2021 Rankings Roundtable
Yesterday our updated 2021 MD/DC player rankings published and as always, there are tons of takeaways that will be dissected in the flow of content throughout the week. To kick things off, the crew wanted to address some FAQ’s that…
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Continue ReadingYesterday our updated 2021 MD/DC player rankings published and as always, there are tons of takeaways that will be dissected in the flow of content throughout the week. To kick things off, the crew wanted to address some FAQ’s that come with the updated ranking process. Adam Ayalew, Houston Wilson and myself addressed three questions in roundtable form regarding the 2021 rankings.
1. How difficult was the ranking process given there has yet to be any high school games?
Giacubeno: It certainly did not make things easy. The ranking process is already a monster to begin with, so when you put restrictions on being able to see 50 or more percent of the players in live action, it forces us to do a lot more networking with how players are progressing. As usual, we all came together to find a happy medium and are confident with where our list stands. I’m sure portions would look different had there been a regular high school season.
Ayalew: Extremely difficult. This year has been a challenge for sure. But we’ve been fortunate to get out and see a game or two here in conjunction with events. Live streaming has been a big help as well. All in all, I feel good about the information we’ve been able to gather as a team.
Giacubeno: One player that comes to mind for me was Mount St. Joseph’s Sean Carr Sean Carr 6'6" | PF Mount St. Joseph | 2021 State MD . The 6-foot-6 forward has put in significant work on his athleticism and judging by the accessible videos, his overall game is clearly polished. I wanted to move him up higher than No. 65, but still needed that confirmation in live games to push me over the edge.
Ayalew: I truly can’t think of one specific player that was difficult to rank. The entire process is tough, but I am beyond satisfied with the effort my team and I have put in.
Giacubeno: Khyrie Staten Khyrie Staten 6'2" | CG St. Frances | 2021 State MD saw a significant boost in his ranking and it was indication for the kind of year he was primed for. The Delaware State commit reminds folks how big of a steal he was every time he takes the floor for the nationally ranked St. Frances Panthers and I believe it would’ve been a routine occurrence once again throughout his senior season.
Poly’s Trae English Trae English 5'11" | PG Baltimore Poly | 2021 State MD is another name that was set to explode. English has several DII schools tracking him and if there is a season and coaches are allowed to attend games, I’m confident the interest will quickly formulate into offers. English brings tenacious defense and a balanced approach to the offensive end from the point guard slot.
Randallstown’s Jamai Felt Jamai Felt 6'8" | C Randallstown | 2021 State MD is another name that built some momentum with his play throughout the summer heading into this winter. The 6-foot-8 southpaw is still a bit raw, but absolutely has the tools to be a productive part of a low to mid-major program’s rotation in the next couple of years.
Ayalew: I think Thomas Whitley Thomas Whitley 6'6" | PF Eleanor Roosevelt | 2021 State MD had a chance to truly breakout this season. He’s next up from Eleanor Roosevelt. Will Scherer Will Scherer 6'9" | C Gonzaga | 2021 State MD is a young man that intrigues me. He’s climbing up the ranks, but I think he could have gone higher given the type of impact he could have had at Gonzaga. Roland Polite Roland Polite 6'0" | PG Oxon Hill | 2021 State MD is a kid who has battled injuries but is finally healthy and was ready to make noise at Oxon Hill. Don’t sleep on him.
Another prospect that would have had a nice start to the season in my opinion and could have helped his case in moving up in the rankings is Kris King Kris King 6'3" | SF Archbishop Carroll | 2021 State MD . Archbishop Carroll lost some important pieces from last year and King is coming off a nice summer and I saw him as a player that could have made some noise early on in the WCAC.