By JACOB POLACHECK
The 2021 semifinalists for the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Player of the Year Award were announced Thursday Trophy, highlighted by unsigned 2021 center Chet Holmgren and 2022 Michigan State commit Emoni Bates.
Holmgren, a 7-foot, 190-pound center from Minnehaha (MN) Academy, is ranked by 247Sports.com as the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2021.
He is currently considering a final seven of Michigan, Minnesota, Gonzaga, Ohio State, Georgetown, Memphis and North Carolina.
Bates, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound small forward from Ypsi Prep (MI) Academy, is ranked by 247Sports.com as the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2022.
He committed to Michigan State on June 29, becoming the first commit in the Spartans’ 2022 recruiting class. The Spartans later received a commitment from 2022 center Enoch Boakye.
Montverde (FL) Academy has two players included on the list in unsigned 2022 center Jalen Duren Jr. and 2021 Michigan signee Caleb Houstan.
The full list of semifinalists is provided below:
| Paolo | Banchero | Sr. | F | O’Dea High School | Seattle, WA | Duke |
| Emoni | Bates | Jr. | F | Ypsi Prep Academy | Ypsilanti, MI | Michigan State |
| Kennedy | Chandler | Sr. | G | Sunrise Christian Academy | Bel Aire, KS | Tennessee |
| J.D. | Davison | Sr. | G | Calhoun School | Letohatchee, AL | Alabama |
| Jalen | Duren | Jr. | C | Montverde Academy | Montverde, FL | – |
| Jaden | Hardy | Sr. | G | Coronado High School | Henderson, NV | – |
| Chet | Holmgren | Sr. | C | Minnehaha Academy | Minneapolis, MN | – |
| Caleb | Houstan | Sr. | F | Montverde Academy | Montverde, FL | Michigan |
| Hunter | Sallis | Sr. | G | Millard North High School | Omaha, NE | – |
| Jabari | Smith Jr. | Sr. | F | Sandy Creek High School | Tyrone, GA | Auburn |
Photo: Who’s Next HS (@whosnexths)
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