Iowa Class of 2021: Biggest Risers
We recently published our newly updated rankings for the Class of 2021, and we’re taking a look at some of the players who took the biggest rise up the rankings.
Emarion Ellis Emarion Ellis 6'4" | SF Assumption | 2021 State #141 Nation IA | SF | Assumption | 5 to 3
Sure, a jump up two spots may not seem huge, but with the depth and talent of this class, it’s significant. Ellis, a long, athletic wing who is just scratching the surface of what he could become, ended up committing to Shaka Smart and Texas after a very productive summer with the Iowa Barnstormers. He’ll fit in perfectly in Smart’s system that emphasizes length, athleticism and quickness. With a rapidly developing skill set, he has made a remarkable rise up the rankings in the last two years, and in most years, he’d be a shoo-in for the #1 spot in the class.
Landon Wolf Landon Wolf 6'5" | CG Cedar Falls | 2021 State IA | SG | Cedar Falls | 7 to 4
Like Ellis, his grassroots teammate, Wolf didn’t make a huge jump, but he did burst into the top five with his showing over the summer. He has racked up a slew of Division I offers. He’s one of the best shooters in the state and has a knack for delivering big shots in key moments, as was evidenced by his play at one particular tournament this summer in which he had three game-winners. A big wing who can score in bunches, he’s another player who is just starting to put it all together. The sky is the limit.
Reid Grant Reid Grant 6'1" | PG Johnston | 2021 State IA | CG | Johnston | 20 to 8
Grant has long been one of my favorite players because all he does is make the right plays. He’s a winner, through and through, and he was rewarded this summer with a handful of Division I offers. He choose to take the offer from North Dakota, continuing the UND-Iowa pipeline that has developed over the last five years. A heady guard who does everything well, he’s going to make UND very happy with his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.
Jaylon Moses Jaylon Moses 6'8" | PF Xavier | 2021 State IA | PF | Xavier | 23 to 16
Talent has never been the question with Moses; health has been. And he finally put together a healthy offseason with Martin Brothers, and was able to showcase what he can do. At 6-9 and with excellent length, Moses has a unique set of skills, with the ability to score inside and out, handle, pass and protect the rim. He probably won’t ever become the player that he was hyped up to be before his high school career started (two ACL injuries sapped some of the outstanding athleticism), but he’s rounding into form now and starting to become a really strong player on both ends of the floor. A college willing to take a chance on him could end up with a steal.
Landon Eiland Landon Eiland 6'4" | SF North Scott | 2021 State IA | SF | North Scott | 33 to 18
Eiland is headed to Truman State to play for former Hawkeye Jeff Horner, who has hit Iowa hard since taking over as the Bulldogs’ head coach. A long, athletic scoring wing who can also defend multiple spots on the perimeter, Eiland was a role player for a talented Lancers team last season, but will have a chance to break out this year as the go-to threat for North Scott.
Majok Majouk Majok Majouk 6'7" | SF Sergeant-Bluff Luton | 2021 State IA | F | Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 42 to 32
Majouk committed to play his college ball at D2 Southwest Minnesota State over the summer, joining high school teammate Jake Layman Jake Layman 6'7" | SF Sergeant-Bluff Luton | 2021 State IA . An extremely long, rail thin forward, Majouk has an overwhelming wingspan and can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. With his length, he protects the rim at a high level but can also defend on the ball effectively.
Carter Janssen Carter Janssen 6'5" | SF Cedar Falls | 2021 State IA | SF | Cedar Falls | 38 to 33
A very skilled, 6-5 wing who excels at making plays with the ball in his hands, Janssen put together a solid summer playing with Martin Brothers. He has good size, handles it well and is an excellent passer. He can defend multiple positions, is a solid shooter and he contributes across the board. Some D2 or NAIA school is going to get a great player when they pull the trigger on Janssen.
Ra’mir Scott Ra’mir Scott 5'11" | PG Waterloo East | 2021 State IA | PG | Waterloo East | 39 to 34
Scott is an exceptional athlete who delivered time and time again for Waterloo Salvation this summer. A big-shot lead guard who thrives on getting downhill and finishing at the rim, he plays much bigger than his listed height of 5-9 because of that eye-popping athleticism.
John Miller John Miller 5'10" | PG Davenport Central | 2021 State IA | PG | Davenport Central | 53 to 37
A big, physical lead guard, Miller is another guard who can get to the bucket but is equally adept at pulling up and knocking down a 3 in the defender’s eye. He’s a strong on-ball defender who moves his feet well and has the strength and frame to body up bigger guards and wings.
Jack Groeteke Jack Groeteke 6'9" | C Dowling Catholic | 2021 State IA | PF | Dowling Catholic | 71 to 41
Groeteke is a very intriguing prospect at the next level because of his unique blend of size (6-10), length (massive wingspan) and shooting ability. He’s a knockdown shooter who can light up the scoreboard in a hurry, and he’s also a rim protector. That’s the type of player that college programs covet in modern basketball. He needs to add weight and strength, and we’ll see how he plays in a big role for the Maroons this season, but the upside is unquestionable.
Marcus Kelderman Marcus Kelderman 6'1" | SG Boyden-Hull | 2021 State IA | SG | Boyden-Hull | 68 to 46
Kelderman was a star at the 2A state tournament in March, helping lead the Comets to the championship, and he carried that strong play into the summer. A smooth lefty with a great first step and the ability to get to the bucket for tough finishes, he’s going to score a ton of points this year for Boyden-Hull.
Chase Bartlett Chase Bartlett 6'2" | SG Southeast Polk | 2021 State IA | SG | Southeast Polk | 107 to 58
Bartlett makes a big leap up the rankings because of his shooting ability. He’s a knockdown shooter who can get red hot and carry a team for stretches, and projects as a solid 3-and-D wing at the next level.