Updated 2021 Rankings: Biggest Risers
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With the new rankings, there are plenty of kids that have improved or we simply ranked too low to begin with and they showed us that we were wrong. We take a look at eight guys who rose through the…
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Continue ReadingWith the new rankings, there are plenty of kids that have improved or we simply ranked too low to begin with and they showed us that we were wrong. We take a look at eight guys who rose through the rankings with their play since our last update.
Jason Nelson Jason Nelson 5'8" | PG John Marshall | 2021 State VA | 5’9” PG | John Marshall
Previous Rank:#19
Current Rank: #12
The U of R commit is a guy who has steadily rose through the rankings as he continuously proves the doubters wrong about his ability to lead his team at his size. Nelson is the ultimate floor general as he can lead the team as both a scorer and a playmaker, he can guard the best player on the other team and he has this competitive drive that you just can’t teach. He’s already won two state championships including one last year, and he’s going to a program and system that fits him very well.
Xzavier Long Xzavier Long 6'6" | PF VA Academy | 2021 State VA | 6’6” PF | VA Academy
Previous Rank: #23
Current Rank: #15
With small ball becoming more and more common at the next level, it’s a shame more people haven’t realized the value that a guy like Long can bring with his versatility as size at the four spot. Sure he’s a little on the short side but he’s strong and athletic in the paint, he can step out and make shots and put it on the deck on the perimeter and he’s a capable and willing passer as well. He’s a walking mismatch that doesn’t mind whether he’s on the perimeter or in the post, and he’s a guy who could fit into many systems at the next level.
Quentin Livingston Quentin Livingston 6'4" | SF Kings Fork | 2021 State VA | 6’4” WF | King’s Fork
Previous Rank: #29
Current Rank: #21
Livingston is a guy who missed an opportunity to bump his stock this summer, but still took advantage of the CBG Fall Series and a few other events this fall to show that he may be one of the most under recruited guys in the state. He’s an energetic wing that’s versatile on both ends, he’s athletic and is fearless around the rim and he’s a stat sheet stuffer that can efficiently score it and make plays for others. He’s the type of kid who you may doubt at one point, but if someone else in your league has him you’re not going to look forward to playing him the next few years.
Chris Kuzemka Chris Kuzemka 5'11" | PG Centreville | 2021 State VA | 6’1” PG | Centreville
Previous Rank: #55
Current Rank: #42
Kuzemka was someone I was high on as a young player but he dealt with some injuries over the past few years that has limited his time on the court, but he got back this summer and fall and showed that he’s healthy and he’s still got it. He’s a tough nosed lead guard that can run the team and get you into sets, he has great feel and the ability to make plays for others and he’s dynamic off the bounce which allows him to live in the lane. He’s a three level scorer and an underrated athlete and he’ll bring it every day as well.
Cam Edmonds Cam Edmonds 6'2" | CG Western Branch | 2021 State VA | 6’2” G | Western Branch
Previous Rank: #53
Current Rank: #43
Edmonds was one of the breakout players in the 757 over the past year or so, and he’s seeing his stock rise but is still under the radar compared to some of the other guards in the area. A combo guard that can play on or off the ball, Edmonds can flat out fill it up, comes at you over and over again and is an excellent shooter from behind the arc. He’s a consistent scorer that can also make plays for others and he can make plays on the defensive end as well.
Caleb Furr Caleb Furr 6'6" | PF Highland School | 2021 State VA | 6’7” F | Highland School
Previous Rank: #76
Current Rank: #45
Furr is a tweeter that’s going to have some doubters because of what position he can play at the next level, but he has the type of game that just screams service academy or high academic division one to me with his size and ability to make shots from all over. The 6’7” forward is a guys who has a picture perfect jumper with great rotation, he’s consistent from behind the arc and he’s able to get to spots in the midrange where he can shoot over top of smaller guys. He’s someone who can play multiple positions and his versatility makes him a mismatch problem moving forward.
Cam Cormany Cam Cormany 6'0" | SG Radford | 2021 State VA | 6’0” CG | Radford
Previous Rank: #89
Current Rank: #46
No one jumped as many spots as Cormany, who if you do the math jumped 43 spots since the last rankings, and that’s simply because I underestimated how well-rounded his game was until I saw him late last season and during the fall this year. Cormany played off the ball as a freshman and sophomore and showed that he can really stroke it from deep, but once he moved on the ball he showed he’s quicker off the bounce than he looks and he has great wiggle and the ability to create space to make shots. He received an offer from Navy and jumped all over it, and will some work on his body and his game he could be a steal in the Patriot League.
Neil Hill Neil Hill 6'6" | SG James River | 2021 State VA | 6’5” WF | James River
Previous Rank: #78
Current Rank: #61
Hill is a guy I have liked since the moment I saw him, but it’s fair to say I may have underestimated what level he could go to because he struck me as the does everything good but nothing great guy, but that isn’t exactly a bad thing. Hill is a Swiss-army knife kind of guy that can play almost any position on the floor and is capable of leading his team in scoring, rebounding or assists on any given day. He’s smart and always around the ball, he plays with good energy and he’s being recruited by a number of scholarship level players.