With the summer now behind us and school is in session across the Peach State, it is time to extend and update our class of 2021 player rankings. Georgia’s next wave of talent is good and deep, as usual. 

CLICK HERE FOR GEORGIA 2021 TOP 35 RANKINGS

TOP DOG 

A year ago, Jabari Smith was a player who many in Georgia hoop circles said “oh, he’s got a chance.” Now here we are and the 6-foot-8 forward is sitting at the top overall spot in the state and is listed as one of the top 10 players in the nation. 

Not a bad year for the Sandy Creek forward. Not bad at all. 

Smith owned the stage for USA Basketball U16 Junior National Team and he played wonderfully well with the Atlanta Celtics 16 and under team. He and his teammates won the adidas Gauntlet tournament in Birmingham, Alabama during the NCAA Live Period. 

Smith is the prototypical combo forward in today’s current day basketball. He can shoot, rebound, block shots and cause problems all over the floor.

SUMMER RISERS 

Matthew Cleveland has been firmly supplanted at the top of our lists - internally and externally - for quite some time. But watching the national ascent into the top rankings was a fun journey to watch play out. Now at Pace Academy, the HYPE Hawks wing forward will certainly be one of the most watched players in the nation this year from the class of 2021.  

Jumping all the way up to No. 3 overall in Georgia is Cherokee’s Thailand Owens. The 6-foot-5 guard proved himself with the loaded Atlanta Celtics 16 and under group. He has the physical tools to draw in a number of high-major schools this season. 

Jasaun Holt has been a favorite of ours after watching the St. Francis forward shine with the Atlanta TapOut program. The 6-foot-7 forward continues to get better and he should be one of the best players in the state's Class A Private division this year. He makes a strong climb to No. 7 overall. 

Few guys made a bigger splash at the team camps than Winder Barrow's Isaiah Nelson-Ododa. The 6-foot-8 big man is more prospect than player right now but big things could be in store for him down the road. He debuts at No. 9 overall in our newest rankings. 

COUNTY REPPIN’

Here is how the talent is spread about the different counties in our current top 35 for Georgia’s 2021 class:
Fulton: 13
Cobb: 4
Bibb, Cherokee, Fayette, Forsyth, Rockdale: 2
Barrow, Dekalb, Dougherty, Douglas, Gwinnett, Houston, Muscogee, Tift: 1 

POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN

Here is how the top 35 plays out among the different positions - 

Point guards: 8
Shooting guards: 10
Wings: 7
Power forwards: 7
Centers: 3

TOP DOGS 

Point guard: Christian Wright, The Skill Factory
Shooting guard: Thailand Owens, Cherokee
Small forward: Matthew Cleveland, Pace Academy
Power forward: Jabari Smith, Sandy Creek
Center: Isaiah Nelson-Ododa, Winder Barrow 

Every player on the ranking was evaluated in person by our staff multiple times. We rank on a combination of how we project the player in college and beyond, travel and high school team performance and the player’s production paired with potential.