VA Live Period Preview: Underrated 2022 Prospects (Part 1)

It’s been well over a year since college coaches could get out and evaluate talent live and in person, and that all changes the weekend of June 18-20 when high school live periods begin. There’s tons of events going on all over the country, but right here in VA there will be a private school event hosted at Blue Ridge School outside of Charlottesville. We will preview the event in numerous ways, as we take a look at part one of the 2022 prospects that I think will turn some heads with coaches in attendance. Stay tuned for more including underrated prospects that could flourish and a look at other classes as well. Teams Competing The Avalon School (MD) Bishop O’Connell (VA) Bishop Walsh (MD) Blue Ridge (VA) Catholic (VA) Carmel School (VA) Church Hill Academy (VA) Collegiate School (VA) Fairfax Christian (VA) Highland School (VA) Miller School (VA) National Christian (MD) Norfolk Collegiate (VA) Peninsula Catholic (VA) Providence Day (NC) Rock Creek Christian (MD) Saint James (MD) STAB (VA) St. Christopher’s (VA) Steward School (VA) Takoma Academy (MD) Trinity Collegiate (SC) Trinity Episcopal (VA) Word of Life (VA) Underrated 2022 Prospects [player_tooltip player_id="962786" first="Christian" last="May"] | 6’4” WG | Bishop O’Connell There may not be another prospect in this event that could benefit more from a recruitment standpoint than May, who has been playing terrific basketball over the past year but simply hasn’t had the opportunity to get seen by college coaches. The 6’4” wing is an elite level glue guy at the next level as he’s athletic around the rim and a versatile defender, he can make shots consistently from behind the arc and he’s willing to do the dirty work to help his team win however it takes. [player_tooltip player_id="1107835" first="Cam" last="Gregory"] | 6’3” CG | Steward School <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Gregory-CamTR.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1189439" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Gregory-CamTR-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Gregory has had a great start to the summer with Team Richmond where he’s been the catalyst as their main ball handler and shown improvement over the past few years. He has good size and length at his position, he’s capable of both scoring and making plays for others off the bounce and he sets the tone on both ends of the floor for his group. [player_tooltip player_id="1107839" first="Reiss" last="Whitaker"] | 6’7” PF | Highland School Whitaker should see a bigger role on Highland this year with the departure of their top three players from last season, and he seems ready after watching him develop over the past few years. The 6’7” stretch big is a walking mismatch that can play both on the perimeter and in the paint, he can knock down shots from deep at a high clip and he’s a surprisingly good athlete that is mobile and plays hard on both ends. [player_tooltip player_id="1107838" first="Chris" last="Brown"] | 6’4” WG | Peninsula Catholic <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Brown-Chris.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1091299" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Brown-Chris-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Brown is a guard that has a lot of upside and continues to show flashes of brilliance both with Peninsula Catholic and this spring with Boo Williams Meech group as well. At 6’4” he’s a big time athlete that uses that athleticism defensively to lock up guard and he isn’t afraid to meet guys at the rim, he can make tough shots from multiple levels and he can play both guard positions when he needs to. Travon Gray | 6’6” PF | Peninsula Catholic <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> Gray is another Peninsula Catholic guy who could turn some heads this weekend with his high motor, athleticism and extremely productive style of play. At 6’6” do-it-all forward, Gray plays like he’s shot out of a cannon at all times as he comes at guys over and over again, he makes plays at and above the rim and he brings great intensity on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="962787" first="Kendon" last="Peebles"] | 6’4” F | Catholic Peebles is another athletic and high motor forward from the 757 who does a little bit of everything to help his team and brings great energy to his group in a positive way on both ends of the floor. The 6’4” forward is extremely athletic in the open floor and plays above the rim, he can create off of the bounce and he’s a versatile defender who can guard the other team’s best player regardless of position. [player_tooltip player_id="962811" first="Keishawn" last="Pulley"] | 6’2” CG | St. Chris Pulley is a prospect that is trending upwards with his ability to play both guard positions as he’s really developed as a point guard over the past few years and continues to get better every time I’ve seen him. He’s become more athletic as a finisher and in transition, he brings it on both ends of the floor and while he’s developed his overall game he’s still known as a knock down shooter who can fill it up from deep. James Bell III | 6’7” PF | Collegiate School Bell was set to have a breakout season last year at Collegiate after transferring from Goochland before Covid happened, and he’s looked good this spring for Team Richmond and should get some scholarship looks at this event. The 6’7” big is an elite glue guy who rebounds the ball at a high clip, he has good touch out to the three-point line and he brings great energy to his team on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="964451" first="Devin" last="Walker"] | 6’0” PG | Blue Ridge Walker is extremely underrated for this Blue Ridge group because he’s played behind division one guards the past few years, but now will be his chance to emerge from the shadows and show what he can do. He’s looked good this spring for Virginia Elite as a guy who can run the show and score it when he needs to, and he’s a natural leader that sets the tone on both ends of the floor.