Class of 2021 Rankings Update: Breaking Down the Top 10
A closer look at the new top 10 prospects in Wisconsin’s class of 2021… 1. Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Sussex Hamilton/Phenom University) Previously: 1 Tough to see anyone catching Baldwin atop this list. The five-star blue chip wing is widely…
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Continue ReadingA closer look at the new top 10 prospects in Wisconsin’s class of 2021…
1. Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Sussex Hamilton/Phenom University)
Previously: 1
Tough to see anyone catching Baldwin atop this list. The five-star blue chip wing is widely considered the best prospect nationally in the 2021 recruiting class. Baldwin is one of the country’s most dangerous shooters and can catch fire from anywhere on the floor. A legit 6-foot-8, he can create just about any shot he wants. Baldwin already has offers from Kansas, Duke, Florida, Wisconsin, UCLA, Marquette, Missouri, Northwestern, and others.
Patrick Baldwin Jr.2. David Joplin (Brookfield Central/Meanstreets)
Previously: 3
Joplin is an intriguing talent who can kill defenders on the block or on the perimeter. He’s got exceptional post footwork and is now transitioning his game outside the paint. Joplin is a tweener at 6-foot-5, but has a really good frame and three-level scoring capability. DePaul and UNLV have offered Joplin thus far.
3. Brayden Dailey (Cuba City/Wisconsin Playground Club)
Previously: 4
Going to leave Dailey behind Joplin for now, although I do think that gap is closing. Dailey just picked up his first scholarship offer from UW-Milwaukee. A high volume scorer who is definitely in the conversation as one of the state’s best shooters, Dailey makes 20 points look about as easy as it can.
4. Cameron Palesse (Waukesha West/Wisconsin Playground Club)
Previously: 5
Another prospect I could also see battling his way up to No. 2, Palesse had a very fine spring. He’s got great size for the point guard spot at 6-foot-3 and is very underrated at attacking the rim and finishing through contact. Palesse also shoots it well from all areas of the floor and averaged better than five assists per game as a sophomore. Canisius, LIU-Brooklyn, UW-Milwaukee, and UC-Davis have all extended offers early.
Cameron Palesse5. Tyrese Hunter (Racine St. Catherine’s/Phenom University)
Previously: 6
Hunter holds offers from DePaul and Grambling State. A relentless attacker, Hunter has tremendous athleticism. You don’t see many 5-foot-10 guards play above the rim the way this kid does. His jumper is coming along. If he becomes a consistent scoring threat away from the rim, Hunter has a chance to rise up these rankings as well.
6. Ben Nau (Brookfield Central/Phenom University)
Previously: 7
They’re different players, but Nau definitely has a lot of his brother, Hillsdale commit Cole Nau, in his game. Both are willing to do anything for a victory, including sacrifice their bodies. There’s definitely not a better charge taker in the state than Nau and it’s not shocking to see him draw 2-3 offensive fouls per game, even in AAU. Also a deadly 3-point shooter, Nau has a terrific stroke, getting tons of lift on his shot. He’s played up at the 17U level in the Nike EYBL this spring and helped Phenom University win a handful of games. DePaul, Indiana State, UW-Milwaukee, and Miami (OH) have all offered thus far.
7. Kobe Johnson (Nicolet/Phenom University)
Previously: 8
Still like the trajectory that Johnson is on. He’s now a legit 6-foot-4 and able to play both guard spots effectively. Johnson’s offense has come such a long way over the last year, especially his 3-point shooting. Now his athleticism is making big gains and he’s an above the rim threat. If he keeps making gains at this rate, a year from now, we’re probably talking about Johnson as a high major player. As of now, the Nicolet guard has offers from Indiana State, UW-Milwaukee, and DePaul.
James Graham8. James Graham (Nicolet/Phenom University)
Previously: 9
Graham has been out with an injury, but we’ve seen enough to know that his upside is definitely as a top 10 prospect. DePaul and Rutgers have both offered, falling in love with Graham’s shooting ability for his size. A big bodied, 6-foot-6 wing, Graham has some intriguing skills as a shot creator and can run the floor in transition.
9. Brandin Podziemski (SJNMA/Wisconsin Rap)
Previously: 17
You don’t see guys already in the top 20 make these kinds of jumps very often, but that’s a tribute to the spring that Podziemski had. He played up at the 17U level and was a stud. When he dropped down to the 16U squad at times, Podziemski made it look way too easy. A skilled 6-foot-3 sharpshooter who can also create for others, Podziemski was the conference player of the year as a sophomore. His recruitment has been very quiet thus far, but by July, Division 1 and 2 programs should start to catch on.
10. Zac Johnson (River Falls/Wisconsin Playmakers)
Previously: 11
Johnson has one of the prettiest shots in the state. A sniper with a smooth and ultra-quick stroke, defenders have to pick this kid up well beyond the 3-point arc. Johnson has good size at 6-foot-3 and is quicker than he looks, able to create space for his shot nicely even against tough coverage. What put Johnson into the top 10 was ability to be more than just a spot-up shooter. He surprised with his ability to take the ball to the rim and not shy away from contact. UW-Milwaukee, Valparaiso, Northern Iowa, Nebraska-Omaha, and New Hampshire are all expressing interest going into the summer evaluation period.
Also considered: Kamari McGee, JaKobe Thompson, Jayden Jackson