Updated 2021 Rankings: Top Wings (Part 2)
With the release of our updated 2021 rankings comes the opportunity for in depth breakdowns of our rankings. We’ll start by looking at our positional breakdowns, ranking the players by position. To continue here’s a look at the guards rankings,…
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Continue ReadingWith the release of our updated 2021 rankings comes the opportunity for in depth breakdowns of our rankings. We’ll start by looking at our positional breakdowns, ranking the players by position. To continue here’s a look at the guards rankings, going from 8-1.
8) Chris Brown | 6’3” | Jamestown (#36 Overall)
As far as the physical and athletic traits go, Brown checks them across the board. The long and lanky 6’3” wing has great bounce and moves his feet well making him a good defender, and he continues to improve in areas that will separate him moving forward. He already is a good shooter and finisher, and he continues to work on his ball handling ability which should help him be able to create his own shot moving forward.
7) Piercen Young | 6’1” | Brookville (#28 Overall)
Out in the Lynchburg area, Young has looked like one of the more promising young prospects and it’s easy to see why since he grew up in a basketball family. His sister Hannah recently is a freshman at Kent State, and he learned quite a lot from her. He’s a blue collar and tough kind of player who will do the dirty work like rebound and defend, but he’s also a good scorer in the paint and in the midrange, and he’s a guy who can catch-and-shoot from deep as well.
6) DJ Simms | 6’2” | Hanover (#27 Overall)
Stuck between a one and two, Simms has the physical and athletic tools to be successful just has to figure out his game and continue to improve in different areas. He’s a strong kid for his age and size and boy is he bouncy, he throws down some huge dunks you may not expect him to do. He’s able to use his size and athleticism to defend and rebound, he plays really well in transition and is able to create his own shot and get downhill and get to the basket.
5) Jaeden Freeman | 6’3” | Nansemond-Suffolk (#26 Overall)
Freeman is a kid that many in the area are high one because he has a Swiss-army knife kind of game. He has good length and a frame that should fill out, he’s a tough kid who also plays football at a high level and he’s skilled in all of the right ways. He can score the ball off the catch or off the bounce from all three levels, but he often does so without needing many dribbles or having to dominate the basketball.
4) Lamonta Ellis | 6’3” | Hopewell (#25 Overall)
A three-and-d kind of guy who has the potential for more, Ellis not only looks the part but he does his job really well. He knows what his strengths are and plays to them on both ends, rarely making mistakes by forcing things or trying to do too much. He has a great frame that should fill out and he should become more athletic as he continues to grow into his body as well.
3) Marcus Banks | 6’2” | Walsingham (#20 Overall)
When it comes to pure shooters, Banks has to be mentioned among the top in the state regardless of class. He has great footwork when coming off of screens, he relocates well when the ball is entered into the post, he has great range and he’s consistently consistent from beyond the arc. He’s also a guy who’s able to put it on the deck in transition and attack closeouts and get to the pull-up in the midrange.
2) Wes Peterson Jr. | 6’5” | Bishop O’Connell (#9 Overall)
When it comes to upside, Peterson is the guy on this list that could develop and turn into a high major prospect when it’s all said and done. Peterson has the perfect mix of size and athleticism to develop into something special, and he’s already shown some improvement in his skill set areas on the offensive end. He can catch-and-shoot when he’s open, he can get to the basket and finish above the rim and he rebounds well for his position. Defensively is another place he could shine as he has the right set of tools to be a multidimensional defender who can make plays while guarding on or off the basketball.
1) Trevor Keels | 6’4” | Paul VI (#2 Overall)
After this season, there’s no question who the best perimeter prospect in the 2021 class in Virginia is. With Virginia Tech commit Ant Harris and top 20 2020 guard Jeremy Roach both going down with knee injuries, someone had to step in and step up for PVI, and Keels was the top option to do so and he did not disappoint. The strong 6’4” wing finished the season as the WCAC co-POY along with senior Villanova commit Justin Moore and senior UVA commit Justin Moore. Keels has the physical tools with his great size and strength, and he has a great understanding of the game to go with it. He can score from all three levels, he’s a gritty and tough defender and he doesn’t mind helping on the glass or doing whatever it takes for his team to win.