Updated 2022 Rankings: New Faces (Part 2)
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As we updated our new junior class rankings, we added over 40 new names to the list. There were quite a few reasons for the influx of new names, the biggest one being that we extended the rankings from 75…
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Continue ReadingAs we updated our new junior class rankings, we added over 40 new names to the list. There were quite a few reasons for the influx of new names, the biggest one being that we extended the rankings from 75 to 125 prospects, but we also had guys transfer in, guys transfer out, new names emerge and as always, we also just flat out forgot some guys which I’m sure we did in this one as well.
Regardless, we will take a look at the new names in our rankings, starting with part two featuring 9 guys we have added from the last rankings.
Tazir Smith Tazir Smith 6'3" | SF Virginia Academy | 2022 State VA | 6’3” SF | VA Academy (#37 Overall)
Smith was a standout last year at Colgan High School before announcing he would transfer to VA Academy and reclassify to the 2022 class, and he’s shown big improvements already. A playmaking wing that can handle it and make plays for others, Smith is the perfect plug and play wing that can do a little bit of everything on the floor and makes his teammates better as well. He’s a versatile defender, he can score from multiple levels and his trajectory is intriguing with the way he’s improved so far.
Spencer Hamilton Spencer Hamilton 6'9" | C Parry McCleur | 2022 State VA | 6’9” C | Parry McCleur (#41 Overall)
Hamilton had a breakout year last season and looks like one of the top prospects in the 540, and he exploded on the scene after his highlights hit twitter and you saw the skill set he has at his size. At 6’9”, Hamilton is a stretch five that can pull out big men with his ability to shoot it from deep, and he has good hands and soft touch in the paint as well allowing him to catch and finish in the lane too. He needs to work on his foot speed moving forward but he can protect the rim, rebound on both ends and he has an immense amount of potential moving forward. He holds an offer from ODU.
Ja’Mais Wertz Ja’Mais Wertz 6'7" | PF Life Christian Academy | 2022 VA | 6’7” PF | Life Christian Academy (#47 Overall)
Wertz may reclassify back to the 2021 class, but the improvement that he has shown over the past few years means he’ll get recruited in either class moving forward. The 6’7” big man is a little lean but his frame should fill out at the next level, he’s long and can protect the rim and he’s mobile enough to run the floor and guard on the perimeter as well. He really thrives as a stretch guy with his ability to make shots from deep and he’s big enough to shoot over top of smaller defenders and get buckets on the offensive glass as well.
Georges Archer Georges Archer 6'4" | SF Princess Anne | 2022 State VA | 6’4” SF | Princess Anne (#55 Overall)
Archer is a guy who I have been watching for a few years now, and it’s all starting to click for him as he’s grown into his body and his game has come along nicely as well. He grew from 6’1” to 6’4” seemingly overnight, and he filled out nicely and became super explosive as well as he now plays above the rim on a regular basis. He’s a high motor and blue collar kind of guy who brings it on both ends, he can stick it from deep when he’s left open and he can use his size and athleticism to finish through traffic with ease.
Marquis Dunklin Marquis Dunklin 6'0" | CG Bishop Ireton | 2022 State VA | 6’0” CG | Bishop Ireton (#56 Overal)
One of the more underrated guards in the DMV area, Dunklin is a guy who just flat out makes winning plays for his team on both ends of the floor. He’s an athletic guard who can blow by guys and make plays at the rim, he’s a good defender both on and off the basketball and he’s a tough guy who isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body for his team. He makes good decisions with the ball in his hands, he can score it from multiple levels and he brings a toughness to his team that makes him a natural born leader.
Cam Gregory Cam Gregory 6'5" | CG Steward School | 2022 State VA | 6’2” CG | Steward School (#57 Overall)
A transfer from Eleanor Roosevelt in Maryland, Gregory made an immediate splash as he joined Team Richmond and played in multiple events this summer and fall and found himself as a perfect fit at Steward School. A long and athletic combo guard, Gregory is a guy who can create off the bounce and also moves well without the ball, and he’s able to get open and make tough shots from multiple levels. His length gives him a big advantage on the defensive end, and he thrives in transition where he can get to the rim or make plays for others.
Roman Barshow Roman Barshow 6'6" | PF Steward School | 2022 State VA | 6’6” PF | Highland School (#58 Overall)
Highland School had a very good year last year making it to the VISAA D2 State Semifinals, and they look even better this year with some new pieces including Barshow. A 6’6” hybrid forward, Barshow has a mix of perimeter and post skill set that makes him tough to matchup with. He has a great frame that should fill out nicely, he’s much more athletic than he looks and he brings it on both ends of the floor.
Chris Brown Chris Brown 6'5" | SG Peninsula Catholic | 2022 State VA | 6’3” SG | Peninsula Catholic (#62 Overall)
Brown is a very intriguing prospect that is starting to figure it out, and with his size and athleticism he’s a guy who could see his recruitment take off moving forward. At 6’3” he’s the type of guy who will come help side and meet a driver at the rim, he is fearless when he gets downhill and he has the ability to create and make shots from multiple levels as well. He’s continually gotten better over the past few years, and as it continues to click I expect him to start seeing colleges from multiple levels take interest in him.
Reiss Whitaker Reiss Whitaker 6'7" | PF Highland | 2022 State VA | 6’7” PF | Highland School (#65 Overall)
Whitaker is another Highland School forward that is intriguing with his size and skill set that makes him a mismatch problem both at this level and at the next level moving forward. He’s a hybrid forward that can play multiple positions, he has the size and athleticism to bang in the post and he has great touch out to the three-point line where he can stretch the defense and create driving lanes for his guards.