Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Pottsville, PA (Future150) -- It's time to take a look at the #30-#21 in the country for the class of 2021 rankings, and Nevada guard Jaden Hardy makes a splash after a huge summer and an explosive start to his high school career out West. Here's some info on 10 elite prospects in the class early on:
#21 | Moussa Diabate - A rapidly improving 6'10" post who plays at Florida Prep (FL), he's making a case for the best post prospect in the class early on. A native of Paris, France, he just moved to the states last year. Already, he has offers from Memphis, Georgia Tech, UNLV, Virginia Tech and Miami (FL), and that list should continue to grow in 2018.
#22 | Darius Gakwasi - An athletic 6'4"+ shooting guard prospect hailing from Portland Central Catholic (OR), he's had a solid start to his varsity career after a big middle school career. He checks a lot of boxes as far as projections go, including a picture-perfect jumper and fluid athleticism. We expect the rest of the West Coast to start hopping on board very soon.
#23 | Meechie Johnson - The 6'0" point guard prospect has come out of the gates hot at Garfield Heights (OH) in Cleveland. Not only has he been able to create his own buzz while playing with elite 2019 forward Alonzo Gaffney, but he's managed to star in his own way as well. An electric scorer, he already has a 50 point game to his name this season, and he continues to improve overall as a guard prospect.
#24 | Paolo Banchero - Since impressing us at 7th Grade AAU Nationals two years ago with Seattle Rotary (WA), he's continued to improve and diversify his game. Now 6'8", the forward has been having a big freshman season at O'Dea High School (WA). He already holds an offer from the Washington Huskies, and is also one of the state's most touted football prospects at quarterback. If he keeps growing, will he grow out of football? Only time will tell. Either way, he has a very bright future as an athlete.
#25 | Nnanna Njoku - A throwback style, back-to-the-basket post, Njoku uses his strong 6’8” frame and a great set of hands and feet to dominate on the low block. Njoku thrived as a go-to scoring option playing a year up with Team Final Delaware’s 15U group this summer, and has recently started flashing a reliable 3-point stroke. Currently the top-ranked 2021 prospect in the Philly area, he should remain in that conversation for the next four years as he continues to tone his body and add some explosiveness.
#26 | Jerrell Colbert - A 6'8" rim-running big man prospect, he's a long and athletic post who will only get better with more reps as he goes forward. Playing alongside Deuce Fatheree in the paint for Houston Hoops Blue Chips (TX) this past summer, the Sam Rayburn (TX) big man got better as the year went on. With his high ceiling, his production will continue to increase. He's already taken unofficial visits to Houston & Texas.
#27 | Jaden Hardy - The younger brother of UNLV freshman Amauri Hardy, the 6'3" shooting guard is a sizzling scorer on the perimeter. The Detroit native shined with The Family (MI) and the Motor City Bad Boys (MI) in 2017 before relocating to Las Vegas, where he is playing at Coronado High School (NV). He already holds early offers from Illinois, Georgia Tech, Southern Utah, TCU & UNLV.
#28 | Aminu Mohammed - The 6'5" wing is having a fantastic freshman season at Archbishop Carroll (DC) after a huge summer with the FBCG Dynamic Disciples. He continues to improve his perimeter skills to go along with an awesome motor and fantastic rebounding skills. Combining his explosiveness, length & improving skills on both ends with his thirst for production makes for a very bright future for him.
#29 | TJ Morris - An explosive 6'2" point guard who goes from end-to-end faster than almost any other guard in his class, he's coming off a big summer with the New York Rens. Along the way, he picked up an offer from Iona, and he's just getting started. He recently transferred to Abraham Lincoln (NY) in Coney Island, where he should become their next superstar guard.
#30 | Donnell Harris - A chiseled 6'5", 220-pound forward, he's been on the radar in South Florida for the past few years because of his athleticism and production. Coming off a big football season for Booker T. Washington (FL) in Miami, he already holds offers from Baylor & Syracuse. He's putting up nice numbers on the court to date, but our bet is that he's going to be spending a lot more time on the football side in the future.
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