Summer Stock Boosters: 2018 Point Guards (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. Here’s part one of the 2018 point guards.
Rasir Bolton | 6’2” | TBA/Team Loaded VA 17U
New Offers: Ole Miss, Cincinnati, VCU
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #7
He still hasn’t announced where he’ll be going to school for his junior year, but Bolton was fantastic playing up on the Adidas Gauntlet Circuit with Loaded VA. The point guard showed the ability to keep everyone involved, then take over when needed down the stretch. His 17 points in the second half of a Loaded comeback win over SE Elite in the Summer Finale earned him a few high major offers, and more are sure to follow him wherever he goes.
Alex Petrie | 6’3” | St. Christopher’s/River City Reign
New Offers: Radford, Lafayette, Northeastern, Drexel, Towson
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #9
After deciding to reclassify, Petrie tore it up this summer giving straight buckets to everyone that was in his way. He isn’t the best athlete, although he’s getting better, but his ability to create space to get his shot off on the perimeter is as good as anyone in the class. He has good size and is a strong kid, allowing him to finish through contact, and he’s a good enough shooter to work off the basketball when many teams box-and-oned him. His stock is rising as fast as any player in the state right now.
Xavier Johnson | 6’2” | Bishop O’Conell/Team Takeover
New Offers: Manhattan, Towson
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #12
Johnson played with the same intensity on both ends this summer that made him such a valuable piece for Bishop O’Connell in their playoff run last season. He’s a dog defensively and a spark plug on both ends, one that makes the hustle play or the extra pass, crashes the boards for a tip in or throws down a one handed slam on the break. He has good vision when getting in the lane and breaking down the defense, and with Ako Adams gone he has a chance to show that he’s among the best guards in the WCAC.
Jonathan Norfleet | 6’1” | Salem/Team Loaded VA
New Offers: Mount St. Mary’s, Hampton, Norfolk State
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #15
Norfleet has always had the physical and athletic tools to be a high level player at the one. He’s quick, pushes it in transition, is athletic enough to finish at the rim and has the upper body to muscle in shots over big men. He showed flashes of what could be, as he showed more consistency in his jumper and was making more sound decisions with the ball when attacking. As he continues to improve as a playmaker, his stock will continue to rise.
Joe Bryant Jr. | 6’1” | Lake Taylor/Boo Williams
New Offers: Hampton
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #16
“Bully” is possibly the best term to describe Bryant, and that’s a good thing. He has a massive upper body, with broad shoulder that he uses to bounce defenders off of him and finish plays at the rim. He’s shifty too, able to get defenders rocking one way off the bounce and getting in the lane to create for himself and others. Once he becomes a consistent shooter from deep, more schools are going to likely make a push at him because of his college ready body.
Mac McClung | 6’1” | Gate City/Team Loaded VA
New Offers: Kent State, Miami (OH), Radford
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #18
Toughness and athleticism may not be the first two words that come to mind when you look at McClung, but just a couple minutes into watching him play you’ll change your mind. He’s very springy, has a lightning quick first step and will put his nose right in the middle of a scrum to get a 50-50 ball. He can sometimes force things, but his all out style and upside impressed quite a few mid major schools, including the three that offered.