Vantage Hoops Top 250 Expo: 2019 Standouts (Part 1)
The 2018 Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo at Randolph Macon College last Saturday was a huge success, bringing over 120 high school players from the Virginia area and beyond to compete in front of scouts and college coaches. The atmosphere was great with skill development drills and intensely competitive games as kids pushed each other during the final exposure event before the high school season began.
Throughout the next week or so, we will be breaking down some of the best performers of the event in a number of ways. We will be doing class breakdowns of top performers and top breakout performers, along with specialized lists that include top shooters, top defenders and others across the board.
We start our look at the rising junior class, with part one of our 2019 standouts.
Alex Fitch | 6’4” WG | Rock Ridge
One of the best shooters in the 2019 class, Fitch has improved in a lot of ways since moving from Roanoke to the NOVA area over the summer. He has great length and uses it more on the defensive end, has shown an improved handle and has a great feel on both ends of the floor. His greatest strength is still his shooting though, because he has great range, a quick release and great form that looks the same on every shot. He can really light it up when he gets it going, and we’re expecting him to be one of the top scorers in the Loudoun County area this year.
Christian Butler | 6’0” WG | Glen Allen
Butler is a well built and explosive two guard who made a number of eye opening plays on both ends of the floor. He has a quick first step with the ball in his hands, is a good cutter that moves well without the ball in his hands and he thrives in transition where he can use his athleticism and strength to finish above or around the rim. His mix of strength and athleticism also allows him to defend multiple positions and he’s a good rebounder for a guard. He showed the ability to make the midrange jump shot when defenders play off him, and if he continues to improve that and his handle he could be a breakout player in the Richmond area this year.
Trevor Robinson | 6’8” PF | Jefferson Forest
A true post from Lynchburg with good footwork and a soft touch, Robinson has filled out his upper body and become more nimble on his feet, making him able to dominate in the post on the offensive end. He has an array of back-to-the-basket moves, hits the offensive glass for tip ins and he can run the floor with guards and finish in transition. He’s also a big time rim protector and should be a double-double guy if he plays with the intensity on both ends that he did at the camp.
Dan Banister | 6’5” WG | Cape Henry
We were really impressed with Banister’s demeanor as a team player and great teammate. He was vocal on both ends of the floor, was always there to help his teammates up and gave encouragement throughout the event. He was also a competitior, not backing down from big situations and showing some toughness to him. He has great length, bothering ball handlers and shooters on the defensive end, and h’s a knock down shooter from deep off the catch. As he fills out and improves his handle, Banister should become more of an all around scorer on the offensive end, but his ability to make shots and play in transition makes him an impact guy now.
Noel Brown | 6’9” PF | Temple Baptist
Brown is the classic late developer as a big man, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him as a scholarship player in a couple of years. At 6’9”, you can tell he’s finally growing into his body so he’s moving and getting up and down the floor better, and defensively he’s able to come help side to block/alter shots on driving guards and wings. He doesn’t try to be something he isn’t, as he’s more than wiling to post up or crash the glass instead of floating on the perimeter. He has good hands, can finish over both shoulders and has a tremendous work ethic, meaning he’ll only get better with time and could be a steal at the next level.