Top Prospects from Idaho’s Class of 2021: Part One
It is time to take a look at the top prospects for the Class of 2021. With these juniors about to become seniors, these are the players who have the opportunity to show that they are top prospects for a…
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Continue ReadingIt is time to take a look at the top prospects for the Class of 2021. With these juniors about to become seniors, these are the players who have the opportunity to show that they are top prospects for a college program. With excellent players graduating in 2020 who have dominated high school basketball over the last couple of years in Idaho, the Class of 2021 seems like it is anyone’s game to take over. Our latest rankings have a chance to really change over the next year. This is going to be a fun class to watch to see which player becomes that top prospect by the end of next year. Wing players dominated the Class of 2020; however, with the Class of 2021, there are elite point guard prospects as well as talented post players. With that, let’s dive into part one of the top prospects in this class.
Whit Miller Whit Miller 6'2" | SG Boise | 2021 State ID – 6’2 SG, Boise
While Whit Miller Whit Miller 6'2" | SG Boise | 2021 State ID bills himself as a combo guard, I see his potential as a point guard at the next level. He has excellent handles that he uses to get into the lane. He has an excellent shot from deep that he can pull-up on a dime and take. With those offensive tools in mind, his most valuable asset is what he is able to do in the lane. Miller uses his agility and quick first step to get into the lane where he can wreck defenses with an elite floater and excellent touch off of the glass. Miller has incredible court vision; he can find an open teammate anywhere on the court. His passing and decision coupled with his size makes him an intriguing point guard prospect.
Jaden Hansen Jaden Hansen 6'1" | PG Rocky Mountain | 2021 State ID – 6’1 PG, Rocky Mountain
Hansen is a completely different type of point guard prospect compared to Miller. Hansen is an elite defensive prospect. Hansen’s game is predicated on continuous hustle and energy. He works hard the entire time that he is out there on the court. Hansen is a competitor who uses length, strength, and speed to lock-down opposing point guards and disrupt every passing lane. He has the skills to guard an individual the entire 94-foot length of the court. He is a high IQ player who has good instincts passing the ball and is always looking to start a fast break. He is fearless and relentless in the paint. Hansen has a tendency to win rebounding duels with even the tallest guys on this list. Rocky Mountain teammate Townsend Tripple Townsend Tripple 6'7" | PF Rocky Mountain | 2020 State ID gave us a hint that Hansen will be just the type of player who a college coach is looking for.
Caden McLean Caden McLean 6'0" | PG Post Falls | 2021 State ID – 6’0 PG, Post Falls
Yet another different type of point guard prospect than the other two of McLean’s peers listed above him. McLean was the only junior who was on the first or second All-Idaho 5A team. McLean was one of the most improved players who I saw last year. He might be the best outside shooter on this list. He has a natural stroke from behind the arch. Able to pull-up off the dribble, shoot off of screen action, or find his way to an open part of a zone as a zone-breaker, McLean is an elite offensive threat. He has the ability to pass, he has the length and foot speed to defend; however, his most prominent skill is his elite outside shooting. He is the son of two time 5A state championship winning coach in Idaho, and Caden plays with the IQ that comes with spending a lifetime in a gym, watching practices, and crunching film. McLean worked hard this year to be the co-player of the year in the 5A Inland Empire Conference. He is poised to have a big year for a talented Post Falls team in 2021.
Cooper Lumsden Cooper Lumsden 6'3" | SG Timberline | 2021 State ID – 6’3 SG, Timberline
Lumsden is a prototypical 2-guard. He has excellent length that allows him to get his shot off over players who are taller than him. His shot is the important thing in that sentence as he is an elite shooter from deep. He has college to NBA range. He really utilizes screen action in order to get his looks. Lumsden has the length and athleticism to be competitive on the boards and contest shots by opposing wing players. However, his shooting prowess is his calling card and should serve him well going forward.
Brody Rowbury Brody Rowbury 6'11" | C Meridian | 2021 State ID – 6’11 C, Meridian
The tallest player on this list, Rowbury is a strong, dominating post player. He shot a scorching 44% from beyond the arch during his junior season. His high school team plays primarily man-to-man which puts Rowbury in a poor position against quicker post players. However, for a team that plays an extended 2-3 zone, Rowbury would be the perfect player to man the middle of that zone. He would absolutely be able to clog the lane with his size and length. When he is in position around the basket, he cannot be out-rebounded. Offensively, it would be good to see Rowbury take greater advantage of smaller players who are put on him. Though, Rowbury has already proved that he has an elite skill as a college level stretch-five. Being able to clear the lane offensively to allow space for attacking wing players is definitely an advantage. No doubt that Rowbury is one of the top basketball prospects in the state.
Sean Austin Sean Austin 6'2" | PG Kuna | 2021 State ID – 6’2 PG, Kuna
One of the top quarterbacks in Idaho plays point guard like a play-making quarterback. Watching how Kuna plays, Austin has the ball in his hands every time up the court. At that point, there is a screen that is set on his defender, and then, Austin plays a game called “pick-your-poison.” If the defender goes under the screen, Austin has an excellent 3-point shot that he puts up quick. If the defender goes over the screen and the help defender steps out, Austin passes to the rolling player. If the help defender does not step out, Austin will use his speed and athleticism to attack the hoop and make plays. Defensively, he can guard the wing position. Overall, Austin is a highly intriguing point guard prospect.
Benny Kitchel Benny Kitchel 6'3" | SG Moscow | 2021 State ID – 6’3 SG, Moscow
Kitchel has a great skill-set as a 2-guard. He can initiate the offense when called upon and be a willing facilitator for his teammates. He can make contested 3’s if the situation calls for it. However, when you watch Kitchel, what stands out is what he can do attacking the hoop. He has good strength that allows him to bully physically smaller defenders in the post before making a turnaround shot. He can drive and make stop-and-pops, and around the basket, Kitchel is able to use that strength to finish through contact. He has excellent touch that allows him to finish over size. As a prospect, Kitchel is a compelling, versatile 2-guard.
Honorable Mention:
Taede Stucki Taede Stucki 6'2" | SG Middleton | 2021 State ID – 6’2 SG, Middleton
McKay Anderson McKay Anderson 6'0" | PG Meridian | 2021 State ID – 6’0 PG, Meridian
Kenyon SpottedHorse Kenyon SpottedHorse 6'0" | PG Lakeside | 2021 State ID – 6’0 PG, Lakeside
Covy Kelly Covy Kelly 6'0" | PG Garden Valley | 2021 State ID – 6’0 PG, Garden Valley
Luke Hoetker Luke Hoetker 6'0" | PG Borah | 2021 State ID – 6’0 PG, Borah