Class of 2021 Stock Risers Pt. 2
This year’s junior class saw plenty of players have breakout seasons this winter, and today Prep Hoops details those 2021 prospects whose stock rose the most during the high school season! Xavier White Xavier White 6'6" | SF Hopkins |…
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Continue ReadingThis year’s junior class saw plenty of players have breakout seasons this winter, and today Prep Hoops details those 2021 prospects whose stock rose the most during the high school season!
Xavier White Xavier White 6'6" | SF Hopkins | 2021 State MN (6’5 2021 W, Hopkins)- One of the new names to know in the metro this past season was Xavier White Xavier White 6'6" | SF Hopkins | 2021 State MN , the sharpshooting wing for Hopkins. Xavier made a name for himself this year with an intriguing blend of length and athleticism to go along with his deep shooting range. He averaged 7 ppg for Hopkins which doesn’t seem extremely impressive, but considering the amount of depth that Hopkins had, it was a big contribution. Xavier worked to become a consistent starter on one of the state’s best teams, becoming one of the most promising wing prospects in the 2021 class in the process.
Dylan Gichaba Dylan Gichaba 6'5" | SF Champlin Park | 2021 State MN (6’5 2021 W, Champlin Park)- Dylan Gichaba Dylan Gichaba 6'5" | SF Champlin Park | 2021 State MN was the lanky and athletic wing seen making impressive defensive plays for Champlin Park all season. Seeing a lot of time at the top of a 1-3-1 zone, Dylan used his plus length and quick reaction time to intercept and tip passes in bunches. Often times coming up with the loose balls, Gichaba turned those steals into points on the other end with explosive finishes. He went from rarely seeing the floor as a sophomore to being a consistent contributor scoring 5.7 points and 2 boards per game. A high potential guard now ranked 32nd in the class.
Broden Lien Broden Lien 6'8" | PF ISA | 2021 MN (6’8 2021 F, Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal)- Playing at the small school level, Broden dominated as a junior and solidified himself as a scholarship level prospect. Recently pulling in his second offer, Lien has been rapidly developing as a prospect. Capable of putting up big scoring numbers or dominating on the glass, there’s a lot to like about him as a prospect. Broden has the skill to take defenders off the dribble from the wing, or get out and run like a gazelle on his way to transition dunks. Add in the touch to knock down outside shots, and the ceiling on Broden Lien Broden Lien 6'8" | PF ISA | 2021 MN is very high.
Nico Peterson Nico Peterson 6'7" | PF St. Paul Highland Park | 2021 State MN (6’5 2021 F, St. Paul Highland Park)- Nico Peterson Nico Peterson 6'7" | PF St. Paul Highland Park | 2021 State MN burst onto the scene as a promising player in the St. Paul City Conference as a junior. A wiry forward with an impressive wingspan, Nico plays much bigger than his 6’5 height suggests. Capable of elevating for dunks off a one step takeoff, Nico is an impressive athlete. That explosiveness translates to the defensive end as he challenges every shot that comes inside, and competing on the glass. Though not a bulk shooter, he’s shown the capability to knock down open looks from three. If he can improve his ball skills, he could be an intriguing player to watch as a senior.
Michael Sharp Michael Sharp 6'2" | SG Rochester Mayo | 2021 State MN (6’2 2021 G, Rochester Mayo)- With the Madsen brothers moving on to Division 1 college hoops next season, Mayo will be looking for their next scoring threat. After averaging 12 a game as a junior, Michael Sharp Michael Sharp 6'2" | SG Rochester Mayo | 2021 State MN looks ready to take on that task. A shooting threat with solid size at 6’2, Sharp was a catch and shoot threat all year with the Madsens making plays off the bounce. Michael was also able to prove that he’s more than just a shooter, occasionally showcasing his ability to beat his man off the dribble and get inside to finish.
Jalen Cook Jalen Cook 6'4" | SG Park Center | 2021 State MN (6’3 2021 G, Park Center)- Jalen Cook Jalen Cook 6'4" | SG Park Center | 2021 State MN played behind a talented group of senior this year, but made the most of his opportunities on the floor, and averaged 4.2 ppg. There’s a lot to like about a 6’3 guard with the shooting touch that Jalen has displayed throughout his career. This season he also established himself as a transition scoring threat with the ability to leak out and get to the rim. Off the ball he cuts hard to find himself in open space below the rim to finish, or in the corners to knock down threes.
Ryan Miles Ryan Miles 6'5" | SF Richfield | 2021 State MN (6’5 2021 W, Richfield)- One of the more versatile prospects I saw this year, Ryan showed that he can play the 1-3 on both ends. This year he did a little bit of everything for Richfield, finding teammates cutting to the hoop, spotting up in the corner for threes, attacking the basket off the bounce, laying out for loose balls, and blocking shots in impressive fashion for a wing. In a game against DeLaSalle that was loaded with talent, Ryan’s toughness and competitive edge stood out as he did everything he could to try to keep his team in that game. He finished with 22 points and ended up averaging 15 ppg at season’s end as Richfield capped off their breakout year.