Top Ball Handlers in the 757
We continue to find ways to highlight players for what they do during this time of no games, and we continue our lists of top guys in different aspects of the game. Today, we take a look at some of…
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Continue ReadingWe continue to find ways to highlight players for what they do during this time of no games, and we continue our lists of top guys in different aspects of the game. Today, we take a look at some of the best ball handlers in the 757 area. These aren’t rankings in any way, but instead a simple list of some, not all, of the best handles in the Hampton Roads.
Allen Strothers Allen Strothers 6'2" | PG Menchville | 2021 State VA | 6’2” PG | Menchville 2021
Strothers is one of the top point guards in the 757 area and he has a mix of athleticism and skill set that makes him a terrific playmaker. He’s a guy with a great first step and has the ball on the string, allowing him to break pressure and break guys down in isolation situations and get in the lane easily. He has a great crossover, he stays under control when being pressured and can make plays for himself or others off the bounce.
Jacob Cooper Jacob Cooper 5'9" | PG Green Run | 2021 State VA | 5’8” PG | Green Run 2021
One of the most skilled guards in the area, Cooper is a dual threat guy that can run the show but can also score it off the bounce in a number of ways. He isn’t the most flashy guy but he’s very under control and has a great understanding of situations and how to make the right play at the right time. He stays low with the ball in his hands, he handles pressure well and he excellent handling it in pick-and-roll situations.
Jakari Wilkins Jakari Wilkins 5'9" | PG Williamsburg Christian | 2021 State VA | 5’8” PG | Williamsburg Christian 2021
Wilkins is one of the most under the radar guards in the 757, and despite his size he makes a huge impact with his ability to create for others and himself off the bounce. He’s a lightning quick guard who changes directions and changes speeds well, and the way he has it on a string allows him to create space for himself and get in the lane at will. He’s a guy who is able to score it in bunches with tough shots and he’s a nightmare to stay in front of all game.
Sterling White Sterling White 5'11" | PG Great Bridge | 2021 State VA | 5’11” PG | Catholic 2021
White is one of the top throw back style point guards in the area, as he’s a guy who runs the show extremely well and makes everyone on his team better. He’s terrific against the press, as he’s able to handle pressure and get his team into sets, where he makes great decisions as well. He has a tight handle that allows him to create when everything breaks down as well.
Jayden Epps Jayden Epps 6'1" | CG Combine Academy | 2022 State #41 Nation NC | 6’0” PG | King’s Fork 2022
Epps is considered one of the top point guards in the country in his class, and while he still has some work to do he’s extremely confident in his ability to get where he needs to off the bounce. He changes speeds and has a killer hesitation and in-and-out combo, and the fact that he can make shots past the NBA line off the bounce makes him tough to guard one-on-one. He has great balance and stays low off the bounce, and he can get right into his shots with little to no space.
Kanye Clary Kanye Clary 5'11" | PG Massanutten | 2022 State VA | 5’11” PG | Princess Anne 2022
Clary is a little underrated in my opinion as over the past two years despite his age, he’s been one of the most consistent and poised guards in the VB area. He’s a nightmare to guard off the bounce, as he’s quick and shifty, he has a killer crossover and he has great counters to all of his moves as well. He can get by pretty much anyone in isolation situations, he’s very confident and when he gets downhill he makes great reads as well.
DeJuan Campbell DeJuan Campbell 6'1" | PG Kecoughtan | 2022 State VA | 6’0” PG | Kecoughtan 2022
Campbell has been the top scorer in the Peninsula District the past two years, and he’s already eclipsed the 1,000 point mark as just a sophomore. One of his best attributes is his handle, as he’s a guy who thrives in transition and in isolation situations as a guy who can get people going one way and he has great burst on his crossover and in-and-out moves as well. He’s able to create and score it in a number of ways off the bounce and he can get in the lane at will.
Xavier Brown Xavier Brown 6'2" | PG Oak Hill Academy | 2023 VA | 6’2” PG | Jamestown 2022
Brown was one of the breakout guys in the 757 and possibly the best public school point guard in Williamsburg this year. He showed improvement in his ability to break guys down and stay under control, and he comes at you over and over again. He has great intangibles and athleticism to go along with his tight handle and playmaking ability, and he’s going to be a guy to keep an eye on moving forward.
Elijah White Elijah White 5'11" | PG Kempsville | 2022 State VA | 5’9” PG | Kempsville 2022
White isn’t the biggest or most athletic PG in the Beach, but he’s highly skilled and very crafty off the bounce, making him tough to guard in isolation situations. He can attack going either way and is always under control with the ball in his hands, he can score it from all three levels and is an excellent shooter from deep meaning you can’t back up on him. He has some flare to him as well as he has broken many ankles in his first two years.
George Cutler IV George Cutler IV 6'1" | PG Cape Henry Collegiate | 2022 State VA | 5’10” PG | Cape Henry 2022
Cutler may be the most flashy ball handler of this group, as he has quick hands and a tight handle that allows him to keep the ball and breakdown guys when he’s being pressured. He’s able to put together some great combos and counters with his handle, and he can change directions and speeds extremely well too. There were multiple times I watched him this year and was simply wowed by his ability to pat it going both ways and handle pressure with his ability to handle the rock.