2021 Diamonds in the Rough
In this article:
The 2021 class is filled with star power as Jonathan Kuminga Jonathan Kuminga 6'8" | SF Patrick School | 2020 #1 Nation NJ and Trey Patterson Trey Patterson 6'7" | SF Rutgers Prep | 2021 State #36 Nation NJ are…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 2021 class is filled with star power as Jonathan Kuminga Jonathan Kuminga 6'8" | SF Patrick School | 2020 #1 Nation NJ and Trey Patterson Trey Patterson 6'7" | SF Rutgers Prep | 2021 State #36 Nation NJ are both two of the top 40 players in the nation. Kuminga is not the only high level junior at the Patrick School as Adama Sanogo Adama Sanogo 6'9" | PF Patrick School | 2020 NJ and Bretner Mutombo Bretner Mutombo 6'11" | C Hamilton Heights | 2021 State #227 Nation TN both have offers from high major schools. Samson Johnson Samson Johnson 6'10" | PF Patrick School | 2021 State #145 Nation NJ emerged as a big-time shot-blocker for the Celtics, making him one of the more intriguing prospects in his class. The junior class is full of under the radar players who deserve more recognition. Here are the top diamonds in the rough for the 2021 class.
PG: Christian Cevis Christian Cevis 6'0" | PG West Morris | 2021 State NJ 6’0 West Morris
West Morris repeated as Morris County Tournament champions behind Cevis’ play at the point. The NJAC Player of the Year is one of the top floor generals in New Jersey with his combination of poise and vision. Cevis makes plays off the bounce and can bury shots from behind the arc. Defensively, he has quick hands and knows how to beat his man to the spot. Cevis has the talent to play D1 basketball and has proven that over the last two seasons.
SG: Bakir Cleveland Bakir Cleveland 6'4" | SG University | 2021 State NJ 6’4 University
Senior Noah Mack Noah Mack 6'2" | CG University | 2020 State NJ and junior Justin Harcourt Justin Harcourt 6'5" | SF University | 2021 State NJ were impact players for the Phoenix this season, but Cleveland was the go-to scorer for the North Jersey 2 Group 1 champions. The 6’4 guard is at his best attacking the basket as he knows how to finish through contact. Cleveland has a good mid-range game and is an underrated passer. He is a tough on-ball defender and solid rebounder. Cleveland’s ability to impact the game on both ends makes him an intriguing wing option in the 2021 class.
SF: Zaba Bangala Zaba Bangala 6'8" | SF Trinity | 2021 State NV , 6’8 SF St. Benedict’s
The Grey Bees were one of the top teams in the nation last season and Bangala was a big reason why. The Swedish native plays with a high motor on both ends of the floor and is a tough defender down low. Bangala uses his strong frame to create shots for himself around the basket and knows how to finish through contact. He has a soft touch around the basket and is one of the best rebounders in the junior class. Bangala has the potential to play big-time college basketball and is one of the most slept on prospects in the junior class.
PF: Kyle Rhoden Kyle Rhoden 6'9" | PF Peddie | 2022 OH , 6’9 PF Ranney
Rhoden missed the majority of his junior season due to transfer and injury, but was able to stand out when he was on the floor. The 6’9 forward is one of the top shot-blockers in the class with his combination of length and athleticism. Rhoden has nice footwork down low and is developing his range. He is a good ball-handler for a power forward and is a rugged rebounder. Rhoden is a prospect that D1 programs should have on their radar because of his ability to block shots.
C: Chris Jiao Chris Jiao 6'11" | C Patrick School | 2021 State NJ 6’11 C Patrick School
With Kuminga, Sanogo, Mutombo and Johnson all in the junior class, it’s easy to see how Jiao is overlooked. The Chinese native is the modern day big as he has range that extends to the three-point line. Jiao is a tough rebounder down low who scraps for offensive rebounds. He plays with composure and rarely seems to get flustered by the moment. Jiao’s ability to impact that game inside and out makes him an interesting prospect for coaches to look at.
Other Names to Know:
Keith Mency Keith Mency 6'1" | CG Marist | 2021 NY , 6’1 CG Marist
Tazir Cantey Tazir Cantey 6'0" | PG Eastern | 2021 State NJ , 6’0 PG Lindenwold
Dominic Barlow, 6’7 SF Dumont
Kunga Tsering Kunga Tsering 6'6" | SF Woodstock Academy | 2022 State NLG , 6’6 SF Hasbrouck Heights
Wesley Robinson Wesley Robinson 6'6" | PF Life Center Academy | 2021 State NJ , 6’6 PF Life Center Academy
Chris Rubayo Chris Rubayo 6'8" | PF Montgomery | 2021 State NJ , 6’8 PF Montgomery