Class of 2021 Rankings Update: Biggest Risers
A look at the players who made the biggest jumps in the latest class of 2021 rankings… No. 13 Jayden Jackson (ABC Young Lions/Whitefish Bay) Previously: 28 A smooth scorer that’s still just coming into his own, Jackson has a…
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Continue ReadingA look at the players who made the biggest jumps in the latest class of 2021 rankings…
No. 13 Jayden Jackson (ABC Young Lions/Whitefish Bay)
Previously: 28
A smooth scorer that’s still just coming into his own, Jackson has a lot of intriguing tools. The 6-foot-3 junior is a plus-length guard with unique shot-creating ability. Jackson has the moves and touch of a prototypical scoring guard. A kid that’s starting to come into his own and believe in his ability, Jackson has gotten better and better since his sophomore season.
No. 14 Cade Meyer (Wisconsin Playground Club/Monroe)
Previously: 33
After seeing what he did at Wisconsin’s advanced camp on Saturday, I’m not sure I moved Meyer high enough. Meyer showed flashes in the spring, but started to really put some things together in Madison. A 6-foot-7 power forward, Meyer has a slender, but strong build. He’s a state high jump champion who plays above the rim with ease. Now, he’s starting to really shoot it well from mid and 3-point range. Expect Meyer to start attracting Division 1 programs this summer.
No. 20 Drew Biber (Phenom University/Cedarburg)
Previously: 60
A kid we didn’t know much about until we saw him in the spring, Biber proved to be a crucial player for Phenom University. He’s a do-it-all, blue-collar player that coaches have a hard time keeping him off the floor. Biber is a 6-foot-3 wing who can shoot and slash. He’s also got the tools and want-to to be a terrific defender.
No. 21 Brian Parzych (Wisconsin Swing/Wauwatosa East)
Previously: 49
I knew I liked Parzych on film, but you never know if that tells the whole story before you see a prospect live. Without a doubt, Parzych impressed the entire spring. A high motor guard that doesn’t stop until the whistle, Parzych is everywhere. I really like his speed and burst on the ball. He’s always looking to go coast-to-coast and can finsih at top end speed. It translates to the half court as well as Parzych can blow by defenders.
No. 23 Quentin Bolton (Phenom University NY2LA/Shoreland Lutheran)
Previously: NR
I definitely knew who Bolton was coming into the spring, but didn’t have him ranked following his sophomore season. Either we missed or this kid has been putting in work…or both. Bolton looked darn good at the Spiece Run N’ Slam in May. A 6-foot-5 combo forward who can handle and shoot the basketball, Bolton showcased the ability to be a mismatch problem. He’s got a good balance of strength and finesse as well as inside-outside scoring ability.
No. 26 Grant Asman (Pack Attack/Kimberly)
Previously: 41
We were surprised that in the four Kimberly games we saw last season, Asman never got on the floor. That hurt his ranking, but after the Spiece Run N’ Slam, Asman reminded us why we had him in the top 25 following his freshman season. Climbing his way back up, Asman has showed all-around ability as a scorer, facilitator, shot blocker, and defender. The 6-foot-7 forward has made nice gains offensively, able to shoot from the outside, take others off the dribble, and play on the block.
No. 29 Donald McHenry (Phenom University NY2LA/Milwaukee Academy of Science)
Previously: 66
Milwaukee Academy of Science is loaded with guards and McHenry can get overshadowed. A plus-length floor general who’s excellent with the ball in his hands, McHenry has a very quick first step and tons of creativity on the ball. His burst forces defenders to give him an extra step and McHenry can counter with a quick pull-up jumper. McHenry is very strong in isolation settings, able to clear out and make something happen.
No. 37 Gavin Ralph (Wisconsin Academy/Wauzeka-Steuben)
Previously: 50
Ralph is a skilled wing/forward that can score and create for others. I’d like to see him be even more aggressive as I think he’s too unselfish, almost to a fault, at times. The 6-foot-3 junior has some sneaky athleticism and will regularly play above the rim. A guy that impact the game in a variety of ways, Ralph is not only his team’s first scoring option, but does a lot of the dirty work as well.
No. 38 Nate Abel (Wisconsin Crusaders/Beaver Dam)
Previously: 51
Once we see Abel as a junior for Beaver Dam, we’ll have a much better feel for his overall talent. He played on a very senior-laden team last season and pairs with some pretty good guards on the Wisconsin Crusaders during the travel season. Listed at 5-foot-11, Abel has pretty long arms for his size and looks closer to 6-foot-2. He can knock down shots from the perimeter consistently and is a very high-IQ guard that makes sound basketball decisions.
No. 39 Max Kunnert (Wisconsin Sharks/Brookfield Academy)
Previously: 63
This kid can absolutely put the ball in the hole. If he keeps doing what he did in the spring, it’s not crazy to think that Kunnert can’t keep rising into the top 30. A skilled shooting guard, Kunnert is a natural scorer with plenty of tools on the ball. He’s not overly big or athletic, but can find different ways to get buckets.
No. 55 Isaiah Hammond (JH1 Elite/Milwaukee School of Languages)
Previously: 69
It was pretty clear this spring that Hammond has been in the gym working. A jack-of-all-trades type prospect, Hammond does a little bit of everything on the floor. Hammond gets a lot of his production by just out-working people. He’s a guard, but almost plays like a forward — working for second chance opportunities.
No. 56 John Lovelace (ABC Young Lions/Wauwatosa East)
Previously: NR
Lovelace jumped into the rankings after a breakout spring. The 6-foot-5 wing/forward does a good job of catching in traffic, making a move, and finishing without much wasted motion. Lovelace is excellent in the high post, especially against zone defenses, finding the soft spots and then attacking. He can run the floor and handle the ball in transition. A smooth athlete with plenty of upside, Lovelace is one of many prospects on this list still just scratching the surface of their potential.
Others: Brandin Podziemski (9), Dustin Beauprey (30), Brandon Leach (31), Dylan Lisitza (36), Dylan Kuehl (57), Matthew Waldera (62), Jordan Johnson (66),