Class of 2021: Top Ten
We are working hard on our updated player rankings and as we’ve often said about the Class of 2021, it’s deep. We’ve had the opportunity to watch many of the state’s top juniors in action this season and for the…
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Continue ReadingWe are working hard on our updated player rankings and as we’ve often said about the Class of 2021, it’s deep. We’ve had the opportunity to watch many of the state’s top juniors in action this season and for the most part, everyone has performed at a high level as expected. As we work on the full rankings, we do feel we have settled upon an updated top 10. Here’s a quick look at the top juniors.
1. Nathan Bittle, Crater
Bittle remains the state’s top junior – and for good reason. The 6-foot-11 big man has been as dominant as advertised, averaging over 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game. He’s saved some of his biggest games against the top competition with 41 points against Clackamas, 31/16 against Churchill, and 28 points against nationally ranked Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas. Bittle has been more active in attacking the glass and dominating inside while still maintaining his ability to knock down threes. His national ranking continues to rise into the Top 15 and he continues to be recruited as a high level, taking official visits to Arizona, Gonzaga, and UCLA this school year.
2. Ben Gregg, Clackamas
Gregg stays at #2 and has proven that for him, that classification is nothing but a number. The 6-foot-8 forward has stepped up to the 6A level and done just as much damage as he did previously at 2A Columbia Christian. He’s been dominant offensively by getting points down low as well as on the perimeter from three-point range. He’s averaging 21 points, nine rebounds, and two blocked shots per game while leading Clackamas to the top of the Mt. Hood Conference standings, playing great team ball and showing the willingness to trust his teammates. Gregg holds scholarship offers from Pac-12 schools such as Oregon, Oregon State, and USC and other national programs such as Gonzaga and Virginia have shown interest as he’s emerged as a nationally ranked Top 100 player.
3. Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge, Jefferson
Rawlins-Kibonge is one of the few players in the state that can dominate a game without necessarily doing damage on the offensive end. The 6-foot-7 post is still averaging in double figures points (12 ppg) but it’s his ability to rebound (at over 12 boards a game) and defend (almost 5 blocks per contest) that makes him such an impact player. Rawlins-Kibonge has flirted with posting a triple double on a couple of occasions and he’s become the de facto leader of the Demos as they chase a 6A state title. A basketball commit to Washington State, he’s recently become a white-hot recruiting target for football, picking up offers from Oklahoma, Nebraska, Miami (FL), Oregon State, and others.
4. Kamron Robinson, Jefferson
Robinson is arguably the top post scorer in the state. The 6-foot-9 has good hands and footwork and is near automatic around the hoop, shooting over 61 percent from the field so far this year. One of Robinson’s specialties is his ability to clean up his own misses as he seems to often know where his shot is going so he can retrieve it. The junior isn’t locked down in the paint too as he can step out and knock down the three on occasion (at around 47 percent) and also put the ball on the floor and attack off the bounce. Robinson currently holds offers from Montana and Pacific and high-major conference schools are watching.
5. Drew Carter, Tigard
Carter moves up into the top 5 as he’s put together an outstanding junior campaign so far. The 6-foot-3 wing has taken the baton from Stevie Schlabach and has emerged as Tigard’s bona fide top scorer and is challenging for the 6A scoring title at over 25 points per game. Still a deadeye shooter from the outside, Carter is now also attacking the basket and using his athleticism to finish above the rim. He’s helped Tigard achieve a top eight OSAA power ranking and is arguably the frontrunner for Three Rivers League Player of the Year. Carter holds a scholarship offer from Portland State and other schools are surely watching but the question will be if hoops is his future or if things pick up for him with football.
6. Darius Gakwasi, Central Catholic
To be completely truthful it’s been a little up-and-down for Gakwasi his junior season at Central Catholic, but you could also argue that the Rams are incredibly balanced so they don’t necessarily need the 6-foot-5 wing to do a ton of scoring. He’s still averaging around 14 points per game and still incredibly skilled and versatile as a perimeter player, able to play multiple positions on both ends of the floor. Gakwasi maintains a scholarship offer from Portland other schools remain in contact.
7. Nate Meithof, McNary
One of rising members of the Class of 2021 is undoubtedly Meithof, who has been the man for McNary this season. The 6-foot-4 wing has been putting together a “Big Dog” run of sorts, for those of you that remember Glenn Robinson with Purdue in the early 1990’s. Meithof has been putting a very young Celtics team on his back leading them in scoring (23+ ppg) and rebounding (10+ rpg) and has them in post-season contention. The lefty can score in a multitude of ways and is just starting to get on the recruiting radar of WCC and Big Sky schools.
8. Trace Salton, Lake Oswego
Lake Oswego graduated a deep senior class from last season and it’s provided the opportunity for Salton to really step up his junior season. The 6-foot-5 forward has been very tough down low and is continuing to improve his perimeter shooting and ability to create off of the bounce. Averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds, Salton has been a huge reason why Lake Oswego is currently undefeated in the TRL and on the verge of capturing another conference title. He’s earned an early scholarship offer from St. Martin’s and other schools have shown interest.
9. Dane Erikstrup, Beaverton
A newcomer to the Top 10 is Erikstrup, who has emerged as a legitimate force in the paint this season at Beaverton. He’s grown a couple of inches to 6-foot-9 and has shown plenty of skills down in the post, with good footwork and touch on his shot, along with the ability to finish with both hands. Erikstrup can also step away from the basket to face up and knock down jumpers, out past three-point range. An underrated passer, overall Erikstrup is is averaging almost 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Division I and II schools are starting to get in contact.
10. Damontae Burns, Parkrose
Rounding out the current Top Ten is Burns, who after flirting with transferring to both Clackamas and Jefferson, has remained at Parkrose. The 6-foot-1 combo guard known as “Tay Tay” is flourishing in a new role as more of a main guy on offense after being more of a secondary player the past couple of seasons. Burns can shoot from the outside but is especially dangerous in transition as he has the athleticism to finish plays at the rim. So far he’s averaging 17 points and 5 assists while leading the Broncos to a good position to make a run at the state tournament.