2021 Rankings Update: The Top Five
The Class of 2021 rankings have finally been updated and when it came to the Top Five, there really weren’t all that many changes from before. What did have to be compensated for was the departure of Wayne McKinney, as…
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Continue ReadingThe Class of 2021 rankings have finally been updated and when it came to the Top Five, there really weren’t all that many changes from before. What did have to be compensated for was the departure of Wayne McKinney, as the former Lake Oswego point guard moved with his family down to the San Diego area. This opened up a new spot in the Top Five so it was a matter of deciding who took it.
Here’s a breakdown of the new Top Five:
1) Nathan Bittle (2021 Crater) – previous rank: #1
Not much of a surprise, but Bittle remains ranked at the top of the list. The now 6-foot-11 post with a 7-foot-4 wingspan has seen a rise in the national rankings – as high as the Top 15 from some pundits – as high-major schools across the country have been intrigued with his length, potential, and skill set as a big man. Bittle had a great summer playing with West Coast Elite and also further trained in the USA Basketball program. The Crater junior has even started to work on his recruitment, taking a couple of official visits to Arizona and UCLA this fall. A lot will be expected out of Bittle this season with the Comets and he’s a serious candidate for 5A Player of the Year honors.
2) Ben Gregg (2021 Clackamas) – previous rank: #2
Another non-surprise is Gregg ranked at number two, and the 6-foot-8 forward has also seen a rise up in the national rankings, with some in the Top 50 range. The biggest change for the junior of course has been the transfer to Clackamas but if there were any questions whether or not playing against big school competition would be a challenge, those were certainly answered in June as Gregg had no trouble dominating for the Cavs. Gregg was one of the centerpiece players for the Rose City Rebels on the AAU circuit and college coaches were routinely at his games. Similar to Bittle, Gregg has started to work on his college recruitment and took an early official visit to Oregon State this fall.
3) Nate Rawlins-Kibonge (2021 Jefferson) – previous rank: #3
While Rawlins-Kibonge may have bounced around a little on the AAU circuit, starting with Team P.U.S.H. and then ending up with Hoop Salem, the 6-foot-7 post was consistent in the fact that he performed well wherever it was he was playing. The Jefferson junior brings one thing to the table that you just can’t teach and that’s incredible intensity all the time, and he has the willingness to battle against anyone at any size dow low. While he may not rank above Bittle and Gregg on the list, there’s certainly no shame in being third in Rawlins-Kibonge’s case in this extremely deep class.
4) Kam Robinson (2021 Jefferson) – previous rank: #6
Into the vacant spot in the top five left by McKinney is Robinson – and for good reason. The now 6-foot-8 post has done an incredible job with his body, shedding a lot of baby fat and also getting more athletic where dunking the ball is now a regular occurence. He had a solid spring and summer with the Rose City Rebels and was even given the opportunity to play a little out on the perimeter where he was able to show a nice outside shooting touch. There’s no doubt there’s still room for Robinson to improve in several areas but he’s already garnered two D-I scholarship offers in Montana and Pacific and others will be watching intently this season.
5) Darius Gakwasi (2021 Central Catholic) – previous rank: #4
Gakwasi remains in the top five but just slips down one spot to #5, not so much anything he didn’t do this off-season but rather the emergence of Robinson. The 6-foot-5 junior remains a versatile perimeter player and he had a solid summer shooting and scoring the ball for the Rose City Rebels. He picked up a scholarship offer from Portland in the process and has other schools continuing to watch and monitor his progress. With Central Catholic likely one of the favorites this season, Gakwasi will get a chance to step up as a leader and contend for First Team All-State and Player of the Year honors.