Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Birmingham, AL (Future150) -- The day is finally here. Our top 150 rankings for the class of 2021 is now officially LIVE! With that being said, the first thing that we should point out is that for the first time in two years, we have a new #1 prospect in America.
Terrence Clarke Completes Dominant Year
It's been a big year for 6'5" wing prospect Terrence Clarke. The 6'5" Boston native and newest star at The Rivers School (MA) really took his development to the next level in 2017, and was dominant wherever he performed. Not only does he have excellent size on the wing, but he's got supreme length and excellent polish for this stage as well. After tracking him throughout the year, it became an easy choice to put him at #1 when you consider his current production along with his long term projections.
Patrick Baldwin Jr. Rises To #2
It's been a big year for the Baldwin family. Former Northwestern assistant coach Pat Baldwin was hired as the head coach at Milwaukee in June, taking the family from Chicago up the road and across the Wisconsin state line. In the process, it uprooted one of America's brightest young talents, Patrick Baldwin Jr. The 6'8", 190-pound wing with shades of Michael Porter Jr. to his game, is now at Sussex Hamilton High School (WI), and is off to a fast start. The upside factor for him is enormous, and he'll be in the hunt for the #1 ranking throughout the rest of his high school career.
African Imports Make Immediate Impact In The United States
Moussa Cisse & Jonathan Kuminga came to the US this year from Guinea & Republic of the Congo, respectively, and brought with them elite basketball skills. Cisse, a 6'9" power forward at Christ The King (NY), had a huge spring, summer & fall season, and has started the high school season strong in the ultra-competitive CHSAA. Kuminga, a freakishly athletic 6'8" forward, plays at Huntington Prep (WV) with a motor that always runs hot. Look for explosive travel seasons from both after sharpening their teeth on competitve winter schedules.
Sun Devils Commit Makes A Splash at #5
Patrick Baldwin Jr. isn't the only elite 2021 prospect in Milwaukee right now, as Washington (WI) 6'9" forward Michael Foster is an elite talent in his own right. After taking a campus visit to Arizona State last weekend, he decided to end his recruitment, committing to the Sun Devils on Monday. Don't expect that to stop blueblood programs from recruiting him over the next four years, however, as he's one of the best long term prospects in America, a smooth and versatile forward prospect with excellent athleticism as well.
Rounding Out The Top 10
#6 | Trey Patterson, F, Rutgers Prep (NJ) - The 6'7" wing has been one of the elite prospects in his class for the past two years. A prospect who can play both inside and out.
#7 | William Jeffress, F, Erie McDowell (PA) - The 6'6" wing prospect has been steadily improving his perimeter skills, and will dominate varsity level competition in Northwest Pennsylvania this winter.
#8 | Zion Harmon, G, Adair County (KY) - Nobody has the resume that the 5'10" point guard has to date. We expect him to continue to shine this winter and the upcoming AAU season at the 17U level.
#9 | Johnathan Lawson, F, Memphis East (TN) - While he won't get much opportunity on his loaded high school team this winter, the 6'6" point-forward is an elite talent with unlimited potential.
#10 | John Butler, F, Christ Church Episcopal School (SC) - Already near 6'10" with a 7'0"+ wingspan and 3-point range, the Future150 Elite24 All-American Camp alumnus oozes upside. His best days are ahead of him.
#Future150Family With Strong Hold On 2021 Group
Along with top 10 prospects Johnathan Lawson & John Butler, seven more alumni made our national top 60 list, including Keon Edwards (#14), Randy Brady (#15), Jaden Hardy (#27), Aminu Mohammed (#28), Trey Alexander (#46), Deuce Fatheree (#56) & Carter Whitt (#60). Overall, 38 of our alumni made the list. Congratulations to all!
Want to see who made the rest of our rankings board? Find out below.
2021 National Rankings of our Top 150 Prospects
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