VA Recruiting Recap: 2022 July Offers
Although college coaches can’t be in person at grassroots events, there have been plenty that have taken notice through services and live streams and have started to recruit new guys in doing so. We will take a look at some…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAlthough college coaches can’t be in person at grassroots events, there have been plenty that have taken notice through services and live streams and have started to recruit new guys in doing so. We will take a look at some of the recruitment frenzy going on right now, taking a look at some 2022 guys that have received offers in the month of July.
Justyn Fernandez Justyn Fernandez 6'4" | CG IMG Academy | 2022 #125 Nation VA | 6’4” CG | VES 2022
Offers: La Salle
Fernandez is a guy I really expect to blow up after reclassifying to the 2022 class where he’ll have a chance to continue to refine his game and get stronger while getting more exposure. At Monacan last year he emerged as a division one prospect with his size and ability to play both guard positions. At the DC Premier scrimmage he was a standout and picked up an offer from La Salle, and the smooth scoring combo should attract many more division one guys when they see how he can go and score it in so many different ways.
Justin Taylor Justin Taylor 6'5" | SG IMG Academy | 2022 State #156 Nation FL | 6’5” WG | STAB 2022
New Offers: Syracuse
Taylor is a guy who could have had a monster summer playing with Team Takeover after he broke onto the national scene and into the national rankings as a junior this past year. While he hasn’t got that chance to play in front of coaches, when talking with the Takeover coaches they have been very impressed and say that he’s even better than they thought, and he deserves every bit of that national ranking. He picked up a recent offer from Syracuse to add to the list of Georgetown, Richmond, Butler, Maryland, NC State, Virginia Tech, ODU and more. He’s one of the best shooters in his class and has prototypical size to do it at the highest level, and he’s a hard working kid who has steadily improved in different aspects of his game over the past few years.
Paul Lewis Paul Lewis 6'1" | PG Bishop O'Connell | 2022 State VA | 6’1” PG | Bishop O’Connell 2022
New Offers: Georgetown, Cleveland State, ECU
Lewis has been one of the hottest prospects in Northern VA and for good measure as he had a breakout sophomore year including a 35 point game on the national stage in an upset over California powerhouse Mater Dei. The younger brother of former O’Connell standout and current JMU star Matt Lewis, the younger Lewis doesn’t quite have the same height but he has a ton of game to go with it. He’s a tough nosed and skilled lead guard who can fill it up from multiple levels, has deep range and can get to his spots off the bounce. He adds Georgetown, Cleveland State and ECU to a list that already included ODU, JMU, Maryland and Bryant.
Jaden Daughtry Jaden Daughtry 6'6" | SF Benedictine College Prep | 2022 VA | 6’6” F | Benedictine 2022
New Offers: Marshall, Hampton
Daughtry is my pick for the guy in Richmond who is going to breakout this year, as he was slowed somewhat by some injuries during his sophomore campaign. However, he went down to Big Shots Nationals and played up on BWSL Marsh 17U and was one of the best players there, earning all tournament honors and catching the eye of scouting services and coaches that were tuned in. The 6’6” hybrid forward is chock full of potential as a guy who can play inside-out, has great motor and good strength on both ends and has a budding skill set that will only get better with time. He added Marshall and Hampton to a list that already included Bethune-Cookman, Norfolk State and ODU.
Alphonzo Billups Alphonzo Billups 6'7" | SF Varina | 2022 State #154 Nation VA | 6’5” WF | Varina 2022
New Offers: La Salle, Bryant, Wichita State
Billups is no longer the secret in VA as he has exploded on the scene with a number of impressive offers this summer and has broke into the national rankings with Rivals. He had a terrific sophomore season helping a young Varina team many thought would be rebuilding to a state tournament appearance, and he has so much potential with his mix of size, athleticism and a budding skill set that he seems to just now be scratching the surface with. He added La Salle, Bryant and Wichita State this month, and earlier this summer he picked up offers from Temple, VCU, Texas A&M, Clemson, Murray State, JMU, Bethune-Cookman, Appalachian State, Ole Miss and Richmond.
Kanye Clary Kanye Clary 5'11" | PG Massanutten | 2022 State VA | 5’10” PG | Massanutten 2022
New Offers: Texas A&M, JMU
I have been advocating for Clary for over a year now as I think he’s one of the best point guards in the state regardless of class, and he’s starting to get that recognition after some good camp showings. He isn’t the biggest guy at 5’10” but he’s a true floor general that is dynamic off the bounce, can get in the lane in isolation or pick-and-roll situations and he’s a terrific playmaker and a crafty finisher around the basket. He picked up recent offers from Texas A&M and JMU and playing up on Massanutten’s post grad team next year should get him some much needed exposure against high level competition.
Houston Emory Houston Emory 6'10" | C Blue Ridge | 2022 State VA | 6’10” C | Blue Ridge 2022
New Offers: La Salle
A native of the Philadelphia area who missed all of last year due to a back injury and decided to reclassify to the 2022 class, Emory may be the best kept secret in VA but not for much longer. He picked up an offer from La Salle out of his native Philly to go along with an offer from ODU, and once more coaches see his mobility and potential at 6’10” he’ll have more and more offers coming in. He’s a two way impact guy that can protect the rim and run the floor well, and as he gets stronger and improves his skill set offensively he could take a big jump moving forward.
Greg Melvin Greg Melvin 6'7" | PF Cape Henry | 2022 State VA | 6’7” F | Cape Henry 2022
New Offers: Norfolk State, Fairfield, Bryant
One of the most underrated guys in the entire 2022 class, Melvin is starting to get what he deserves as he picked up his first three offers since he was offered by Drake and Canisius two years ago. Melvin is a guy whose best basketball is likely ahead of him, as he has a tremendous frame and athleticism to go along with it, and he plays with a great motor that makes him productive in a number of ways on both ends. He has the versatility to play and guard multiple positions, he’s improving on the offensive end every day and he rebounds the ball extremely well on both ends.
Kenyon Giles Kenyon Giles 5'11" | PG Oscar Smith | 2022 NV | 5’8” PG | Oscar Smith 2022
New Offers: Norfolk State
Giles continues to show that despite the fact he isn’t the biggest or most athletic guy on the floor, he can hoop with the best of them and will continue to see offers role in as he continues to prove himself. He’s a highly intelligent and skilled lead guard who can both score it and make plays for others, he has great fundamentals on both ends and he brings a chip and competitive spirit to whatever game he’s playing in. He added Norfolk State to go along with offers from Virginia State, Southern Utah and others.