Best Available: Blue Collar Bigs 804 Edition
With the end of the 2017 high school basketball season right around the corner, there are still plenty of talented collegiate prospects that are available to fit a number of different systems. Over the next week or so, we will…
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Continue ReadingWith the end of the 2017 high school basketball season right around the corner, there are still plenty of talented collegiate prospects that are available to fit a number of different systems. Over the next week or so, we will be doing a “Best Available” series, giving coaches an idea of what kids are available and what kind of style they play in.
As we continue, we take a look at six available big men in the Greater Richmond Area. Stay tuned for more best available pieces moving forward. (This list is in no particular order and the order in no way reflects any kind of rankings.)
John Sally | 6’10” | Benedictine
He may be slow, but there aren’t many 6’10” rim protectors that are still available right now. Sally has decent hands, finishes plays around the rim and is a great anchor in a 2-3 zone. He contests shots without fouling, rebounds well and gives a lot of effort on both ends. If someone can continue to work on his body and develop his post game he could end up as a solid division one player.
Marco Suggs | 6’6” | Henrico
Suggs has been on varsity since his sophomore season and played sparingly on a stacked front line before this season. Now that he’s their only true big man he’s had to step in and step up, which he has. He’s a strong force in the post, yet he moves well for his size when running the floor. He can hold the paint down defensively, rebounds well and doesn’t mind doing the dirty work for his team.
Kabir Shabazz | 6’6” | Huguenot
He almost ended up in the wings or utility player list but Shabazz is better guarding bigs and challenging shots coming on the help side. He has huge hands and is quick off his feet, allowing him to catch and finish with ease in the paint. He runs the floor well and has developed a decent midrange jump shot over the past few years.
Kenneth Southerland | 6’6” | Varina
Southerland is a lot like Shabazz but he’s a little more fine tuned offensively. His athleticism for his frame makes no sense, as he’s able to climb the ladder and just out leap everyone. He finished above the rim well, and he can cause mismatches by facing up in the mid-post where he has a pretty reliable jump shot. He also rebounds well on both ends and has shown great improvement in a number of areas over the past two years.
Ben Stanley | 6’5” | Millwood
Stanley’s best when he can be used as an undersized four man where he can use his motor, athleticism and strong frame to outwork bigger and slower bigs. He’s shown as much or more improvement than anyone on this list as well. The lefty is shooting it much better, even stepping out and knocking down some threes, and he’s relentless on the glass on both ends. A relentless worker, if he continues to improve his off hand and his ball handling he could end up as a steal at the division one level.
Jamil Burrell | 6’4” | Hermitage
A late bloomer, Burrell is the perfect kid who’s under the radar to take a chance on because he has good grades and a great competitive spirit and work ethic about him. It shows in his game as well, where he crashes the glass, fights for 50-50 balls and will do what it takes to win. He finishes well around the basket, and gets to the free throw line where he converts well.