Last week our Jeff Bendel wrote an article titled “South Carolina’s 2021 Class Ready to Draw National Attention”. This was a great take, as this class is especially deep, at all levels, with elite level talent as well as a depth of overall Division 1 talent.
Bendel went through five names that he thought should grab national attention and national rankings. However, these five names do not tell the entire story of the 2021 class. Here is a listing of five more 2021 prospects we feel have a chance to be high major type prospects.
6’2” Jacobi Wright
Fort Mill High School (Fort Mill)
Wright has been a main stay on top lists since the seventh grade. Over the last couple of seasons, he played up in age group with Team CP3 and this year he played at age. Wright has the full arsenal of a high level point guard, with his ability to shoot the ball and score it at all three levels. He has a tight handle and the ability to get to his spots off the bounce. South Carolina is known for point guards from Raymond Felton to Ramon Sessions to Ja Morant, it looks like Wright may fall right in line.
6’6” Mason Grant
Fort Dorchester (North Charleston)
Grant is a name that is new to these types of lists, however he is one who has earned his way to be talked about among high level prospects. Grant is a two-way type of wing who has excellent instincts on the defensive end, which really enhances his length and quickness. Grant is also able to initiate offense from the wing, getting down hill in the half court and really stretching his legs in transition. Grant may not be a known name yet, however college coaches would be smart to get to know him asap.
5’11” Jalen Breazeale
Greenville Charter Tech (Greenville)
Talk about savvy, talk about confidence, talk about skill, Breazeale has all of that. Playing up on 17u with the Carolina Wolves this summer, Breazeale was consistently one of the best players on the floor. He has a natural swag to his game that has him believing no one can stop him, and most of the time he is right. Breazeale is incredibly fun to watch, worth the price of admission, with deep range and a good handle. Coaches should watch him, they’ll love him off the bat, he wins and makes everyone better.
6’4” Korey Richardson
Lower Richland (Columbia)
Richardson has the tools, physically he has good positional size, great length and is explosive. His skill set has a nice downhill handle from the wing and the confidence to rise up and finish. Last season he played with 4-star 2019 Christian Brown, and played a great supporting role with him, even taking over some games with his upside as a two way guard. When Richardson locks in on defense, the lefty is a high level prospect, one who should start to see offers come his way soon.
6’2” Tyler Rice
Ridge View (Columbia)
Rice was a freshman for the South Carolina 4A State Champion Ridge View team. Even with an upper-class laden team, Rice found himself a lot of playing time. The guard is incredibly confident with the ball in his hands. He gets to his spots off the bounce and has good length and quickness defending the ball. Rice is able to score and distribute equally well. His brother is starting his sophomore season at Citadel, so basketball is in his blood. Rice picked up an early Penn State offer, and that level feels about right. Expect more to come as Ridge View will make another run at the state title.