NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Early analysis of top 2021 prospects

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: A general view of basketballs before the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan State Spartans during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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Jaden Hardy – Henderson, NV

CG | 6-foot-4 | 185 lbs | No. 5 overall

The term “combo guard” definitely gets thrown out too often but it fits in this case. As one of the best three-level scorers and creators in the 2021 class, Jaden Hardy projects as a 6-foot-4 guard with the ability to play multiple functions and operate in differing roles. When necessary, he can either take over as a go-to scorer or create for his teammates with great probing skills and passing vision. He already brings plenty of size to either spot and can also defend at a high level.

Through eight games with Vegas Elite (17U) on the EYBL circuit, Hardy has been extremely efficient as a primary scoring option. He is averaging 22.4 points (.504/.408/.718), 4.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Thanks to his consistent scoring performances, Hardy has played a major role in leading the team to an early 5-3 record.

For the most part, the top prospects in the 2021 class project as either true wings or big men. As an elite guard recruit, Hardy should be one of the top targets for some of the elite programs in the nation. He simply brings so much game to the floor and very few guards are on his level in this class. Hardy already holds offers from some of the top west coast schools, including the likes of UCLA, Cal, Arizona, and Arizona State.

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