It seems like class of 2021 players across the country are pulling the trigger on commitments early than they would in a normal year. As we all know this certainly isn’t a normal year as the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the number of events and participants across the country.
In the Southern California recruiting landscape, many of the top 2021 prospects have pledged to Division I programs as the CIF Southern Section has decided to delay its season until March 12th at the earliest. With the altered season, rising seniors have even less time to be evaluated live by college coaches and we wanted to highlight some of the best available prospects in SoCal.
Nolan NaessNolanNaess6'7" | PFLaguna Beach | 2021State, Laguna Beach - The 6-foot-7 forward is as solid as they come when talking about basketball IQ, intangibles and versatility. Naess understands how to play in a system and knows what parts of his game work best for him. He can stretch the floor with the three-point shot, but is also great at cutting into and exposing the weak spots of a defense. Naess is a very good passer out of high and low post positions.
Melo Sanchez
MeloSanchez6'4" | CGMater Dei Catholic | 2021State, Mater Dei
It seems like class of 2021 players across the country are pulling the trigger on commitments early than they would in a normal year. As we all know this certainly isn’t a normal year as the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the number of events and participants across the country.
In the Southern California recruiting landscape, many of the top 2021 prospects have pledged to Division I programs as the CIF Southern Section has decided to delay its season until March 12th at the earliest. With the altered season, rising seniors have even less time to be evaluated live by college coaches and we wanted to highlight some of the best available prospects in SoCal.
Nolan NaessNolanNaess6'7" | PFLaguna Beach | 2021State, Laguna Beach - The 6-foot-7 forward is as solid as they come when talking about basketball IQ, intangibles and versatility. Naess understands how to play in a system and knows what parts of his game work best for him. He can stretch the floor with the three-point shot, but is also great at cutting into and exposing the weak spots of a defense. Naess is a very good passer out of high and low post positions.
Melo SanchezMeloSanchez6'4" | CGMater Dei Catholic | 2021State, Mater Dei Catholic - Sanchez might not have the speed or explosiveness like some of the guards and wings we mentioned in this series, but the 6-foot-4 guard/wing makes up for it with his craftiness and high basketball IQ. Sanchez has three-level scoring ability and looks to be most effective at the mid-range spot with his pull-up jumper.
Derrien Carter-HollingerDerrienCarter-Hollinger6'4" | SFFoothills Christian | 2021State, Foothills-Christian - Carter-Hollinger is smart and poised in every situation and always seems to make the right decision. The 6-foot-5 wing is a competitor on both ends, can rebound, push the break and find an open teammate and is a guy who uses his long legs and arms to get to the rack in the half-court setting.
Godfrey LittleGodfreyLittle6'2" | SGRoosevelt | 2021State, Eastvale Roosevelt - Little is one of the more prolific perimeter shooters in the region. The 6-foot-1 shooting guard gets great lift on his shot, stops and rises on a dime, and always releases at the peak of his jump. Little knocks down the three-ball consistently when coming off of screens or getting a couple rhythm dribbles in before pulling up.
MeloSanchez6'4" | CGMater Dei Catholic | 2021State, Mater Dei