Updated 2021 Rankings: Biggest Risers (Part I)
There was a lot of of shake-up in the latest Class of 2021 prospect rankings, which is inclined to happen when the players are still so early in their high school careers. Not only are the guys growing an improving…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThere was a lot of of shake-up in the latest Class of 2021 prospect rankings, which is inclined to happen when the players are still so early in their high school careers. Not only are the guys growing an improving at an exponential rate at this age, but we as evaluators have gotten much better insight into prospects. By this time next year, the 2021s rankings will start to take on a more stable form, but for now, consider them very fluid.
Below we take a look at eight guys who made the most substantial leaps in the latest prospect rankings.
UPDATED 2021 PROSPECT RANKINGS
Michael Duax (Dubuque, Hempstead) — 6 to 3
Already highly regarded when the initial rankings came out in the fall, Duax is now into elite territory as a top-3 player in his class. He’s got the size, at 6’5, that piques college coaches’ interest. And he’s been posting monster numbers for Hempstead, emerging as their best player this season.
Tucker DeVries (Waukee) — 26 to 4
Perhaps the most significant jump in these rankings comes from the 6’5 Waukee wing. He was brand new to Iowa when the initial rankings came out last fall, he moved here from Omaha after his dad landed the men’s coaching job at Drake. It hasn’t taken long for DeVries to surface as one of Iowa’s top prospects. He’s averaging 11.2 points and shooting 47 percent from deep for one of 4A’s best teams.
Marcus Morgan (Iowa City West) — 8 to 5
We saw his potential last summer while he was a headliner for the Iowa Barnstormers’ 15U squad. He’s now proven he can get it done at the 4A ranks playing against one of the state’s toughest schedules. Morgan, a 6’3 guard, is a starter for one of the state’s premier programs, and is shooting the ball with great efficiency this season.
Jaylon Moses (Xavier) — 14 to 9
Here’s a guy who has a lot of potential to keep exponentially rising through the ranks. Moses was injured all last season as a freshman, and was unable to play his 15U offseason as a result. But his reputation preceded him, and at 6’8 and with a versatile set of skills, high-major schools are paying attention to him. And he’s on a short list of guys that could break out this summer.
Ryan Riggs (Dowling Catholic) — 15 to 11
Another guy who missed a big chunk of his freshman season due to injury, Riggs, though, has come on strong as a sophomore for a good Dowling team. He’s 6’8 and silky smooth around the rim. Riggs is averaging 11.6 points, 1.4 blocks and 5.3 rebounds per game against top CIML competition.
Trey Shearer (Montezuma) — 17 to 15
He’s not the biggest guy, but even at 5’10 Shearer is able to be a sensational and dominant force as a sophomore. After a stellar freshman season he’s really outdone himself this winter, going for 23.9 points and 4.9 assists per game. What we like best is the shooting efficiency, Shearer is 51 percent from the floor and 40 percent from deep. Oh, and his Braves squad is 17-0.
Cooper DeJean (OA-BCIG) — 38 to 16
The proof is in the numbers here, just look at the ridiculous stats this 6-foot guard is posting this season for OA-BCIG: 23 points, 5.4 assists and 11.2 rebounds per game. The rebounding numbers are astounding, no guard in Iowa is boarding it better. It’s his athleticism, and in particular leaping ability, that makes his game pop.
Jayden Houston (Davenport North) — 28 to 18
We caught a glimpse of this 6-foot guard last summer in Milwaukee at a grassroots event, and he was the main attraction for a very good Quad City Elite 15U squad. We were curious to see how he would fit in on a veteran Davenport North squad. We though he might make an impact as a sophomore, and he’s exceeded those expectations while going for 10.5 points and team-bests 1.8 steals and 6.9 rebounds per game.