Updated 2022 Rankings: New Faces (Part 5)

<p>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 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.</p> <p>Regardless, we will take a look at the new names in our rankings, starting with part four featuring 8 guys we have added from the last rankings.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1107885" first="Austin" last="Smith"] | 6’0” CG | Potomac School (#116 Overall)</strong></p> <p>Smith is a throwback style guard who has a good skill set and makes winning plays for his team on both ends. He has a competitive chip to himself, he’s a guy who is always in control and sets the tone on both ends and he makes great reads and decisions as well. He’s a crafty scorer off the bounce and he can still it from deep when he’s left open.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1107886" first="Jack" last="Thomas"] | 6’5” C | Flint Hill (#117 Overall)</strong></p> <p>Thomas is the type of big that old-school basketball heads will love, as he may be a little undersized but he flat out gets the job done in the paint. He has terrific footwork and relies on a number of fakes and counters to get his opponents off their feet, he attacks the glass on both ends and uses his physicality to create space and make plays in the paint.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1107887" first="Trey" last="Seigle"] | 5’11” CG | Lake Braddock (#119 Overall)</strong></p> <p>Seigle is the perfect type of player for Lake Braddock’s high octane offense, and he is thriving there as he’s already had a game where he hit 5 three-pointers against Mount Vernon this year. A heady and aggressive kind of guard, he’s a guy who can push the tempo on the break, force turnovers and makes good decisions in transition as well. He’s also a lights out shooter from deep and with the freedom he has he’s going to make a lot of three’s this year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1107888" first="Jameson" last="Smith"] | 6’1” SG | George Mason (#121 Overall)</strong></p> <p>Smith, who’s older brother is also a standout at George Mason, is poised for a big junior season on a team that could surprise a lot of people. He’s a high IQ guard that’s scrappy on both ends of the floor, he moves well without the basketball and he can score it efficiently without dominating the basketball. He can shoot it from deep and attacks closeouts well, and he’s a high motor guy who brings it every time he’s on the floor.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1107889" first="Rival" last="Axselle"] | 6’3” SG | Atlee (#122 Overall)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/Axselle-Rival.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1107907" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/Axselle-Rival-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Axselle is a new name to remember in the Richmond area, and he has some good tools that should make some college coaches very intrigued moving forward. At 6’3” he has a good frame with long arms that should fill out nicely, he’s a good athlete that moves well without the basketball and he can really shoot the rock from deep. He’s a consistent guy that brings it on both ends, and his ability to stretch the floor and make shots at a high clip is very intriguing moving forward.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1107890" first="Adam" last="Hatter"] | 5’9” PG | Eastern Mennonite (#123 Overall)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Hatter-Adam.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1112049" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Hatter-Adam-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Hatter has been one of the most successful guards in this class, as he’s been a big part of Eastern Mennonite making the state championship game the past two seasons. A gritty floor general that is highly skilled and plays with a great IQ, he’s one of those guys that just runs the show, doesn’t make mistakes and helps his team win a lot of games. He’s a guy who can handle and pass with either hand, he shoots the basketball at a high clip and he’s a terrific team defender that will sacrifice his body and make hustle plays for his group.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1107891" first="Nicholas" last="Booker"] | 5’6” PG | Steward School (#124 Overall)</strong></p> <p>Booker transfers to Steward School from Church Hill Academy and will step in to a role that they really need him as a leader and two way floor general. He isn’t the biggest guy on the floor, but he’s a good athlete that is gritty, tough and hounds ball handlers the length of the floor the entire game. He’s quick off the bounce and able to get in the lane at will, and he’s a playmaker that can make others better and score it when he needs to.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1107892" first="Cooper" last="Keyes"] | 5’10” PG | East Rockingham (#125 Overall)</strong></p> <p>Keyes is an underrated guy out of the Harrisonburg area that should have a good season on an East Rock team that could win a state championship this year. While he isn’t the biggest or most athletic guy, he’s a high IQ kid with a good skill set that makes winning plays and can really shoot it from deep. He can play on or off the basketball, he’s a good team defender and he can get hot quickly and make shots when teams forget about him.</p>