Updated 2021 Rankings: Highest Debuts
UPDATED 2021 PROSPECT RANKINGS Jake Layman (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) — No. 26 As a key piece on the state’s top-ranked, Layman — a 6’7 forward — was a shoo-in to make a high debut on this list. The Warriors players…
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Continue ReadingUPDATED 2021 PROSPECT RANKINGS
Jake Layman (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) — No. 26
As a key piece on the state’s top-ranked, Layman — a 6’7 forward — was a shoo-in to make a high debut on this list. The Warriors players pride themselves in taking smart shots and it shows with Layman’s shooting percentages, 53 percent from the floor and 41 percent from deep. That size and shooting ability are a rare combo.
Emarion Ellis (Davenport Central) — No. 30
Davenport Central has been one of the best teams in Iowa this season, and it features a cast of breakout players. Emarion Ellis has made a huge splash with the team, going for 10 points per game. Any sophomore making that big of an impact on a top 4A team can be considered one of the state’s best.
Spencer Mackey (LeMars) — No. 34
This sharpshooting sophomore has canned 45 3s this season, and has made them at an impressive 43 percent clip. His 15.9 points per game are the fifth-best among sophomores in Class 3A.
Bryce Phelps (Denver) — No. 38
Each night out, this stat-stuffing sophomore is a triple-double threat, and he — along with teammate and classmate Kyler Matthias — are putting Denver on the hoops map. Phelps has helped guide the Cyclones to a 14-5 record while averaging 14.8 points, 6.9 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Ty Walker (Des Moines Roosevelt) — No. 43
The future of Roosevelt basketball could lie in the hands of this adept 5-foot-10 guard. Walker is a combo-guard who’s averaging 11.6 points per game for the ‘Riders this winter. Shooting is his strength, he leads the team with 38 made 3s this season, and he’s 40-47 from the free-throw line.
John Miller (Davenport Central) — No. 44
Like his teammate and classmate Emarion Ellis, Miller has enjoyed a breakout season with one of the biggest surprise teams in Iowa. Miller, a 5’10 guard, is not only scoring it well for the 13-4 Blue Devils, but he’s his defense has been strong, too (2.0 steals per game).
Trey Baker (Martensdale-St Marys) — No. 51
A big and versatile wing, Baker plays at tiny Martensdale St-Marys, but he’s a big-time player in Iowa’s 2021 class. The 6’5 wing can put the ball on the deck as well as he can score from deep, and can certainly post-up smaller defenders. He’s leading the 16-2 Blue Devils with 16.8 points per game this season.
Byron Benton (Iowa City High) — No. 53
There’s lot of potential here with this 5-foot-10 point guard, who is not only scoring is well for the Little Hawkeyes (7.4 ppg), but he’s distributing it well, too. Benton is certainly one to keep an eye on in Iowa’s 2021 class.