Rim Rockers in Central/Western VA

While we’ve been updating our rankings and breaking down content on those, we decided to take a look at some of the best specialists in different areas of the state. Today, we take a look at some of the top above the rim finishers in the Central and Western parts of VA. [player_tooltip player_id="1217448" first="Anthony" last="Davis"] | 6’5” WF | Miller School ‘22 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Davis-Ant.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1161795" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Davis-Ant-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Davis is set to have a breakout senior season for Miller since transferring back to VA after spending the last few years in Florida, and the 6’5” wing is one of the most under recruited guys in the state in my opinion as he is strong, explosive and plays with a high motor. He’s a menace when he gets downhill as he can explode off of one or two feet effortlessly and soar above the rim, he isn’t afraid to go through defenders and throw it down and he’s always a threat to catch a put back with his ability to explode off of two feet. [player_tooltip player_id="1107822" first="Justyn" last="Fernandez"] | 6’4” WG | VES ’22 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Fernandez-Justyn-DCP.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1185268" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Fernandez-Justyn-DCP-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Fernandez caught the eye of some of the top programs in the country this year as he was arguably the biggest stock riser in the country going from a handful of smaller offers to pretty much every high major on the east coast and beyond recruiting him, and when you see him take off in transition you can see why everyone is so intrigued by him. He’s always been a natural athlete who could play above the rim, but this year something changed as every game he seemed to have a highlight reel throw down whether it was catching a body, taking off from way outside the lane or almost hitting his head on the rim when he takes off. [player_tooltip player_id="1217459" first="Stephen" last="Barbour"] | 6’0” WG | Glenvar ’22 Barbour isn’t the biggest guy on this list at he’s an even 6’0” two guard, but he’s a very explosive and high motor and gritty kind of players that uses his athleticism on both ends of the floor. He shoots passing lanes and gets in transition often, he crashes the glass hard and can get off his feet and float to the basket to throw it down when no one accounts for him on a missed shot. [player_tooltip player_id="815579" first="Tyler" last="Nickel"] | 6’7” WF | East Rockingham ’22 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Nickel-Tyler-Blaze.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1063291" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Nickel-Tyler-Blaze-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> While Nickel is known as one of the top shooters in the country, don’t get it twisted as he’s also an explosive athlete who loves to get downhill and throw it down when he gets the chance. He works well out of triple threats and can handle in transition to get downhill, he loves to challenge guys at the rim and whether it’s with one or two hands he’s always going to throw it down with authority. [player_tooltip player_id="815577" first="Maliq" last="Brown"] | 6’8” PF | Blue Ridge ’22 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Brown-Maliq-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1149220" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Brown-Maliq-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Brown is one of the most underrated prospects in the country, and the 6’8” forward is an explosive and fluid athlete who dunks the basketball a lot when he’s on the floor. The fact that he can run in transition and and catch and rip and get downhill allows him to get a lot of easy looks at the rim, and he’s able to rebound and explode off of two to finish above the rim on second chance opportunities. [player_tooltip player_id="999628" first="Desmond" last="Roberts"] | 6’5” WF | VES ’23 Roberts has been a very intriguing prospect since he transferred to VES and reclassified a few years ago, and watching him this summer makes me think he is ready to turn the corner and have a breakout season this year at VES. A strong and super bouncy wing, Roberts plays with an all-out style and runs the floor hard, crashes the glass and is super explosive as he’s the type of guy who will go up to the fifth floor like Bruhman and drop you off at the third floor like Martin. [player_tooltip player_id="1241884" first="Elijah" last="Mitchell"] | 6’5” F | William Fleming ’23 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Elijah-Mitchell17.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1208930" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Elijah-Mitchell17-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Mitchell had a great summer with the VA Nets and the 6’5” versatile and position-less player just finds ways to be productive, and part of it is his strength and athleticism. He’s always out in transition and around the rim, you can run plays for him to get back door and catch lobs and he brings great energy with his the way he dunks the basketball so hard. [player_tooltip player_id="1259628" first="Abu" last="Yarmah"] | 6’5” PF | Patrick Henry ’24 While I have yet to see Yarmah in person, when I watched him on streams this season he jumped off the screen with his athleticism, and it’s even more impressive when you find out he was just a freshman as well. The 6’5” forward is long and super explosive whether it’s getting downhill and playing off of one foot or playing off of two feet in the paint, he dunks everything he can and he’s likely still growing and growing into his body.