Rim Rockers in the 757

<p>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 Hampton Roads area.</p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="1107833" first="Georges" last="Archer"] | 6’4” WF | Princess Anne ’22</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">It has been a lot of fun watching Archer develop from a 5’10” 14 year old as a freshman into a 6’4” monster of wing heading into his senior season. He’s filled out nicely and has grown into his body making him super explosive, and he is one of the elite finishers in the state right now. He will get downhill and rise up on a help side defender whenever he gets the chance, and with his strength he often does it above the rim with authority.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Travon Gray | 6’5” WF | Peninsula Catholic ’22</span></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 class="p1"><span class="s1">Gray is one of those athletes that really thrives and is highly productive because he’s not only stronger and more athletic than most players, he also plays with a better motor than most players so he doesn’t waste his athleticism. He’s always out in transition whether it’s running the floor or getting a deflection and showing the athleticism in transition, and he’s a guy who’s always on the glass and is able to get put backs often.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="962787" first="Kendon" last="Peebles"] | 6’4” WF | Catholic ’22</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Peebles is another high motor and gritty wing that can fly when he gets out in transition, and he uses that athleticism defensively to block shots as well. The lefty wing plays downhill all the time as he can slash and use his length and bounce to quickly rise up and throw it down, and when he’s in transition he’s going to have his head up around the rim regularly.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="815587" first="George" last="Beal"] | 6’4” WG | King’s Fork ’22</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Beale-George.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1027927" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Beale-George-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Beal is arguably the most underrated and under recruited senior in the 757, and coming off of the summer he had with BWSL Boo Crew he is set to have a monster senior with tons of highlight plays. He’s quick off the bounce and fast in transition allowing him to get to the rim often, and he isn’t shy about rising up and throwing it down whether he’s alone or in traffic.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="999636" first="AJ" last="Clark"] | 6’3” WG | Menchville ’23</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Clark-AJ.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1084864" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Clark-AJ-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Clark is still a little raw for being a guard, but one thing he can do is absolutely rock the rim when he gets in transition or he’s able to get back door or slash and get to the rim. He’s explosive off of one foot and glides in the air when he gets it going, and he has a mix of flair and authority when he throws it down that makes him a walking highlight.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="1241879" first="Christian" last="Greenlaw"] | 6’6” PF | Woodside ’23</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">While usually this list is left for wings and guards and high flyers, the 6’6” Greenlaw rocks the rim as much or more than anyone on this list, as he tries to dunk everything in the paint and does so often. He’s quick off his feet and explosive as he can catch and rise off of two to throw it down off a stand still, he rebounds and gets back up quickly and he’s strong enough to go chest to chest with anyone in the paint.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="1259632" first="Zekhi" last="Darden"] | 6’5” WF | King’s Fork ’24</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Darden-Zekhi.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1195673" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Darden-Zekhi-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Darden is the future high riser in the 757 that has already made a name for himself this summer and last year in some of the CBG events, and he can glide with the best of them already. He’s long and quick off his feet, he crashes the boards hard and is always looking for a put back and he runs the floor and plays with a good motor getting him opportunities for easy dunks.</span></p>