Big Shots VB May Madness Standouts (Part 1)

<p>Big Shots was in multiple areas this year, but one of their spots was in the brand new and beautiful VB Sportscenter by the Ocean Front for the VB May Madness. A two day event featuring teams from all over the east coast, it was an excellent opportunity to see some of the top independent programs in the VA and DMV area, and there were tons of talented teams and individuals in attendance.</p> <p>I was streaming and broadcasting the games with the CBG Live Network on the championship court, and you can see all the games on that court <a href="https://cbglivenetwork.com">here</a>.</p> <p>Here’s a look at part one of the standouts, featuring some of the top 17U players from VA.</p> <p><strong>Pharaoh Lassiter | 6’2” CG | Big Shots VA 17U</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Lassiter-Pharoah.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1189338" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Lassiter-Pharoah-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Lassiter was one of many talented bucket getters for the champion Big Shots VA group, and the scoring guard has shown his improvement since heading to Spire in Ohio midway through last season. The 2022 guard can easily create his own shots and make shots from multiple levels, and he’s a guy who can get hot very quickly and fill it up in bunches. He’s shifty off the bounce and creates space well, he can make tough shots from multiple levels and he’s a knock down shooter as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="603823" first="Xavier" last="Brown"] | 6’2” PG | Big Shots VA 17U</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Brown-Xavier.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1189339" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Brown-Xavier-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Brown was the MVP of the 17U division after he willed them to the championship with multiple big time performances including a triple-double in the semifinal win over Global Squad. The 6’2” point guard from Oak Hill is back in a big way as he showed his competitive spirit, athletic playmaking ability and his improved shooting throughout the event. He’s a true floor general that brings it and sets the tone on both ends, he plays with great energy and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="697107" first="Marcus" last="Banks"] | 6’1” WG | Big Shots VA 17U</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Banks-Marcus.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1189340" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Banks-Marcus-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>It was the Western Carolina commit’s final AAU tournament and he went out with a championship after leading them in scoring in both the semifinal and championship game. He showed a lot of confidence as a scorer as he’s a tough shot maker who can get hot and take over games with his ability to spray it from deep, and he absolutely took over the semifinal game scoring 24 of his team high 28 points in the second half. He should have a chance at stepping in and getting early minutes at WCU with his ability to stretch the floor and fill it up from deep.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="815604" first="Camron" last="Kearney"] | 6’5” WF | Big Shots VA 17U</strong></p> <p>An extremely intriguing prospect, Kearney is the biggest guy on the Big Shots team which made them a mismatch because he’s able to guard bigs and rebound like one but he’s more of a weapon on the perimeter with his ability to put it on the deck and create and make shots from multiple levels. The Veritas forward has great length and is a big time athlete, he can make highlight reel plays above the rim on both ends and he’s a walking mismatch with his ability to put it on the deck and create shots for himself. He’s chock full of potential and continues to improve both his body and his game and just needs to be seen by the right people for his recruitment to take off.</p> <p><strong>Travon Gray | 6’4” WF | VA Venom 17U</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Gray-Travon.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1189343" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Gray-Travon-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Gray was one of the top performers in the 17U division, and almost willed VA Venom to a first round win over Team Richmond who fell to Big Shots VA in the championship game. A super high motor wing who has improved his game immensely over the past few years, Gray is a non stop guy who gets after it on the glass and continues to attack offensively, and he’s improved his ability to shoot the ball from deep and create shots for himself. He’s also a versatile defensive player who does a little bit of everything for his team, and he averaged over 28 points per game this weekend.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1117694" first="MJ" last="Smith"] | 6’2” WG | Team Loaded 757 17U</strong></p> <p>Smith is a 2023 prospect that was playing up on Team Loaded’s 17U team, and he showed his tremendous ability to score the basketball both playing on and off the ball throughout the event. The 6’2” guard has deep range both off the catch and off the bounce, he has great confidence from deep and he knows how to attack closeouts and get in the lane where he can score it both in the midrange and at the rim. He continues to improve with his ability to put it on the deck and run the show, but he’s a microwave scorer that can make big time plays in multiple ways.</p> <p><strong>James Bell | 6’7” PF | Team Richmond 17U</strong></p> <p>Bell isn’t the biggest name on this Richmond group, but he stepped up in a number of games this past weekend on their way to the championship before losing to Big Shots Elite. The 6’7” forward is long and mobile, he showed good touch out to the three-point line and he’s an excellent rebounder that pursues the basketball on both ends of the floor. He’s a great glue guy who has a good skillset and athleticism but will also do the dirty work to help his team.</p>