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Updated Player Rankings (Class of 2021): Biggest summer stock boosters

09/03/2020, 12:45pm CDT
By Mark Miller

COVID-19 couldn't keep the club circuit shuttered during the summer as events were held in July and August with Wisconsin teams competing in state and throughout the Midwest.

And even though WisSports.net and Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook events were canceled due to the pandemic, we were able to watch games and evaluate players in July and August via online streaming services.

Click here for updated Player Rankings for the class of 2021

Listed below are brief profiles of the players who improved their stock the most due to their outstanding play the past two months.

Jayden Jackson, 6-3, G, Whitefish Bay (ABC Lions)
Current WisSports.net Ranking: 14
Previous WisSports.net Ranking: 22

Shortly after Jackson announced on Twitter that he had decided to pursue basketball instead of football at the collegiate level, offers from NCAA Division I programs began to flow in for the athletic, smart and strong backcourt prospect. Already holding an offer from South Alabama, Northern Arizona, Milwaukee and UMBC also decided to extend offers to Jackson, who could very well end up with additional offers over the next several weeks after he shows the depth of his game this weekend while playing for the ABC Lions in a club event in Indianapolis. Jackson is a three-year varsity performer at Whitefish Bay and a returning first-team all-North Shore Conference performer who averaged 19.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists during his junior season.  


Jasin Sinani

Jasin Sinani, 6-3, G, Oak Creek (WI RAP)
Current WisSports.net Ranking: 16
Previous WisSports.net Ranking: 40

Coming off a solid, if not spectacular, junior season in which he averaged 17.4 points and helped Oak Creek to a 10-13 record, Sinani took his game to another level the past couple of months. Playing for a solid Wisconsin RAP program, Sinani showed the ability to play either guard position, make shots from deep, compete with a high basketball IQ, and use his physical strength to finish off drives to the basket. The efficient combination guard has the size and strength to compete at the highest level of college basketball and was recently rewarded for his strong play of late by receiving a NCAA Division I scholarship offer from Milwaukee coach Pat Baldwin. A three-year varsity competitor at Oak Creek, look for Sinani to surpass 1,000 career points and have a stellar senior season for coach Kyle Johnsen and the Knights. 


Grant Asman

Grant Asman, 6-10, F, Kimberly (Mac Attack)
Current WisSports.net Ranking: 17
Previous WisSports.net Ranking: 36

The more you watch Asman, the more you appreciate the things he can do with the basketball in his hands as a 6-foot-10 stretch forward. He most definitely can shoot, a strength he displayed last winter when he made 48 percent of his three-point shots (39 of 80) while helping Kimberly to a 22-3 record. But he proved with Mac Attack this summer he can also put the ball on the ground and get to the basket. His ball skills are extremely advanced for a player his size and collegiate programs have definitely taken notice. He holds several NCAA Division II scholarship offers and is beginning to hear from Division I programs as well. Appalachian State, Army, Valparaiso, VMI, San Diego and South Dakota State are among the DI programs expressing recent interest. Asman definitely needs to get stronger, but his upside is exceptional due to his size, skill and versatility.  


Adam Larson

Adam Larson, 6-9, F, Fennimore (Wisconsin Academy)
Current WisSports.net Ranking: 25
Previous WisSports.net Ranking: 31

A couple of things jump out at you right away when you watch Larson play -- his length and his thin frame. And after seeing him compete for a game or two a few other things become apparent -- his ability to shoot from deep, his ability to block shots and his ability to rebound. Indeed, Larson is one of the more intriguing prospects in Wisconsin's class of 2021 due to his combination of skill and size. He will need some time to add weight and muscle to his frame for the next level, but there is no denying he has the potential to become an impact player. Larson performed well for the balanced Wisconsin Academy 17U squad over the past two months and currently holds offers from Southeast Missouri State (DI), Emporia State (DII), Southwest Minnesota State (DII), Truman State (DII) and Morningside (NAIA). Division I programs at Central Michigan, Portland and UIC also are expressing strong interest. 

Cael McGee, 6-2, G, Stoughton (WI RAP)
Current WisSports.net Ranking: 35
Previous WisSports.net Ranking: 45

Staying in front of McGee is a big-time challenge for defenders as the gifted wing-guard prospect from Stoughton possesses a very quick first step and utilizes that quickness along with his physical strength and aggressiveness to continually beat opponents to the basket. McGee has improved his perimeter jump shot, and he figures to continue working on that aspect of his game heading into the 2020-21 high school season. The returning first-team all-Badger South Conference performer averaged 15.1 points and 6.0 rebounds as a junior while helping coach Nolan Weber and Stoughton to a 21-4 record. 


Jadon Melvin

Jadon Melvin, 6-4, G/F, Hartford (Chapman Basketball Academy)
Current WisSports.net Ranking: 41
Previous WisSports.net Ranking: Others To Watch

Melvin had times this summer were he was exceptionally impressive, putting up huge offensive numbers while helping the Chapman Basketball Academy to some impressive victories. His size, strength and skill are very impressive as he can handle the ball, shoot and attack the basket. The physically strong and aggressive wing prospect averaged 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists as a junior at Hartford for coach Kevin McKenna. Melvin is a three-year varsity performer for coach Kevin McKenna entering his senior season. NCAA Division III power UW-Oshkosh is showing the most interest in Melvin at this point. 


Tre Valeriano

Tre Valeriano, 5-11, PG, Pius XI Catholic (World Hoops Elite)
Current WisSports.net Ranking: 42
Previous WisSports.net Ranking: Others To Watch

Valeriano has shown promise since his he was a freshman playing for the varsity squad at St. Thomas More. After a two-year stop at Milwaukee Washington, Valeriano has decided to attend Pius XI Catholic for his senior year. The WIAA has not yet ruled on his eligibility. He performed very well for World Hoops Elite in July and August against some high-caliber competition. Valeriano's aggressiveness on offense is a factor opposing defenses must always respect as he can pop from well beyond the three-point arc or use his quickness for a deadly floater in the lane. Although he is on the small side for the NCAA Division I level, Valeriano did pick up an offer from Cleveland State of the Horizon League due to his quickness, excellent ball handling and shot-making ability. 

For the latest and most up to date boys' basketball news and recruiting information, follow Mark on Twitter @wisbbyearbook. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Mark by clicking here.

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