Small School Commitments in VA

<p>While everyone talks about division one commitments including us, we at Prep Hoops have always took pride in reporting on not just division one level players but all levels of players in VA. It especially makes sense in VA, where we have an abundance of lower level schools that compete on a national level. While I’m sure there are plenty more than just this, here’s a look at 9 guys across the state that have committed to division two or division three schools.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="798706" first="Cade" last="Looney"] | 6’8”C | Grundy (Emory &amp; Henry)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Looney-Cade.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1089914" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Looney-Cade-140x300.jpg" alt="" width="140" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Emory &amp; Henry announced earlier this week that they will be transitioning to the division two level and playing in the South Atlantic Conference, and they also landed a couple of in state recruits including Looney who is from about an hour and a half away. The 6’8” big has been one of the top players in Southwest VA over the past few years, and he brings a mix of size, IQ and good touch around the rim. He can stretch the floor and has a good skill set offensively, he competes and protects the rim defensively and if he can get stronger and continue to develop he’ll be a nice get for them.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="798737" first="Jaylen" last="Leftwich"] | 6’3” CG | Liberty Christian (Emory &amp; Henry)</strong></p> <p>Leftwich is another solid in state recruit for the program as they rise in divisions, as he brings the necessary size at the guard position to compete at a higher level. Leftwich is a guy who can play on and off the basketball, he makes others better and he’s able to use his size to finish in transition and make shots over smaller guards. He will be good in the fact that he can play both guard positions, he brings intangibles like leadership to the team and he’s a good athlete who should get better with collegiate training.</p> <p><strong>Robert "Cole" Grubbs | 6’8” PF | James River (Ursinus College (PA))</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Grubbs-Robert.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1034581" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Grubbs-Robert-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Grubbs is a great get for Ursinus which plays in the Centennial Conference, a very talented Division 3 league in Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. Grubbs has all the tools to be successful at this level, including good size and a terrific motor on both ends of the floor. He pursues the basketball and will be a good rim protector at that level, he has good hands and soft touch out to the three-point line and he’s strong and a physical paint presence as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="798708" first="Mason" last="Makovec"] | 6’6” F | Kellam (Lynchburg University)</strong></p> <p>Makovec is heading to Lynchburg University in the ODAC as their first get of the 2021 class and he’s an intriguing fit in the ODAC with his versatility on the offensive end at his size. He’s a true inside-out guy who’s comfortable shooting and scoring from all three levels, and he should be able to guard multiple positions and be a mismatch in this league. He’s got a smooth stroke from the high post extended, he can score over either shoulder and he can rebound and push in transition as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="798748" first="Zach" last="Rosenthal"] | 6’1” WG | Steward School (Roanoke College)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Rosenthal-Zach.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1070324" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Rosenthal-Zach-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Rosenthal is a guy I knew would be a terrific Division 3 player when I watched him from day one because despite not being the most athletic or big guy he finds ways to be productive and brings it against the best. Rosenthal can do a few things but at Roanoke he’ll fit in as a shooter specialist and a guy who brings toughness and grit on the defensive end. The lefty can really let it fly from deep, he’s a guy who will sacrifice his body for his team and he’s always around the ball to make a play.</p> <p><strong>Hayden James | 5’9” PG | Heritage Christian (Roanoke College)</strong></p> <p>James is a guy who doesn’t play for a big school or in a big league but he absolutely dominates who he plays against and despite not being the biggest guy he has a terrific skill set and can flat out play. He’s bouncy and has a quick first step, he creates space and can make shots from all three levels and I believe as he plays with better competition he’ll show he can create for guys as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957902" first="Josh" last="Morse"] | 6’6” PF | Albemarle County (Roanoke College)</strong></p> <p>The Maroons are loading up early as Morse is yet another guy heading to Salem to play for Clay Nunley and the up and coming Roanoke program. Morse is another guy that fits the style of play and system for RC as he has good touch, can stretch the floor and protect the rim at the same time. He has good hands and can score in the paint as well, but he’ll thrive as a pick-and-pop guy that will open driving lanes for his guards.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="798725" first="Tanner" last="Selkirk"] | 6’2” WG | Lord Botetourt (Southeastern University (FL))</strong></p> <p>Selkirk will head to Florida where he will play in the NAIA for Southeastern University in Lakeland just outside of Tampa Bay. The 6’2” wing has been one of the top players in the Roanoke area the past few years, and he’s a guy who works tirelessly at his game and in the weight room to continue to get better. He can knock down shots from deep, he’s a surprisingly bouncy kid and with his work ethic I would bet on him getting better.</p> <p><strong>Noah Adams | 6’0”PG | Woodberry Forest (Shenandoah University)</strong></p> <p>Adams is a guy I didn’t know much about, but I watched him on film this summer with Team Richmond and I have to say I was impressed and think he’ll be a good get at Shenandoah. He isn’t the biggest guy but he’s a true floor general, he plays extremely hard on both ends and he’s quick with a good skill set at the point guard position. He can impact the game on both ends and he’s going to buy into the culture according to his coaches.</p>