Updated 2021 Rankings: The Top 10
This Sophomore class has the early makings of being really good but maybe not as good as the loaded 2019 class has been. They are not getting the early scholarship offers and accolades that the 19 class did but there…
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Continue ReadingThis Sophomore class has the early makings of being really good but maybe not as good as the loaded 2019 class has been. They are not getting the early scholarship offers and accolades that the 19 class did but there is some real depth in the class with some star power on top. With Zion Harmon Zion Harmon 5'10" | PG Marshall County | 2021 State #52 Nation KY playing his high school ball out of state, he has been removed from the rankings so we have a new number one in the class. Here’s a break down of the updated Top 10 in 2021.
- Scotty Draud Scotty Draud 6'6" | SF Beechwood | 2021 State KY , Beechwood – Leading Beechwood to their most successful season in school history, Draud moves up to the top of the rankings. One of the top 20 scorers in the state this season, Scotty has the size at 6’5 to play the wing in college and has been an early target of both Cincinnati and Xavier. After spending his Sophomore season facing chaser defenses and box and one zones, it will be interesting to see if Draud starts playing more of a point guard role at Beechwood to avoid some of the junk defenses.
- Darrius Washington, Fern Creek – Darrius stays at the second spot in the rankings with this update. Washington looks every bit the part of a high major player but he’s going to have to get more aggressive on both ends of the court to reach that level. If Darrius doesn’t grow, he has to stretch his game out past the 3 point line and get more comfortable shooting from distance and putting it on the floor. Washington is a top player in Louisville for a reason and he still projects to land comfortably at the D1 level. His ceiling as a prospect will depend on how his game continues developing.
- Isaiah Mason Isaiah Mason 6'4" | SF Bowling Green | 2021 State KY , Bowling Green – Cracking the top 3 in this update, Isaiah had a great season for the Purples and nearly got them back to Rupp Arena. One of the early knocks on Mason was his subpar perimeter shooting but that narrative has changed this season as he shot 42% from three over the course of his sophomore year. Still more comfortable putting the ball on the floor, the 6’4 guard led Bowling Green in scoring and rebounding with 15 and 6 per game while shooting 55% from the field overall. He still needs to get stronger and his 60% free throw shooting is a bit worrying but Mason projects well as a solid shooting guard at the next level.
- Ben Johnson Ben Johnson 6'3" | CG Lexington Catholic | 2021 State KY , Lexington Catholic – Lexington Catholic underachieved this season but it wasn’t for lack of trying on Johnson’s part. Ben had a 40 point game this season and averaged 18.4 points per game while playing both guard spots for the Knights. Because of a weaker supporting cast than most years at Catholic, Johnson faced team’s best defenders every night and had to create his own offense more than he probably should have. The only question for his college stock is if Ben will hit another growth spurt and become a true shooting guard or if he’s going to stay 6’3 and be a combo guard or scoring point.
- Jaden Rogers Jaden Rogers 6'1" | PG Fern Creek | 2021 State KY , Fern Creek – Speaking of scoring point guards, Jaden Rogers Jaden Rogers 6'1" | PG Fern Creek | 2021 State KY has established himself as a big time scorer in the city of Louisville in his Sophomore season. Leading the Tigers at 17.5 points per game, Jaden often looked to be the only member of the team who wasn’t afraid of the big moment. When Scott County eviscerated them earlier this season, Rogers was the only Fern Creek guard who didn’t look scared to death of the Cardinals patented run and jump defense. Jaden needs to be in the gym continuing to work on his outside shooting but his agility and IQ promise to keep him among the top guards in the state in 2021 for the next two seasons.
The Next 5:
- Trey James, Sheldon Clark – James feasts on weaker competition at the high school level but if Trey can prove he can score the ball while playing 17u this summer, he will get right back in the discussion for the #1 spot in the class.
- Kelly Niece Kelly Niece 6'2" | CG Simon Kenton | 2021 State KY , Simon Kenton – Kelly has no scoring issues. He had a monster Sophomore season for the Pioneers. Someone compared him to former Indiana star Damon Bailey and he has a high ceiling as a prospect. He’ll need to tighten his handles if he’s going to be a point guard at the next level.
- DaShawn Jackson DaShawn Jackson 6'3" | SG Frederick Douglass | 2021 State KY , Frederick Douglass – Consistency is key for Jackson moving forward. He doesn’t handle the ball well enough to be a full time point guard but only shot 29% from 3 for the season. The potential is there but DaShawn is going to have to continue developing his game.
- Cearius “King” Warren, Southern – The ultimate example of potential over production, “King” is long, athletic and looks like a power 5 level of recruit, but then you realize Warren averaged only 7.6 points per game for a Southern team that finished 13-12. He needs to be on the shooting gun all summer after shooting 0-6 from 3 and only 42% at the free throw line as a Sophomore.
- JaQuais Franklin JaQuais Franklin 6'1" | PG Elizabethtown | 2021 State KY , Elizabethtown – Franklin had a breakout year, averaging 20.5 points per game with 49/37/72 shooting splits. Leading E-Town in points and rebounds, JaQuais has a chance to impress coaches this summer but will need to grow a couple more inches to become a true shooting guard prospect for the next level.