SI99 Hoops: Breaking Down the Top Five Wings
Now that we’ve officially launched the SI99 Hoops rankings for 2021, we’ve begun to take a deeper dive into the prospects at each position. Today we analyze the wings who use their versatility to dominate on both ends of the floor.
RELATED: Inaugural SI99 Basketball Rankings Unveiled
1. Patrick Baldwin Jr., Hamilton (Sussex, Wis.)
College: Undecided
What Makes Him Special: Baldwin has pro size at 6-foot-9 with a versatile skill set and the ability to score efficiently on all three levels. Baldwin’s shooting ability separates him from the pack and his high IQ helps him to outthink the opposition on both ends. Last season, Baldwin averaged 24.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists a game.
2. A.J. Griffin, Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.)
College: Duke
What Makes Him Special: Griffin has all of the physical tools and his versatile skill set makes him a matchup problem on the perimeter. Griffins can guard multiple positions and is productive going downhill as well as with the short pull up jump shot. His 7-foot wingspan enables him to cover multiple areas, creating a defensive cushion for his teammates. Griffin’s tools and size will only be enhanced as he continues to level-up.
3. Kendall Brown, Sunrise Christian Academy (Wichita, Kan.)
College: Baylor
What Makes Him Special: Brown plays above the rim and finishes efficiently as a result. He’s extremely agile, making him near impossible to keep out of the lane and uses his reach and length to hound the opposition on defense. Last season, Brown averaged 14 points, 1.7 steals, 3.5 rebounds and four assists a game at Sunrise Christian.
4. Harrison Ingram, St. Mark’s (Dallas)
College: Stanford
What Makes Him Special: Ingram’s greatest asset is his versatility and the ability to effectively play and defend multiple positions. He has a high basketball IQ and great feel on the offensive end. He anticipates well defensively and is a capable rebounder on both ends of the floor. Last season he averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists a game.
5. Trey Patterson, Rutgers Prep (Somerset, N.J.)
College: Villanova
What Makes Him Special: Patterson is a long and rangy athlete with elite versatility coupled with a high hoops IQ to help be effective on both ends of the floor. Patterson is a strong rebounder with great anticipation on the defensive end and has the length and strength to guard multiple positions. Patterson averaged 19.7 points a game last season.