Summer Stock Boosters: 2019 Bigs (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 2019 bigs.
Armando Bacot | 6’8” | Trinity Episcopal/Team Loaded VA
New Offers: ODU, UCF, Providence, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Richmond, Georgia Tech, JMU, VCU
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #1
A few other bigs showed that they may have a higher ceiling than Bacot moving forward, but he’s as close to a sure thing as you’ll find from a young big man. He has to get more athletic to take the next jump, and at times it looks like he’s coasting, but it’s likely because it’s so easy for him. He can score it over both shoulders in the post, can shoot the midrange and has great feel in the post where he always makes the right move and can distribute out of it as well. Offensively he has the total package, and as he gets bigger and more athletic he’ll be more effective on the defensive end as well.
Qudus Wahab | 6’11” | VA Academy/Uncommon Bulls 16U
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #2
With young big men, seeing consistent improvement is one of the most encouraging things to see, and Wahab showed that throughout the summer. He’s been on the radar because of his height and athleticism for a while, but now he’s developing that killer instinct you want to see. He showed out at both Scouts Focus All American and both Hoop Group Elite One and Future All American camp, and those up and down systems fit him well as he get get up and down, hit the offensive glass and show his athleticism. He’s shown improvement in his middle game, and will be fun to watch him develop.
Oscar Tshiewebe | 6’7” | Mount Mission/Team Loaded VA
New Offers: Virginia Tech, WVU
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #4
Bacot’s the polished big, Wahab is the one with potential, Tshiewebe is the producer with an unending motor. I coached him at the Phenom Top 80 event, and all he did was run the floor, rebound everything and get easy dunks and putbacks. He played everywhere for Loaded VA, starting on their 15U team but playing for both the 16 and 17U teams in the Summer Finale. He’s a monster of a young man, with broad shoulders and a huge upper body that he hasn’t even truly grown into. He has some polishing to do, but he’s a true double-double machine against the best of the best.
Jaden Frazier | 6’8” | Blue Ridge/Team Loaded VA
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #19
Frazier seems to be taking the necessary leaps in his game, and that’s very encouraging because he has the chance to be a very versatile and good four man that has division one potential. His biggest strength is his ability to step out and play from fifteen feet and out, because it makes him a huge mismatch that defenses have to change their gameplan for. He’s alway been talented, but looked more confident and vocal over the summer which has always been an issue for him. He seems to be having more fun playing for a winning team, and his play improved when he was enjoying himself. He’ll have a chance to play some big minutes for Blue Ridge this season if he continues his stellar play into the season.
Jonas Munson | 6’11” | West Potomac/Boo Williams
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #30
He was 6’11” as a freshman, and what’s crazy is that many people say that he may still have three or more inches to grow. He’s a classic project big, so it’s tough to fully evaluate him now, but what was good was that he found his niche on a guard heavy team and became more of a productive player as the summer went on. He alters a ton of shots defensively, as you could imagine, and he’s able to get out and run the floor for stick backs when he’s fresh. He has a lot of work to do, but he’s a coordinated 6’11” big that plays hard,