CBG Fall Series 2: Underclass Standouts (Part 2)
The Commonwealth Basketball Group held their second session of their Fall Series at Guardian Christian Academy in Chesterfield, VA. The goal of the event was to get kids back in the gym in a grassroots setting, and provide a live…
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Continue ReadingThe Commonwealth Basketball Group held their second session of their Fall Series at Guardian Christian Academy in Chesterfield, VA. The goal of the event was to get kids back in the gym in a grassroots setting, and provide a live steam to college coaches to be able to evaluate the talent in a structured environment.
The event had 16 teams and was loaded with talent, so doing the standouts in just one article simply isn’t possible. Here’s a look at part one of the 2023-2024 standouts, featuring seven guys to keep an eye on.
Etienne Strothers Etienne Strothers 6'1" | PG Menchville | 2023 State VA | 5’11” G | Hard 2 Guard 2023
Strothers’ older brother Allen has been a big headliner for the event in the 2021 class, but Etienne is looking like he’s ready to emerge as a big time prospect himself and they’re far from similar players. While Allen is a long and bouncy playmaker and Etienne has some similar qualities there, Etienne is more of a scorer and shooter who can knock down shots from multiple levels and gets hot quickly. He’s part of a 2023 group that has a very bright future moving forward.
AJ Clark AJ Clark 6'2" | SG Menchville | 2023 State VA | 6’1” G | Hard 2 Guard 2023
Clark is another one in that 2023 group, and he had one of the plays of the day as the sophomore shocked many when he took off and threw down a big time slam showing off his athleticism. Clark’s shiftiness was on display as well as he showed he can handle and create in both transition and in the half court, he gets after it defensively and is oozing with potential moving forward.
Ryan Hite Ryan Hite 6'3" | PG King's Fork | 2023 State VA | 6’2” G | CBG 460 2023
Hite looks like a totally different player than I saw over the past year as he’s grown to about 6’2” and has filled out nicely with broad shoulders and good strength for his age. He’s a guy who’s still figuring things out at times but he shows great flashes as a guy who can play both guard positions and be a two way impact guy with his athleticism and size. He’s a tough kid who can shoot it from deep, make plays for others and should continue to develop into a very good player.
Kaleb Brown Kaleb Brown 6'3" | SG King's Fork | 2023 VA | 6’2” G | CBG 460 2023
Brown was one of the best freshmen in the state last year at Nansemond-Suffolk and while he’s still gelling with his new team he showed flashes of his ability to make shots from deep and his deep range. He’s a stocky guard who can play on or off the ball, and he’s consistent from deep both off the catch and off the bounce. It was his first time playing with this team so he’s going to continue to get better and be more impressive with time.
Yuri Manns Yuri Manns 6'3" | CG LC Bird | 2023 State VA | 6’3” G | CBG Wildcats 2023
While he’s just a sophomore, Manns is one of the most experienced guys on his team this year and he looks ready to take a much bigger role this year. A long guard that can play on and off the basketball, he continues to get better every time I see him and he looks like a guy who could be a breakout player in the Richmond area this year. He’s able to create and make shots from multiple levels, has a good motor and makes hustle plays as well.
Steven Stinson Steven Stinson 6'5" | SF John Marshall | 2023 State VA | 6’5” F | Team Assists Orange 2023
Stinson is another guy who’s primed for a breakout year this year in Richmond, an he’s looking like a guy who could be a possible high level prospect moving forward. He has all of the physical tools with his size and strength, he’s a good athlete who should get more explosive and he can contribute in a number of ways on the offensive end. He can create shots and make them from multiple levels, he rebounds at a high rate on both ends and he can make plays for others as well.
Damon Thompson | 5’9” PG | CBG Blue Magic 2024
Thompson is on a Blue Magic team that’s loaded with talent, but watching him it’s easy to see that he’ll have a chance to be very good moving forward. The 5’9” point guard is a natural talent that is poised, plays with a good IQ and he came off the bench to make plays for himself and others throughout the day. He takes care of the ball, has a good middle game and doesn’t back down from matchups already.