2021 Rankings Update: Top Newcomers
With a fresh new look to our class of 2021 player rankings in SoCal, it’s time to dig in and break down the key themes to come out of the junior class reboot. In this piece we take a look…
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Continue ReadingWith a fresh new look to our class of 2021 player rankings in SoCal, it’s time to dig in and break down the key themes to come out of the junior class reboot. In this piece we take a look at players who went from unranked to on the radar and what changed in order to make that happen.
DJ Sanders, Bonita Vista – The crafty 6-foot guard led the Barons to 20 wins this past season, scoring 19.4 points, while pulling down 7.7 rebounds and dishing out 3.6 assists per game. What we like most about Sanders is his dynamic playmaking ability in the open court. He has high level feel with the ball in his hands and uses changes of speed and direction to get to his spots. Sanders’ length, combined with his all-around IQ for the game make him an intriguing prospect who checks in at No. 56 in our updated rankings.
Josh O’Garro, Santa Clarita Christian – If we gave out an award for break out player of the season, O’Garro would be in the top three conversation. The 6-foot-5 lefty played a huge role in the Cardinals’ CIF Southern Section Division 2AA championship run with his ability to score in transition and defend multiple spots at a high level. O’Garro continued to make positive strides with his three-point and mid-range jumpers. The highly-recruited wing debuts at No. 16 in our 2021 rankings with an opportunity to climb even higher.
Marcus Greene, Etiwanda – Greene played a major role off the bench for a loaded Eagles team that reached the CIF State SoCal Open Division regional final. The 6-foot-4 forward has a burly and strong frame, but that doesn’t hurt his explosiveness one bit. Greene is one of the more underrated leapers in the class, a trait that helps him finish over length around the basket and snatch offensive and defensive boards at a high rate. Greene debuts at No. 53 with plenty of room to move up as his role will increase next season.
Remington Rofer, Loyola – The skilled big man was yet another beneficiary of an increased role. At 6-feet-8 with inside and out scoring ability, Rofer showed flashes of production and long-term upside that put him in our top 35 at No. 31. Rofer’s most transferrable skill at this point is his motor, energy and willingness to take on a leadership role. His skill set fits the mold of a modern stretch four who will have plenty of Division I looks at the end of his senior season.
Uriyah Rojas, Los Osos – We’ve always been aware of Rojas’ high IQ game, but we wanted to see him become the go-to ball handler for his high school team before finding a good spot in the rankings to place him. This year was Rojas’ breakout campaign as the 6-foot-2 true point guard guided the Grizzlies to 22 wins and a playoff berth. Rojas plays with ideal pace, makes high IQ decisions in transition and half-court settings and can turn on his scoring ability when needed.