Class of 2021 Players Ranked #11-15 and Why
Rankings are subjective. Why did we rank these guys? Why are they at this spot? Take a look at several Class of 2021 prospects and learn a little about their reputation. Time to revisit the Class of 2021 rankings and…
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Continue ReadingRankings are subjective. Why did we rank these guys? Why are they at this spot? Take a look at several Class of 2021 prospects and learn a little about their reputation.
Time to revisit the Class of 2021 rankings and adjust to account for the player’s growth and stagnation.
If you want to look at the complete 2021 rankings, smash here. DM @CourtneyHoops90 or @AndrewForce8 to state your case to be ranked.
The following players are now ranked in the Top 15 statewide (LEFT-new rank). For frame of reference, players ranked within the 11-15 range in past classes signed with UNC-Asheville (x2), Tennessee Tech, Evansville, Florida, Chattanooga, Jacksonville State, Blinn Junior College, etc.
#11 TJ Madlock (Houston)
Matured physically. High character floor general, T.J. Madlock is maturing his basketball brain rapidly. At this point he is quite a bit more advanced than most high school graduates because he lives around the game. T.J. is the son of University of Memphis Assistant Coach Tony Madlock.
Tony Madlock began his coaching career as an assistant and teacher at his alma mater, Melrose High School, in Memphis. The Golden Wildcats posted a 67-29 mark over the three seasons with Madlock on the staff, and Melrose was the 1997 state tournament runner-up with a 32-7 record.
Madlock also starred at Melrose, receiving honorable mention All-America and first-team All-State honors as a point guard while lettering three years.
Madlock earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from then-Memphis State in 1991 in 3.5 years. The Memphis started three of his four seasons and played on teams that went to four straight postseason tournaments.
A four-year letterman and three-year starter for Memphis from 1988-92, Madlock was a member of four postseason tournament teams for the Tigers, reaching the NCAA Tournament and NIT two times each.
He still ranks among the school’s all-time leaders for games played (128) and averaged double figures as a junior and senior.
Madlock played one year of professional basketball in South America before starting his coaching career.
#12 Grant Slatten (White County)
Highest motor. Incredible, fiery basketball player with seemingly no end to his running. In the 90’s he would have been labeled an Energizer Bunny (battery commercial). Alas, that reference is quite dated. You see young men and women, the battery (in the commercial) the Energizer Bunny “kept going and going and going.” Slatten’s weaknesses are difficult to find. Ideal guard height? Check. Shooting ability? Check. Defends? Check. Understands the game? Check. Intangibles? Check!
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126’5″ / WGWhite CountyEAB
#13 Zander Yates (Houston)
Traditional face-up four man. Zander is friends and year-round teammate of Mason Miller. When they added Madlock the team ignited like a torch. Last week Houston was ranked PrepHoopsTN #1 in Class AAA thanks to their talent, skill, and early results. Yates gives both Houston and a future college program a beautiful shooting touch, a simply flawless shooting form, and an ability to rebound in his area. He still needs to get a little more spry to effectively defend the pick-n-roll, but as a high school junior he is elite in nearly every aspect.
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136’8″ / FHoustonHoop City 16u
#14 Jelani Willis (Memphis East)
Transferred in to Memphis East for this his junior season. Jelani Willis previously played for FACS. The cross is nasty. His behind-the-back isn’t fair. Willis plays football too. His speed and power mix on the football field…isn’t fair. The guy just works and when naturally gifted athletes work hard there really aren’t many who belong in their class. That is why, of all the basketball players in Tennessee, Willis is 14th in his class.
People wanna see me fail so bad 💯. New beginnings 💯🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/vHjWEm2yEL
— Jelani Willlis (@_JWILL10) June 22, 2019
#15 Alden Applewhite (Houston)
Exceptional size for his position. Indescribable smoothness. Applewhite doesn’t lack the tools, the size, or the natural gifts to be incredible as a college hooper. There are not three ’21 wings with higher ceilings than Alden. He just needs three things to get to where he needs to go. 1) Health 2) Discretion 3) Consistency. Alden missed much of his sophomore season with injury. Applewhite scored 18 points against Olive Branch earlier this season. He was back healthy to start the 2019-2020 season, but then…
For those attending the Olive Branch-Houston game tonight, Alden Applewhite (ankle) and Kyron Pleas (hand) will not play.
— Courtney Asher Smith (@CourtneyHoops90) December 3, 2019
Applewhite historically shot too many low-percentage shots. He could make them, but he didn’t make enough to warrant those types of shots. Unabashed. Focusing on executing what he does very well, instead of what he does poorly or merely ok, in game situations will help.
The willingness to shoot a tough shot after a missed shot takes bravery. Alden’s mentality is that mentality that shooter’s and scorer’s have. It is needed. Alden has the confidence to take and make tough shots, but he doesn’t yet have the consistency to attempt 20′ pull-ups multiple times in a game.
Applewhite transferred to Houston High from Lausanne Collegiate. For him to succeed with a wonderfully-balanced Houston team he will merely need to do what he can do well. There is scoring punch, leadership, rebounding. Houston has it all. Alden doesn’t need to carry the team or even take difficult shots. He just needs to hit the open shot and move without the basketball and his ranking and offers will instantly surge back to the top 10 where he belongs.
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156’6″ / SFHoustonBluff City Legends
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