ASSIST Tip-Off Underclassmen Standouts
Every year the ASSIST Student Athletes group puts on a number of events throughout the season to help give kids extra exposure to help them get into college. One of their best ones is always the ASSIST Tip Off Classic…
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Continue ReadingEvery year the ASSIST Student Athletes group puts on a number of events throughout the season to help give kids extra exposure to help them get into college. One of their best ones is always the ASSIST Tip Off Classic held at Meadowbrook for as long as I’ve been doing this. It featured five good games and numerous next level prospects for all levels. We’ll take a look at some of the underclassmen standouts here.
Ronald Bellamy | 6’1′ G | Lakeland 2020
Bellamy was named MVP in Lakeland’s win over Thomas Jefferson, and he only finished with seven points the entire game. However, Bellamy did a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor for them, as he pitched in with a time high eight rebounds and seven assists and three blocks. The 6’1” guard showed he can make plays with the ball in his hands and he showed his good athleticism on the defensive end and on the glass.
Sasha Glushkov | 6’11” PF | Blue Ridge 2020
The junior from Russia didn’t have the best game, but he definitely has a chance to be very special with his size and skill set and the fact that Blue Ridge has a history of developing young big men. Glushkov is a euro style big man who can shoot the three ball, pass from the perimeter and high post and he can rebound and finish in the post. He’ll be a guy to keep an eye on moving forward.
Dominique Finney | 6’5” PF | Life Christian 2020
Finney was phenomenal in LCA’s win over Great Bridge Christian, leading the team with 22 points and some highlight real finishes above the rim. While he’s only 6’5”, Finney has very long arms and great bounce, and he loves to finish everything above the rim. He showed improved touch from the perimeter as well, hitting two from deep, and he moved without the ball and found ways to score throughout the game.
Marcellus Avery | 6’6” PF | Life Christian 2020
Avery showed his exceptional talent that makes him a top 10 player in his class in VA on the way to 20 points and seven rebounds in LCA’s win over Great Bridge Christian. At 6’6”, he did a great job matching up with a GCB front line that features over four guys that are taller than him, and he used his guard skills to take his man out and become a mismatch. He has three level scoring ability and he can tons of natural ability.
Kenari Jones | 5’10” PG | Great Bridge Christian 2020
Despite all of the big men and their recruitment, Jones is part of a backcourt that will likely score many of the points this season for GCB. At 5’10”, he’s lightning quick off the bounce and has good footwork on his pull-up from the midrange. He can get to the rack and finish around the rim, he can shoot the three ball and he’s a dog on the defensive end as well.
Jeriah Coleman | 6’11” C | Great Bridge Christian 2020
Coleman is still raw, but there’s no doubt he’ll be a mid to high major prospect by the time he graduates. He’s a legitimate 6’11” with a good frame and he can run the floor, and he pursues rebounds hard on both ends of the floor. He can impact the game in the middle with his size, he keeps tons of plays alive and get his team second chance opportunities and he will grow and improve a lot moving forward.
Elijah Seward | 5’11” G | John Marshall 2020
A guy who has made big strides in the last few years, Seward is starting to make shots at a high clip and use his athleticism at the basket to finish. The lefty hit three three-pointers on the game, and he attacked closeouts well after that and he has great hang time that allows him to take contact, stay toward the rim and finish in traffic. The fact that he’s consistently making shots from deep is a good sign moving forward.
LaShaun Lee | 6’6” PF | Norview 2021
Lee missed all of last season with a leg injury, now that he’s back he’s making a big impact for Norview. The 6’6” big man still needs to continue to get in shape, but he played most of the game and impacted it in a number of ways. He showed good touch, hands and footwork, and while he isn’t the most athletic guy he held his own on the glass and got up and down the floor well.
Quentin Livingston | 6’3” WG | Lakeland 2021
Another young stud on Lakeland, Livingston might have the highest ceiling of anyone on a team that will return almost everyone next year. At 6’3”, he has great length and a good frame to play in the backcourt, and he can handle and create his own shot off the bounce. He can guard multiple positions and do a little of everything, as he finished with a stellar 11 points and four rebounds.
Mike Gray | 6’1” G | Blue Ridge 2021
Gray was named MVP in the first game of the classic as he led a balanced Blue Ridge attack with 13 points. The Barons look like favorites in the VISAA D2 so far this season, and Gray’s ability as a scorer will be critical if they’re going to make a run. He has three level scoring ability, he can do it on or off the basketball and he has the ability to take games over from a scoring standpoint.
Davian Coleman | 6’8” C | Great Bridge Christian 2022
The younger brother of Jeriah Coleman, Davian has a ways to go but if he can continue to develop he’s going to be a high level big man moving forward. He still is going to grow physically, he’s learning the game and he’s playing against good competition in practice everyday. He can run the floor and finish in the paint and he’s a good rim protector as well.