Etienne, Murray, and Santos lead Connecticut 2021

Friday, January 31st, 2020

Connecticut's junior class is a deep one when you combine prospects in both the state association as well as the prep ranks.

There are several prospects who have a legitimate chance to push their recruitment to the highest level of college basketball over the course of the next 15 months and even a bigger group that has a chance to play their way into recruitment from other levels of division I basketball.

While the updated rankings feature a variety of prospects who are in their first year in the prep ranks, the name atop the list has not changed. Suffield Academy's Mac Etienne is a game-changing presence in the middle right now, and ironically still barely scratching the surface of his potential.

The first new name on the list appears in the second spot and that's Putnam Science guard Jaylen Murray. He may be undersized but this guy is skilled with handle, flair, and creativity to his game off the dribble.

Loomis Chaffee's Nate Santos is having a strong junior and has played his way into a top three ranking because of it while the rest of the top ten is completed by Putnam's Elijah Hutchins-Everett, St. Thomas More's Jai Smith, Woodstock's Quran McPherson, St. Thomas More's Derrius Ward, Canterbury's Sean Durugordon (who may just be one of the most intriguing players on the list as we continue to monitor his evoluation), Woodstock's Michael Jefferson, and Cheshire's Ethan Okwuosa. Avon Old Farms' Tyler Warner technically falls at 11th but is the equivalent of the "6th starter" of the top 10.

The task of limiting our list to just nine more players became difficult and made the depth of this class very apparent. NFA's Mason Jackson was a no-brainer. Maraianapolis' Raymond Espinal-Guzman has continued to ascend. Trinity Catholic's Akim Joseph has talent that we believe in. Master's Quron Zene has been limited by injury this year but a proven prospect since literally before his freshman season. Taft's Blessing Agbonlaho has undeniable upside with his size, athleticism, and mobility.

Cheshire Academy's Aidan Godfrey, Bridgeport Prep's Tyler Dubose, Canterbury's Mike Iuzzolino, Kent's Jake Daly, Sacred Heart's Connor Tierney, Trinity Catholic's Rassoul Abakar, Kingswood-Oxford's Carter Meshanic, Westminster's Gabe Charleston, Southington's Aedan Derrick, East Catholic's Brody Limric, Bridgeport Prep's Kris Laing, Choate's Noah Delorme, and GFA's Tyrone Holloway are all names to know in the class as well.