwards. He has had a very strong season for a young Miller Grove team. Overall, I feel like this class is a strong one from top to bottom and will have a lot of guys emerge and separate themselves this spring and summer. There are impressive prospects at all positions. Guards like RJ Noord (11th), Peyton Daniels (12th), and Broc Bidwell (16th) are all significant players in the class who have gotten attention early. But, you should watch out for guys like Travis Burrus (29th), Kedrick Green (30th), and Will Kolker (36th) down the road. The same goes for forwards; most have started to hear about Robbie Armbrester (6th) and Cole Middleton (7th), but Isaac Abidde (19th), Tyler Shirley (20th), and Ian Schieffelin (26th) are worth tracking as well.