Rim Rockers in the 804

Jack Herron

August 24, 2021 @ 12:54 PM

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 greater Richmond Metro area. [player_tooltip player_id="815588" first="Alphonzo" last="Billups"] | 6’7” WF | Varina ’22 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Billups-Alphonzo-ECE.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1148654" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Billups-Alphonzo-ECE-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Bllups is one of the most skilled and versatile wings and is considered a nationally ranked prospect by some, but one thing that’s underrated about him is his ability to play above the rim when he gets downhill. He’s such a smooth athlete that he makes it looks very easy when he takes off in transition and in the half court he’s a playmaker so he doesn’t get downhill very often, but with his mix of length and athleticism when he does get downhill it’s a show to watch. [player_tooltip player_id="1107882" first="Khalil" last="Ward"] | 6’2” WG | Richmond Christian ’22 One of the more underrated players in the Richmond area, Ward will make some plays that will have you jumping out of your seat as he is long, explosive and fearless when he’s around the rim. Whether he’s soaring for a rebound or put back or getting out in transition and rising up to throw it down, he’s an exceptional athlete who can simply make plays others can’t. [player_tooltip player_id="1107824" first="James" last="Patterson"] | 6’5” WG | Church Hill Academy ’22 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Patterson-James-ECE.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1148659" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Patterson-James-ECE-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Patterson made a name for himself on the CBG circuit last year, and now he’s heading to Church Hill where he’ll join an already athletic group that will have teams dreading the fact they have to play them and risk getting put on a highlight. He’s strong and explosive whether he’s taking off one or two feet to throw it down, and he also has quick hands and jumps passing lanes often getting him opportunities for showtime in transition. [player_tooltip player_id="815595" first="Judah" last="Egbo"] | 6’8” C | Life Christian Academy ’23 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Egba-Judah.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1114404" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Egba-Judah-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Egbo is reclassifying to the 2023 class after spending last year at Oak Hill Academy, and in that year the way he grew into his body and improved in a number of ways, including his athleticism, makes him very intriguing moving forward. He runs the floor extremely well and is very fluid, and he’s worked on his hands and timing allowing him to run the floor and catch passes and rise up and throw down over top of smaller defenders. [player_tooltip player_id="992528" first="Dennis" last="Parker"] Jr. | 6’6” WG | John Marshall ‘23 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Parker-Dennis.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1236765" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Parker-Dennis-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Parker Jr. came back from a 10 month leg injury in July and looked like he didn’t even miss a beat, and he looks like he didn’t lose any of his explosiveness when he gets in transition and when he gets downhill either. He’s so smooth with the ball in his hands that he’s able to get to the rim with ease, and he’s such a fluid athlete that he makes it look very easy when he rises up and throws it down whether it’s in transition or in traffic. [player_tooltip player_id="1231822" first="Leland" last="Coleman"] | 6’5” WF | Trinity Episcopal ‘23 Coleman is starting to come into his own, and one thing he can do is bring energy by playing above the rim whether it’s in the open court, crashing the glass or coming help side to block shots. The 6’5” wing is still growing and sports a 7’0” wing span, and he is explosive off the floor and can explode well above the rim whether he is on the move or from a stand still in the paint too.