Summer Stock Boosters: 2017 PGs (Part 1)
With the final live periods coming to a close a couple weeks ago, it’s now time to take an in depth look at some of the biggest stock boosters in Virginia throughout the entire AAU season. The lists compiled will…
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Continue ReadingWith the final live periods coming to a close a couple weeks ago, it’s now time to take an in depth look at some of the biggest stock boosters in Virginia throughout the entire AAU season. The lists compiled will be organized based on year and position, and will only include players that have open recruitments and have yet to make a verbal commitment. It’s impossible for us to mention every kid that boosted their stock throughout the summer, but we’ve narrowed down some of the players that took the biggest jumps in improvement and interest from colleges. We’ll start with part one of the 2017 point guards. Enjoy!
Matt Coleman | 6’2” | Oak Hill/Boo Williams
New Offers: Texas Tech, Providence
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #2
Coleman’s recruiting doesn’t really have much room to go up, as he’s established himself as a solid high major point guard that’s just below the blue blood line, and many schools have already been recruiting him. He won a gold medal at the FIBA World Games in Chile with the U18 national team, and did a good job showing that he’s an old school point guard that runs the show and sets the tone on both ends.
Jason Wade | 6’4” | Trinity Episcopal/River City Reign
New Offers: Hofstra, Delaware
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #19
Wade is a little baffling to us, because his size, athleticism and talent on both ends of the floor says that he should have more than just the three offers he holds now. This summer with Reign he transitioned to the point guard spot midway through the season and did a stellar job creating for his teammates and making plays in both transition and in the half court set. His ability to play both guard positions projects well moving forward, because he has a college ready body and would add length and cause mismatches at the one at the next level.
Johquin “Pinky” Wiley | 5’11” | LC Bird/Team Loaded VA
New Offers: Campbell
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #21
He split time with RCR and Loaded this year, but he showed that wherever he plays or whoever he plays with, Wiley is a kid you want on the floor to end the game because he doesn’t make mistakes and takes care of the basketball. His high IQ and tremendous poise makes up for his somewhat lack of size, and he transitions seemingly to different systems where he can always keep teammates happy with his ability to make plays.
Jahlil Jenkins | 5’11” | VA Academy/Uncommon Bulls
New Offers: Farleigh Dickinson, Towson
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #22
Despite questions about his size, Jenkins is a producer no matter who he matches up with. A dual threat point guard, he’s shown the ability to handle pressure as the main ball handler and create scoring opportunities for both his teammates and himself in the half court set. He’s improved his jump shot immensely, lives in the lane and is able to score it from all over the floor.
Jalen Ray | 6’0” | Hampton/Team Loaded 757
New Offers: St. Peters, Quinnipiac, Loyola, Hofstra, Campbell, NJIT
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #28
Ray took one of the biggest steps in the state both in improvement and in his recruitment this summer. He had a great year last year that had many schools looking at him, and this summer he proved he can play both guard positions and score a lot of points on and off the basketball. He was named the MVP of the Hoop Group Elite 2 Top 20 game, and led a talented Team Loaded 757 team in scoring this summer.
George Mawanda-Kalema | 6’2” | Episcopal/DC Premier
New Offers: Canisius, NJIT
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #35
He went from a go-to role in high school where he led Episcopal to a VISAA Division 1 state championship to a backup role behind Prentiss Hubb, one of the top PGs on the east coast in 2018. Still, Mawanda-Kalema showed that he’s a strong guard that takes care of the ball, knocks down open shots and puts teammates in opportunities to succeed. With his high GPA and tremendous work ethic, expect some more Ivy/Patriot schools to get involved soon.
Aaron Duhart | 6’0” | Trinity Episcopal/Squires Richmond
New Offers: NJIT, UMBC
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #38
Fully healed from his knee injury, Duhart started picking up major interest in the July periods as he showed his elite on ball defense and his ability to carve the paint and find shooters. His athleticism is back, allowing him to cut with more confidence and elevate to finish at the rim, and along with his two offers he pulled in July he has a host of Ivy League schools that are recruiting him hard as well.
Denmark Slay | 5’11” | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes/District Basketball Club
New Offers: VMI, NJIT, St. Thomas Aquinas
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #51
After watching Slay extensively with DBC this summer, it’s easy to see why scholarship programs were looking at him as a possible steal that many overlook because of his size. While he isn’t the biggest, Slay is lightning quick, plays with a ton of energy on both ends of the floor and isn’t afraid of any player or moment down the stretch in close games.