Rankings Review: 2021 Point Guards

On Thursday, March 28th, we posted our updated rankings for the Class of 2021. While there has been some talk that the class doesn't necessarily rival the 2020 or 2022 classes around it, in my mind there are still several really nice prospects to consider, and there is some really good guard play. Below is a look at the Top-15 point guards in Indiana's Class of 2021:   1. Ariana Wiggins, 5-8 PG, Heritage Christian School Ariana is not only our #1 point guard prospect in 2021, but she's also currently our #1 overall prospect in the class. She is a dynamic playmaker, wiry strong, and athletic in all directions. She is a creator who can get into the heart of defenses and distribute to open teammates or score it herself. A year ago I would have said she was almost too unselfish at times, but this high school season she really stepped up her aggressiveness scoring the ball. She is a very good on-ball defender, plus she can affect passing lanes in help-side. She is capable of knocking down open jumpers when in rhythm, but the 3-pointer is probably the one area of her game where she could stand to be just a bit more consistent. She is good on pull-ups and mid-range jumpers though.   2. Ally Becki, 5-7 PG/2G, Brownsburg H.S. Ally is a really nice player and talent who has already gotten her share of recruitment, but I still don't think she's even scratched the surface as far as how many and which schools will ultimately recruit her. Additionally, she unfortunately severely injured her knee during the Sectional round of the state tournament, so she will miss the entire grassroots season. Ally is a quick/fast, high-motor, tough-nosed, and gritty guard. She can get to the basket at ease, and she can knock down open jump-shots consistently. I've often thought she plays a lot like 2019 Indiana All-Star Maddie Nolan (Zionsville), but I actually think Ally might be a better pure passer and point guard. Based on how she plays, I'd anticipate she bounces back even stronger next Winter.   3. Courtney Blakely, 5-6 PG, Bishop Noll Institute When I saw Courtney last Summer, she was strong, gritty, tough-nosed, and she had obvious ball skill and the ability to knock down shots. When I saw her a couple of months ago in the state tournament, she looked longer, leaner, more explosive, and just smoother. She is a very good ball-handler and passer, and she is always in control of her team. She plays with a veteran's poise and savvy, and she thinks the game very well. I think she plays hard at the defensive end of the floor, but if she can commit to that end and play with just a little more discipline and not always try for steals, I think she can be an elite on-ball defender. She is a very nice basketball player, talent, and prospect, and she definitely has genetics on her side being the daughter of Angela Hamblin.   4. Hanna Knoll, 5-7 PG/2G, Angola H.S. Hanna is one of those players who you just immediately enjoy her game. She has really good length, wiry strength, and she's a solid athlete in all directions. But what you end up liking the most is her nonstop motor and desire to compete and win every possession. She is a tough kid who will run through walls, and while she may not be exceptional at any one area of the game, she is good in most areas. For me, I like her versatility, as she can handle the ball and run offense, she can play off the ball and shoot/score it consistently, and she is able to guard most point guards, all 2-guards, and even some small forwards. She is just a really nice basketball player who is hard to label by position. She will be able to fit comfortably into many different college schemes.   5. Kaitlyn Costner, 5-6 PG/2G, Elkhart Central H.S. Most of the top guard prospects, by the time they get to high school, are pretty complete with their games, and they are just continuing to mature and get stronger. Kaitlyn is that rare exception who came into high school a little raw skillfully, but she is tremendously talented physically. When you first watch Kaitlyn, it's easy to see she is an elite athlete who has track-like speed and bounce to her. She plays with a tremendous motor, and she makes in-game adjustments quickly. What's even scarier is her amount of growth from last season to this season. She can be an elite on-ball defender, but now her ball skill, shooting, and overall ability to score has improved so much since even July, that she'll continue to climb our overall rankings list in 2021, and college coaches should begin to take notice this Spring & Summer.   The Next 10: 6. McKenzie Hudgen, 5-7 PG/2G, Mishawaka Marian H.S. 7. Alexa McKinley, 5-7 PG/2G, Columbus North H.S. 8. Genesis Castro, 5-3 PG, Avon H.S. 9. Audra Emmerson, 5-5 PG, Fishers H.S. 10. Jordyn Smith, 5-5 PG, Penn H.S. 11. Emily Parrett, 5-7 PG Fort Wayne Carroll H.S. 12. Alyna Santiago, 5-5 PG/2G, Crown Point H.S. 13. Jillian Osswald, 5-5 PG, Hamilton Heights H.S. 14. Grace Sullivan, 5-4 PG, Homestead H.S. 15. Taylor Cooney, 5-6, PG, Greensburg H.S.   Header photo of Ariana Wiggins or Heritage Christian School. Photo courtesy of Eric Wiggins' Twitter account.