2021 Rankings Update: Surging Wings Outside of the Top 50
We released the 2021 rankings update two weeks back with a few adjustments and plenty of new additions. We also broke down some of the top players in the class. With that, some players fall under the wayside. Here are…
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Continue ReadingWe released the 2021 rankings update two weeks back with a few adjustments and plenty of new additions. We also broke down some of the top players in the class. With that, some players fall under the wayside. Here are the top wings that are outside of the Top-50.
Griffin Lauritano Griffin Lauritano 6'4" | SF Evergreen | 2021 State CO – Evergreen
Lauritano is a multi-sport athlete that lit it up on both the gridiron and hardwood last season. Lauritano was a force to be reckoned with last season for Evergreen as he put up 18.8 points and 7.8 rebounds a game. He had his way with opposing teams inside of the paint as he got most of his work at the high post, and then instincts took over. He shot the midrange, stepped out beyond the arc, and knocked it down and finished at the rim with ease. He finishes with both hands and even had a couple of dunks throughout the year. Griffin is a player that made a significant jump but sits at the No.50 spot. Another year of dominating and I see him rising even more. He’s a player.
Tayzhean Archuleta Tayzhean Archuleta 6'4" | PF Colorado Prep | 2021 State CO – Harrison
Archuleta is a 6’4 wing that does a bit of everything. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands and sets up teammates for easy baskets while also remaining in attack mode. He lights it up from deep, and when he gets a head of steam, he is difficult to slow down. Archuleta goes after the mismatch and creates advantages with his size and speed. His ability to consistently knock down shots when he finds his rhythm as well as find creative ways to score in the half-court set. All of this makes him one of the more intriguing prospects. He is the No. 63 player in the class and can surely grow. His versatility is what separates him as he can play and defend positions 1-4, and that’s fun to watch.
Maurice Walker II Maurice Walker II 6'3" | CG Smoky Hill | 2021 CO – Smoky Hill
Walker is a player that should probably be a bit higher in all actuality. He stars in his role, and you know exactly what to expect with him. Walker is a high IQ player that does all of the little things for the Buffaloes. He crashes the boards, runs the floor for spacing and scoring opportunities, and goes out on the wing and knocks down the shot from time to time. Walker is not a player that is going to step outside of what he knows, and every team needs that kind of consistency. This would have been a summer that he easily could have rose with a big summer that he hit some big shots and helped on what was expected to be a loaded class. He is a player that I see having no choice but to step up and play better next season as Smoky Hill will rely on him for leadership and a balanced glue guy.
Cayden Mazurek Cayden Mazurek 6'3" | SG Riverdale Ridge | 2021 State CO – Riverdale Ridge
Riverdale Ridge is a team that turned some heads in 3A this year as they were able to pick up some wins and have a winning season. Their best player this season was 6’3 wing/forward, Mazurek, who showed that he could carry the team on his back with scoring and glass-cleaning. Mazurek was an All-State honorable mention after recording 11 double-doubles on the season and averaging 12.3 points and 11.8 rebounds a game. He was also the team’s best playmaker and assist-man despite playing in the middle a lot of the time with three assists a game. All that he did offensively as well as playing the passing lanes and taking the ball from opposing teams at a beat of 2.5 steals while also being the team’s best rim protector had him in elite company of leading the team in basically every single category—solid year as he jumps onto out rankings list at No.88.
Kyle Miller Kyle Miller 6'5" | SF Pueblo East | 2021 State CO – Pueblo East
A player that we might have overlooked and had a bit too low is 6’4 wing Kyle Miller Kyle Miller 6'5" | SF Pueblo East | 2021 State CO from Pueblo East. Pueblo East was an exciting team that racked up many wins by playing the right way and a team that ultimately bought in. One of the main pieces that kept the team together and added versatility and a change of pace was Kyle Miller Kyle Miller 6'5" | SF Pueblo East | 2021 State CO . Miller was a player that got out on the wing, defender down low while securing boards and starting the break as well as scoring when called upon. He scored in various ways and was always a scoring threat. He is at the bottom of the list, but it is based on not seeing him enough. That’ll change soon and his ranking with it.