2020 Names to Know
It is my personal philosophy to wait until a player is in high school to start evaluating him, believing that is when the cream rises to the top, and if a kid is good enough I will eventually see him…
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Continue ReadingIt is my personal philosophy to wait until a player is in high school to start evaluating him, believing that is when the cream rises to the top, and if a kid is good enough I will eventually see him in high school. However, in the day and age where scouts are ranking middle schoolers, seventh and eighth graders have mixtapes and there are elite camps for middle schoolers and rising freshman, some players are too good to hide. Now that the summer is over, here’s a very small list of seven guys we have seen or heard about that should have an immediate impact at the varsity level. Stay tuned to Vantage Hoops for more on the incoming class as the season comes around!
Isaiah Todd | 6’8” F | John Marshall
He’s arguably one of the best freshmen in the country, and he showed why this summer as he was unstoppable playing up with the Loaded VA 15U team. There aren’t many rising freshmen with his combination of size, length, athleticism and skill set. He can play on the perimeter or in the post, he has range well beyond the three point line and he can handle it in transition and make good decisions. The fact that he’s not only skilled beyond his years but very productive as well is a big reason that he sits with high major offers such as Baylor, Wake Forest and Penn State before playing a single high school game.
Joe Bamissile | 6’0” PG | St. Christopher’s
Flashy, athletic and a walking bucket, Bamissile loves the spotlight and he comes to play when it’s on. He’s been working out and playing with the St. Chris varsity for years now, and he’ll team up with crafty bucket getter himself Alex Petrie to form one of the most lethal backcourts in Richmond. With the departure of one of VA’s all time best scorers in Nick Sherod, Bamissile will be looked at to play big minutes and contribute a lot offensively from the jump. He holds an offer from the University of Richmond where Sherod will play this year.
Cameron Thomas | 6’1” G | Oscar Smith
When you’re a 6’1” guard that averaged over 30 points per game in AAU you’re bound to make a name for yourself. The young Thomas can play either guard position, has deep range that he can shoot with ease and a frame that’s well beyond his years. Many in the 757 are raving that he could be one of the best young talents the area has seen in years, and with his high IQ and efficient scoring ability he’ll likely see the offense run through him very early. He already holds offers from ODU and Norfolk State before ever suiting up for high school basketball.
Henry Coleman | 6’6” F | Benedictine
With Todd playing up with the 15U team, Coleman starred for the Loaded 14U team and was one of their most productive players all summer. A two sport star that also plays quarterback, Coleman has great size to play on the wing and a high motor that allows him to bang inside as well. He’s a versatile defender and a good athlete with length, one would expect him to see a lot of time as a freshman on a deep Benedictine team.
Darrick Jones | 6’6” F | Millwood
Some kids are just freak athletes at a young age, and Jones is one of them. After reclassifying to the 2020 class last season (he was young for his grade), Jones still played in almost every game for Millwood as an eighth grader. He has tremendous length and leaping ability, allowing him to make at least one or two plays that will have you jumping out of your seat and shaking your head that he’s a rising freshman. He still may grow more, and he’s already able to put it on the floor and shoot it from deep off the catch. He’ll be a highly touted prospect if he continues to develop.
Kip Greene | 6’5” PF | Giles
The first thing you think when you see Greene is “football player.” Coming from the western part of the state, any kid his age with his 6’5”, 280 lbs. frame would be playing on the defensive line, but Greene has a lot of potential on the hardwood as well. He played up with the Spectrum 15U team, and was a monster in the paint where he regularly finished with double-doubles. He has a soft touch, is pretty mobile for his size and takes up a lot of space in the lane. He has to work on his conditioning and shed some weight if he wants to play basketball, but if he keeps growing he’ll be a load to handle in the paint.
Jeremy Roach | 6’1″ PG | Paul VI
He’s entering a crowded backcourt with 2017 Pittsburgh commit Aaron Thompson and arguably the best 2019 point in the state in Ant Harris, but don’t expect Roach to ride the bench as a freshman. The explosive guard shut down CP3 camp featuring the best middle schoolers in the nation and had everyone raving about his bounce and quickness. He’s young, talented, athletic and can fill it up against the best of them, making the Harris-Roach future backcourt looking very bright for PVI. He’ll likely be a nationally ranked point guard at an early age with his projected improvement.