2021 Rankings Update: Breaking Down the Top 10
1. Michael Foster (Milwaukee Washington/Milwaukee Spartans-Rebels)
Foster helped lead Milwaukee Washington to a runner-up finish in the Division 2 state tournament. He averaged 18.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game as a freshman. The Arizona State commit might be the No. 1 overall player in the class of 2021. Very physically advanced
for his age, Foster should actually be entering high school next year. A 6-foot-9 dominant post prospect with guard-like skills, Foster’s ability and upside is flat out scary.
2. Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Sussex Hamilton/Phenom University)
A top 25 prospect nationally, if not higher, Baldwin is a sweet shooting wing with NBA potential. At 6-foot-8, Baldwin can create just about any look he wants. Taking Sussex Hamilton to the Division 1 state semifinals as a freshman, Baldwin averaged 16.3 points per game, while shooting above 61 percent from the field.
3. David Joplin (Brookfield Central/Phenom University)
A lot of years, this would be the No. 1 player in Wisconsin. Joplin really turned a corner late in the spring evaluation period and started to climb towards his high ceiling. A versatile combo forward, Joplin is a potential mismatch nightmare. He averaged 10.7 points and 8.6 rebounds on a very deep and talented Brookfield Central squad.
4. Brayden Dailey (Mineral Point/Wisconsin Swing)
Put up huge numbers as a freshman, averaging 21.3 points per game. A skilled and versatile forward, Dailey can score from all three levels. A terrific 3-point shooter, Dailey will kill teams who let him wander the arc without resistance. He’s a bit unorthodox with his release, particularly around the rim, but you can’t argue the production in high school and AAU. Already 6-foot-5, Dailey could develop into a very intriguing forward prospect, especially if he keeps growing and adds muscle.
5. Grant Flory (Neenah/Wisconsin Swing)
Averaged just shy of 11 points per game as a freshman. A player you’ll hear a lot more about this summer and next season as he continues to get his name out there, Flory is a blue collar and skilled forward prospect. He can shoot the basketball and take people off the dribble. Has no problem handling the ball in transition and on the perimeter. The skills are there to be a sought after Division 1 talent.
6. Ben Nau (Brookfield Central/Phenom University)
High-IQ floor general that makes winning plays. Balances being a facilitator and scorer as well as anybody in the state. Nau takes over in late game situations and makes good decisions with the basketball. Also a standout defender, Nau is one of the best charge takers in the country. Maybe limited physically and athletically, but definitely a player you want on your team and will win a ton of games at the high school and AAU levels.
7. Cameron Palesse (Waukesha West/Phenom University)
Played very well in the Nike EYBL and boosted his stock this spring. A lengthy slasher, Palesse is a tough finisher around the rim. Defensively, Palesse can impact games by shutting off drives and play the passing lanes. He’s a reliable mid-range shooter, but if he can improve his 3-point stroke and learn to be more of a creator off the bounce, Palesse has a chance to be one of the best two-way players in the state.
8. Jakobe Thompson (Racine Case/Milwaukee Spartans-Rebels)
Explosive scorer and playmaker with the ball in his hands. His size may affect his production later in his career, but Thompson did average 19.7 points per game as a freshman. Thompson had some big games against terrific competition — scoring 19 against Milwaukee Riverside, 21 versus Franklin, and 25 against The Prairie School. We know Thompson can score. His ability to crack the top five will depend on whether or not he rounds out his game and develops into more of a floor general and improve defensively.
9. James Graham (University School/Phenom University)
In terms of somebody who could be the biggest riser in this class in three years, Graham has that potential. He’s not a household name yet in Wisconsin and maybe we’re ranking him too high right now, but we saw some major flashes this spring that were very exciting. On a loaded Phenom University squad, Graham had some big spurts offensively. A 6-foot-6 small forward that can handle and shoot the basketball, particularly from mid-range, Graham has three-level scoring upside and at his size, length, and athleticism, could quickly explode into a high major level player.
10. Sam Kick (Onalaska/Wisconsin Playmakers)
Onalaska is typically a senior-laden team that features a handful of players who pay their dues. Therefore, it’s tough for underclassmen to really burst onto the scene at one of the state’s most consistent programs, but that’s exactly what Kick did. Kick averaged just shy of 10 points per game last season, while shooting 56 percent from downtown. A skilled shot maker who’s a crafty playmaker as well, Kick earned his way into the top 10 during the travel season.
Also considered: Tanner Resch (Sussex Hamilton), Tyrese Hunter (Racine St. Catherine’s), Ronja Kelly (Milwaukee Lutheran), Logan Landers (Brookfield Academy), Zac Johnson (River Falls), Jadon Melvin (Hartford)