2021 Rankings Update: Newest Top-5
The 2021 class is one of the deepest that we have in the entire state and is the class that took the most time to debate, but we have done it — we have come out with our latest update.…
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Continue ReadingThe 2021 class is one of the deepest that we have in the entire state and is the class that took the most time to debate, but we have done it — we have come out with our latest update. We added over 30 players to the list and saw the most movement from any other class that we have had. Here is a look at the newest top-5.
Jalen Weaver – Smoky Hill
The writing has been on the wall for quite some time so there is no surprise who the top player in the class is as Weaver had arguably the best summer of any other player in the state and has ridden that momentum into a huge start to his junior year where he is in the running for the Gatorade Player of the year as well. Weaver started to make national headlines with his play this summer and it started to get him on division I college radars as the offers started to roll in. Weaver has responded by leading the Smoky Hill Buffaloes to an 11-2 start to the season in the best conference in the state and he is putting up a team-high 19.4 points and 5.6 rebounds to go along with it as well. Weaver is a 6-4 combo-guard that uses his size. He finishes over smaller defenders, blows by bigger and slower guys and is able to space the floor with his outside shot as well. He is dangerous in the open court and is also challenges himself on the defensive end. His ceiling is high.
Julian Hammond – Cherry Creek
I have been trying to buy Hammond stock from anybody foolish enough to sell as Hammond has as high a ceiling as anybody in the state. Hammond is one of the very best athletes in the entire state as he just led his football team to a perfect 14-0 record and championship as the starting quarterback. This 1stteam All-State football star is also one very best on the hardwood as well as he put up 20.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a game as a sophomore and when asked if he would be able to build on such a year he has responded by going up a notch. Hammond has shaken off the football rust (if there ever was any) and upped those numbers. In 11 games played this season, Hammond is up to 23 points and 6.2 rebounds a game and has shown progression in other parts of his game. He has bought in defensively averaging 2.5 steals a game and has improved as a passer as well which does not bode well for the rest of the state. He is a player that leads by example and this 6’2 sharpshooter has been one of the most efficient shooters in the state. Hammond is shooting 48% from beyond the arc which is not a mark that you see often. He is coming off of a game in which he put up 26 points against the No.3 team in the state and was ultra-efficient in doing so as he went 11-16 from the field. Yeah, sell me ALL Hammond stock you can find as the No.2 player in the class moves up a spot.
Ty Robinson – Eaglecrest
There might not be a player in the state with the highlight package that Robinson will have when it is all said and done. Robinson is a 6’5 highlight ready to happen and he is not afraid to go up with anybody. What I have noticed about him is the bigger the moment, the bigger his game. Robinson is an above the rim player but also knocks down 3-pointers for Eaglecrest. He is shooting 40% from beyond the arc while shooting about 4.5 3’s a game. He has also seen his numbers rise this season as he is putting up 13.4 points and 4.2 rebounds a game which is great when considering how his numbers will increase when he gets into a rhythm. When Robinson is aggressive and attacking with an inside and out type of game, he is uncontainable. He has the size to finish over defenders and also is able to put the ball on the floor and penetrate the defense. He also is a player that has a mid-range game that goes often overlooked which creates easy scoring opportunities as well. Robinson is one of the most versatile players in the class as he has the ability to play as well as defend positions 1-4. His best basketball is in front of him and that is a scary idea.
Skylar Wilson – Eaglecrest
Skylar has made vast improvements to his game in a year and has had a significant jump as he now comes in as the No.4 player in the class. Wilson is a player who starred for a really good Billups Elite team this summer as he was surrounded by some of the very best in the class and he showed out and that has led to him a top-5 player in the class. Wilson went from a role player last season that played situational ball to now being an important piece to a Top-5 team in the state as he is averaging 12.4 points and 3.5 rebounds a game. He is a 6’6 sniper with range that is shooting 40% from beyond the arc. He has also had countless fast-break dunks that are momentum changing. He is a microwave-type player that scores in bunches and when he is on—he is on. Not many players in the state have this combination of size and skill and he will just continue to get bigger and stronger and better.
Taeshaud Jackson Jr. – Dakota Ridge
Every single showcase that Jackson Jr. showed up to this summer, he was the best player. There is no stopping him as he has that IT factor. He is aggressive and knows that he cannot be stopped when he makes up his mind to attack the paint and he did plenty of that. He dunked around, over and on defenders with either hand. He also is a player that gives 100% of himself every single time out on both sides of the floor as at 6’5 he is able to defend positions 1-5 with his speed and strength. Something that separates him from the rest of the pack is his ability to play essentially every single position. He is a point forward for Dakota Ridge this season and has impressive numbers as he is leading the team in every single category. He is averaging a double-double of 15.3 points and 10.2 rebounds while also dishing out 4.0 assists and recording 2.2 steals a game. He is seeing double teams and is getting better in his responses to them. He is getting the ball out quickly but still getting the ball back in positions to score. This is a trying season where he will learn a lot and I think that it sets him up for another huge summer and a highly anticipated senior season. Jackson Jr. rounds out the top-5 and will have room to grow by the time he graduates.