Nevada Player Rankings Breakdown: C/O 2021 Risers
The Nevada Rankings for the Class of 2021 are out. The class is solid at the top led by top 5 National player Jaden Hardy. In addition to Hardy, there are several other high major prospects at the top of…
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Continue ReadingThe Nevada Rankings for the Class of 2021 are out. The class is solid at the top led by top 5 National player Jaden Hardy. In addition to Hardy, there are several other high major prospects at the top of this class. Junior year is perhaps the most important season in a prep player’s career, so I expect a lot of moving and shaking to happen in the next 12 months. In this article PH takes a look at some of the risers in the C/O 2021.
#5 Anthony Swift 6’6 F Desert Pines – Swift has shot up in both the National and state rankings. He has the length, athleticism and versatility to be a high major wing. He’s the type of guy that can leave an impact on the game without ever taking a shot. If you need rim protection or rebounding, he is elite at either. Swift can hedge or switch ball screens, and is comfortable guarding 4 positions. What I like about him most, is his competitive spirit. Thanks to his AAU coach I got to see him play in a few private scrimmages. Just watching the intensity he played with, you would have thought it was game 7 of the NBA finals. Currently he holds offers from UNLV, Fresno St UTEP, and Nevada Reno.
#7 Keshon Gilbert 6’2 G Durango – We can argue about Gilbert’s height, but his game is unquestionable. The 6’2 point man may be one of the best ball handlers in the city. He has all the moves, including hesitations, cross overs and a patent spin move. He is impossible to stay in front of and can both score and create for others off the bounce. He has good size to play the 1, and is a decent athlete. Really his future depends on how quickly he develops a consistent jumper. Currently Nevada Reno is the leader for his services.
#11 Emanuel “Mooch” Austin 6’0 G Legacy – Austin is a combo guard that gets buckets. From a scoring standpoint he is extremely advanced and understands how to get to his spot on the floor. What I love about him most is that, he doesn’t look at the score, as long as there is time on the clock you can expect him to compete hard. He went from a guy who wasn’t on anyone’s radar, to perhaps one of the most intriguing prospects in the state. He is going to have to figure out how to play the 1, however he has some great coaches behind him, in coach Byrd and Banks. If they can help him with that, then there is a school out there that will get an absolute gem.
#18 Joseph Summers 5’11 G Carson City – Summers may be the most under- rated player in the state. Playing for a struggling Carson City squad, he was forced to do it all last year. However when I watched him play during the grassroots season, he caught my eye. He is a heady point guard who has a great understanding of how to play the position. A great shooter, from the 3 point line, Summers is also the perfect guy to have at the line in a close game. Not the quickest guard in the nation, but he uses short hesitation moves to get by defenders and get into the lane. Once he draws two, he is a good enough passer to hit his man on time and on target. With a few more wins this year, Summers has the chance to climb even higher in the rankings.
#23 Josh Waddell 6’5 C Centennial – Waddell is the definition of a riser, I doubt that he is on anyone’s radar at this time. He played sparingly for the Centennial JV last year, however his size and hands have certainly put him in position to rise up this list. In a state devoid of big guys, the 6’5 Waddell certainly has a chance to be one of the best Junior Post in Nevada this season. He will rebound and rim protect, and has a decent jump hook over his left shoulder. With an increase in varsity minutes this year, I would be stunned if an increase in production didn’t follow.