DON'T SLEEP ON ARKANSAS - CLASS OF 2021

Arkansas high school and summer basketball is better now than it has ever been! With players of the 2020 class nationally recognized/ranked set the tone for the state. For the Natural State, basketball bragging rights are in good hands for what most say is a "football state". However, the junior class may have an up on this year's recruiting class, with numerous players that could sign with D1 programs.

'21 Camren Hunter | 6'2 | Point Guard

Bryant High School

Camren is a leader, competitor, and a proven winner. The lefty is a physical point guard who uses his strength to bully opponents at the rim. He is a great passer and does a great job of rebounding for his position. He plays with great pace in pick and roll situations, and scores the ball at all three levels. Look for Cam to fill up the stat sheet at Bryant HS this year.

Projection: Mid - Major Prospect

‘21 Jakari Livingston | 6’3 | Guard

Mills High School

Jakari is most known for his dunks, which have taken social media by storm. Don't get it confused, however, this guy is more than a dunker! He is a freak athlete and good defender. He uses his athletic ability to get to the rim and rebound. His recruitment is expected to pick up as he improves his shooting.

Projection: Mid - Major Prospect

'21 Jordan Maxwell | 6’5 | Wing

Jacksonville High School

Jordan is very talented; there is a chance for him to be one of the better players in his class if he becomes more assertive! He is smooth, very athletic, and has a decent shooting stroke. He is at his best when attacking the rim, especially in transition. He needs to play with more effort and toughness on the defensive end. Look for him to have a breakout junior season.

Projection: Mid - Major Prospect

'21 Terran Williams | 6’4 | Wing

Marianna High School

Terran is a big-time athlete, rebounder, defender, and plays with a lot of energy! He already holds high major offers from Auburn, TCU, and Oklahoma State. The young wing is a nightmare to guard in transition, as he can finish through you or over the top of you. He is a straight-line driver who has improved his shooting stroke over the past year. Although Terran has high major offers already, he will need to continue working on his shooting consistency and ball handling in order to be ready to compete at such a high level.

Projection: Mid - High Major Prospect

‘21 Jordan Mitchell | 6’1 | PG

West Memphis High School

Jordan is very shifty and crafty off the bounce as he can create for himself and others. This makes him very difficult to guard; he may be the best kept secret in the class of 2021. He is effective in pick and roll situations, and plays with great change of speeds. He is a decent shooter who can make shots off the catch or bounce. Jordan is really thin and could use valuable time in the weight room.

Projection: Mid - Major Prospect

‘21 Ryan "RJ" Maxwell | 6’6 | Wing

Jacksonville High School

RJ is making the transition from post player to full-time wing. Right now he is more of a combo forward. He has the size, length, and the look of a big-time player. He does a great job of rebounding, plays with great energy, and has a good skill set. However, RJ lacks assertiveness and aggressiveness.When he improves these two things, he will reach his full potential.

Projection: Low - Mid Major Prospect

‘21 Tracy Steele | 6’2 | Guard

North Little Rock High School

Tracy is long, athletic, and smooth. He loves playing in transition where he can use his athletic ability to get to the rim; his long strides can cover ground quickly. Tracy spent the majority of his sophomore year with an injury, but he is now 100% healthy and ready to have a big season for North Little Rock. This young man is very talented -- if he plays with more passion and hunger, along with the improvement of his shooting, there is potential for his recruitment to pick up.

Projection: Low - Major Prospect

‘21 Caleb Campbell | 6’3 | Guard

Hot Springs High School

Caleb is always in attack mode and gives you a 100% effort every time he steps on the court. He is long, wiry, and loves to compete on the defensive end. He is a solid athlete, does a good job finishing at the rim; pull up jump shot isn't half bad, either. Caleb is a big reason Hot Springs will have a successful season with Coach Lasker.

Projection: Low - Major Prospect

‘21 Tamaury Releford | 6’6 | Forward

Fayetteville High School

Tamaury is a bully on the block because he is physically strong and tough! While not a natural athlete, he does use his strength to be an effective rebounder. Once he catches the ball in the deep paint, it's either a bucket or a foul. He has a soft touch around the rim and can score over the left shoulder with his right-hand hook. Tamaury can also step out to 15 feet and knock down mid-range jumpers.

Projection: Mid - Major Prospect

‘21 Jacob Joe | 6’1 | Combo Guard

Fort Smith Northside Jacob is a late bloomer and right now his biggest strength is his ability to shoot the basketball and his high IQ. He is very skilled, has a good handle and is athletic. Everybody knows his brother Isaiah Joe who is considered an NBA draft prospect, but people will soon know Jacob because of his game.

Projection: Low - Major Prospect

10 UNDERRATED PROSPECTS IN ARKANSAS

Arkansas hoops is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves. Moses Moody, Jaylin Williams, KK Robinson, Chris Moore, and Davonte Davis are currently in the 2020 Rivals150 prospect rankings. Arkansas has always been a place where you can find hidden talent. The excitement in the Natural State is at an all time high, but there's still a lot of talented players flying under the radar.

'20 Brayden Lyons | 6’4 | Shooting Guard

Glen Rose High School

21PPG - 8RPG - 3APG

Brayden is one of the most talented players in the 2020 class. He can score at all three levels, and he uses his long strides to get to wherever he wants on the court. Because he gets great lift on his jump shot, he is tough to guard. He is extremely athletic and can finish at the rim. He also does a great job of making his teammates better.

He missed a lot of spring and summer basketball due to an ankle injury. A few things Brayden needs to strengthen: tightening up his handle, and becoming a consistent 3-point shooter. Look for him to dominate at Glen Rose and fill up the stat sheet. Brayden Lyons' potential is through the roof!

Projection - Division 1, Low to Mid Major prospect

'20 Lawson Jenkins | 6’7 | Shooting Guard

Har-ber High School

17PPG - 7RPG

Lawson doesn't pass the eye test, but this kid absolutely understands how to play basketball. He is a big time shooter with a quick release. He is better shooting off the catch but can make 1 or 2 dribble pull-ups as well. He has a high basketball IQ and does a good job of moving without the basketball. Lawson is a great passer, sneaky athletic, and loves to compete on both ends of the floor. Lawson needs to gain weight, add strength, and improve his lateral quickness. If he does these things, look for his recruitment to take off. If he signs in the Fall, somebody may get a steal. However, if he waits until the Spring and improves his body, he could have several D-1 programs knocking down his door.

Projection - Division 1, Low Major prospect

'20 Shannon Strickland | 6’5 | Combo Guard

Monticello High School

17PPG - 7RPG - 6APG

Shannon is smooth, skilled, and has great size for the position. He can slide over and play the point guard spot as well. He can score at all three levels and has great shooting stroke. Sometimes, he is too casual but his size, length, athleticism, shooting ability, and feel for the game makes him an intriguing prospect for college programs. A focus of improvement would be his motor and going hard on every possession.

Projection - Division 1, Low to Mid Major prospect

'20 Ben Turner | 6’5 | Wing

Trumann High School

20PPG -10RPG

Ben is extremely long, athletic, plays with a motor, and does a great job rebounding. He is a straight line driver that gets downhill using his upper body strength. Ben will need to continue improving his skills on the perimeter and becoming a better 3-point shooter. Ben has good size, a nice frame, and a lot of potential.

Projection - Division 1, Low Major prospect

'20 Zane Butler | 6’0 | Point Guard

Greene Country Tech

22PPG - 4APG - 4RPG - 37% 3FG

He is a big-time shooter who gets great lift on his shot. He can shoot it off the catch or the bounce. He is a tough kid, competes on the defensive end, and understands the game. Zane is not the quickest but gets to his spots. He is not the most athletic either, but he will always be a threat on the court because he can shoot it consistently from 23 feet. Coaches looking for a gym rat who will bring it everyday--Zane is your guy.

Projection - Division 2 / Division 1, Low Major prospect

'20 Jordan Tillmon | 6’1 | Point Guard

Watson Chapel High School

18PPG - 4RPG - 3APG

This lefty is extremely confident in his game and is at his best when creating off the bounce. He uses his crafty ball handling skills to get to the rim, or to get separation on his shot. He has a high basketball IQ, and plays with pace and change of speeds. He is a gym rat; a true competitor and has that 'dog' in him that you just can’t teach. He is a decent outside shooter but needs to focus on being a more consistent 3-point shooter. If he improves his shooting, I could see mid-major programs recruiting him.

Projection - Division 1, Low Major prospect

'20 Laityn Sheppard | 6’6 | Forward

North Little Rock High School

10PPG - 8RPG

Laityn is a big kid who uses his thick frame to take up space in the paint. He has a nice skill set as he can score inside and outside. He can face up and shoot consistently from 15 feet and he can drive the ball to the rim, as well. Laityn lacks natural athleticism, but he can score in the post because he has good fundamentals. He has a soft touch around the rim and does a great job rebounding. The one thing that may hold Laityn back is his weight. If he loses 20 pounds, he is definitely a Division 1 player.

Projection - Division 2 / Division 1, Low Major prospect

'20 Treylon Payne | 6’2 | Point Guard

Bryant High School

13PPG - 4RPG - 2APG

Treylon is one of the best on-ball defenders in Arkansas. He defense creates a lot of havoc; when he is defending his opponent, he sticks to them like glue. He has good size for his position, good athleticism, and quick feet. He uses his speed to get to the rim. His main focus this season should be improving his 3-point shot. Treylon shot the ball better toward the end of summer and showed signs of improvement. College programs looking for a solid point guard who will run your team, get others involved, and help you WIN--Treylon is it!

Projection - Division 1 Low Major prospect

'20 Makyi Boyce | 5’10 | Point Guard

Marion High School

10PPG - 8APG

Makyi is true PG who loves getting his teammates involved. This pass first PG has a great IQ and can see plays before they happen. He can make pinpoint passes with his right or left hand. He is strong, fast and is very tough. This kid is a gifted passer who doesn’t turn the ball over and is a proven winner. He was a big reason Marion won a state championship. Once he proves that he can make open shots consistently, his recruiting will pick up.

Projection - Division 2 / Division, 1 Low Major prospect

'20 Lamar Wilkerson | 6’3 | Guard

Ashdown High School

19ppg - 6rpg

Lamar is a winner who does all of the little things to help your team win games. He is athletic, strong, and has a big-time motor. He has the ability to be a lock down defender at the next level. Offensively he is always in attack mode. He is at his best when he is slashing to the rim or shooting catch and shoot 3’s. For his position, he does an outstanding job of rebounding the ball. Lamar led Ashdown to a state championship title last year. Don’t be surprised if his team wins it again this year.

Projection - Division 2 / Division 1, Low Major prospect

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