With the depth and talent in the state of Virginia, it’s easy for some players to slip through the cracks and fly under the radar. While we broke down the top ten players at each position earlier this week, there…
With the depth and talent in the state of Virginia, it’s easy for some players to slip through the cracks and fly under the radar. While we broke down the top ten players at each position earlier this week, there are plenty of talented players that haven’t seen the attention from college coaches that they deserve. Here’s our list of 10 players in the class of 2017 we feel are being underrated and under recruited by college coaches.
Deshaun Wade; 6’3/G; Green Run (#42)
He played out of position a lot of Green Run last season and for Boo Williams this summer, but Wade should finally get the opportunity to show what he can do when he’s the primary ball handler. He has good size and a great frame for a point guard, and his feel for the game and where his teammates are shows that he should be able to run the offense and keep everyone involved.
Wade will be key for Green Run, who has all the talent to compete in a stacked 5A division this year. He’ll have to balance the team and keep them all involved, but also needs to know when to turn it on and take over down the stretch. He’s a mismatch at the guard position, and should be able to get in the lane and use his size to finish at will. He holds offers from Maryland-Eastern Shore and Lees-McRae.
Jason Wade; 6’3/WG; Hanover (#46)
No he isn’t related to Deshaun, but this Wade is a dynamic guard as well. His two way ability is what makes him so effective, and he brings energy to his team even though he’s not a “ra-ra” type of player. Defensively, he’s a lock down defender that can deny wing scorers or sit down and guard the ball well. He’s a good rebounder for his size, and his understanding of where to be in help defense is underrated.
Offensively, Wade is an athletic wing with a good frame that allows him to finish through contact. He finds his way to the line for easy points, and is a crafty finisher that can play above the rim in transition. He can shoot it off the catch and create his own shot off the bounce, and has the ability to play multiple positions at any time.
Brandon Mitchell; 6’5/PF; Salem (VB) (#48)
He improved immensely over the summer for Team Loaded 757, and was one of their go-to weapons at the end of the season. Mitchell is an undersized, yet highly active big man with a good frame and long arms. He’s a defensive force in the paint protecting the rim, and hits the glass hard on the offensive end giving his team extra opportunities.
Toward the end of the summer, Mitchell showed the ability to step away from the basket and knock down the mid range jump shot out to the elbow. If he continues to extend his range and work on the offensive end, he could turn in to a formidable prospect down the line.
Austin Katstra; 6’6/PF; Albemarle (#51)
When it comes to high motors and blue collar players, Katstra fits that mold perfectly. A 6’6 four man that always seems to be guarding someone bigger than him, he finds ways to outplay and out rebound those players using his athleticism and physicality. He’s always the first one to hit the floor for a loose ball, and refuses to back down from players bigger than him.
Katstra’s motor is what made him able to man the middle for Boo Williams Chiz this summer, and was consistently one of the more productive players on the floor. He is an underrated athlete that finishes above the rim and creates extra opportunities on the glass with his activity.
Denzel Parham; 6’4/WF; Tidewater Academy (#69)
He’s relatively unknown, but in camp setting Parham is a perfect player because of his size and ability to stroke it. He likes to shoot it both in the half court set and in transition, and he’s got great lift on his shot allowing him to get it off over smaller defenders with ease. He’s also an athletic wing that can crash the glass and finish above the rim in transition.
Parham will put up some big scoring numbers this season with little help at Tidewater Academy. He’ll have to work on creating his own shot and handling pressure, as he’ll likely have to handle the basketball in most situations. With his scoring mentality and the green light on most possessions, he’ll be a fun player to watch in the Hampton Roads area.
Jake Hahn; 6’5/PF; Albemarle (#73)
He teams up with Katstra in the front court at Albemarle to make a formidable duo, however Hahn plays much different than his teammate. Hahn is a bigger, more skilled power forward that can work from the free throw line and out when facing the basket. He’s a stretch four that can open the lane for drivers and create mismatches away from the basket.
The two bigs do have some similarities however, as Hahn also has a high motor, especially on the glass. While he isn’t as athletic as Katstra, he has great fundamentals when boxing out, and his outlet ability is top notch. The two should make for a fun watch this season in Charlottesville.
Brandon Edmund; 6’0/WG; John Paul the Great (#74)
He was the lead guy for Virginia Elite 16s this summer, and Edmund proved that he’s an elite shooter with his range and quick release. He’s more of a wing than a point guard because of his ability to shoot it off the catch, but he can also get his feet set and let it fly off of ball screens as well. However, he still is a leader that brings energy to his team on both ends, and is a smart defender that is good for taking a charge or two a game.
He needs to work on his point guard abilities for the next level, especially breaking down defender and valuing the basketball every trip up. His understanding of the game is good, not great, and he does tend to stay in his role and is vocal on both ends. He’s still an impact player that will light you up and he continues to improve with time in the gym.
Corey Pelham; 5’10/PG; Lake Braddock (#75)
He’s a skilled point guard who can facilitate and create his own shot off the bounce. His jumper is his biggest asset, with perfect form all the way from good balance on his base to a smooth follow through that looks the same every time. He has big time range and can get his shot off quickly with little-to-no space off the catch.
Pelham has flashes of a poor man’s Steph Curry, with his ability to create space for his jump shot and his array of floaters when he gets in the lane. He at times gets a little too confident with his passes, trying to fit them in spaces that are too tight, and he needs to work on going left to keep defenders off balance. He did hit a big growth spurt over the past two seasons however, and will have the chance take the reigns of a talented Lake Braddock team this season.
Jaylen Dillard; 6’3/WF; Clover Hill (#78)
He’s not a specialist in any way, but Dillard continually finds ways to get it done offensively. He’s a double figure scorer almost every night out, and is especially good at moving without the ball, whether it’s spotting up for a kick out or cutting for an easy lay in at the basket.
Dillard’s ability to score it at all three levels makes him a tough player to guard. He can shoot it off the catch and use his body well in the lane to finish through traffic. He was a First Team All Conference selection as a sophomore, and will be looked at to provide the majority of the scoring at Clover Hill.
Jack Foley; 6’8/C; George C. Marshall (#91)
His frame is phenomenal, with a wide base and a legitimate 6’8 Foley is able to clog the lane and take up a lot of space. He’s tough to box out because of his size, making it easy for him to get tip-ins and follow ups. He plays with passion and is a coachable kid that wants to get better.
Despite his large frame, which is still growing, Foley needs to work on his strength with the ball, but that’s coming with experience and time in the weight room. Offensively he’s a back-to-the-basket player with a few good post moves, and if he can develop a mid-range he should become a go to scorer in the post.