Bouncy Guards/Wings: 804 Edition (Part 2)
As we continue to look at some lists of the best in the state, we look at where I live in the Richmond area. With so many athletes in the area we can’t do it all in one article, so…
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Continue ReadingAs we continue to look at some lists of the best in the state, we look at where I live in the Richmond area. With so many athletes in the area we can’t do it all in one article, so we take a look at part two featuring 7 kids who will put you on a poster.
Caleb Kenny | 6’5” G/F | Douglas Freeman 2021
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Kenny is one of the more underrated and versatile guys in the Richmond area, as the 6’5” forward can play and guard almost any position. He’s a long and skilled guy that will attack the rim and take off and challenge guys at the rim, and if you’re just a second or two too late he will catch the body and turn around like it was nothing to him. The fact that he can put it on the deck gives him ample opportunities to do that as well.
DJ Simms | 6’3” G | Hanover 2021
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Simms doesn’t play at a powerhouse or play in a ton of big games, but if you get a chance to watch him at Hanover he will impress you with his athleticism and sometimes his creativity as well. I have seen him multiple times go off the glass on the break, and I’ve seen him catch quite a few off the rim as well. Some kids grow into it, but Simms is a guy who has been this way since day one at Hanover.
James Patterson | 6’2” G | Meadowbrook 2021
The Monarchs have had a very stellar year so far, and it’s due in big part to their length and athleticism in the front court. However, Patterson is one of their go to guards and he’s put on a show this year with quite a few highlight reel worthy dunks for himself. The 6’2” guard is a slasher who gets downhill and is able to use his strength around the rim, and he isn’t afraid to take someone head on and meet them at the rim where he’ll finish quite a few above it.
Khalil Ward | 6’3” G/F | Richmond Christian 2021
One of the more under the radar kids on this list, Ward is originally an Amelia County kid who reclassified and is having a good season at Richmond Christian. He’s still a little raw on the offensive end, but he has some next level athleticism and great length that allows him to make plays others can’t make. On both ends of the floor he’s able to use his length and athleticism whether it’s getting a deflection, coming help side for a block, rising for a rebound or trying to put one down when many others simply can’t.
Dion Tuell | 5’11” G | Church Hill Academy 2021
Another under the radar kid that people will find out more about, Tuell is the smallest guy on this list but that doesn’t stop him from making some big time finishes above the rim. The 5’11” guard can get up with the best of them, throwing down big time in transition with different tomahawks and windmills he’s capable of throwing down. He’s also a guy who can defend and make shots from deep as well.
Alphonzo “Fatts” Billups | 6’5” WF | Varina 2022
The breakout sophomore in the Richmond area has a ton of game, and one of the things he has is great athleticism at his position. He’s a guy who can break you down off the dribble and can shoot it from deep, but I’ve also seen him get out in transition and throw it down on someone’s head and let him know about it the whole way home. As he continues to grow into his body he should become even more explosive, and that will be a major problem for defenders.
Arbriel Winfield | 6’7” F | LC Bird 2022
Winfield isn’t really a wing as much as he’s a face up four, but he’s a guy who can play on the perimeter and inside and use his length and athleticism in a number of ways. At 6’7” he’s able to step out and shoot threes or finish above the rim, and he’s a solid rebounder with his athleticism as well. He’s just scratching the surface with how good he will be, and he could very well be a guy that everyone in Richmond knows about soon enough.
Dennis Parker Jr. | 6’6” WF | John Marshall 2023
The freshman over at John Marshall took very little time to make an impact and one of the things that makes him so special at a young age is his blend of size and athleticism already. He can put it on the deck and get in the lane, and he has a strong enough frame already to take contact and finish through it or contort his body to finish with the foul. In transition he can easily throw it down and he’s only going to get more athletic as he continues to grow into his body.