VISAA D2 Preview: All State Candidates (Part 1)

We take a look at our preseason preview of the VISAA divisions as the season is right around the corner. We will start with division two, featuring some of the top teams throughout the state. Here’s a look at part one of some of the preseason All State candidates. [player_tooltip player_id="815577" first="Maliq" last="Brown"] | 6’8” PF | Blue Ridge 2022 <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> The Syracuse commit is looking to lead Blue Ridge to yet another state championship as he’s won two so far in his career, and he’s going to be a very important piece for them if they want to repeat. Brown’s a very efficient and athletic finisher who can run the floor and finish above the rim, but a lot of his impact also comes on the defensive end with his ability to guard multiple positions, protect the rim and rebound. [player_tooltip player_id="798689" first="Houston" last="Emory"] | 6’10” C | Blue Ridge 2022 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Emory-Houston2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1025491" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Emory-Houston2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> One of the biggest reasons that the Barons are favorites to repeat is that they have not one but two very good post players with great size that compliment each other very well, as Emory is also able to protect the rim and rebound but brings a different aspect offensively; He’s a blue collar type of big who can finish with both hands, he’s quick off of his feet and plays above the rim and he has the ability to stretch the floor too. [player_tooltip player_id="1217448" first="Anthony" last="Davis"] | 6’5” WF | Miller School 2022 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Davis-Ant-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301648" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Davis-Ant-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> The Fairfield commit is a new name to the VISAA after spending the last few years in Florida, and he’ll be one of the most productive and high energy guys every time he’s on the floor. He’s very strong and a big time athlete who brings it on both ends of the floor, he’s excellent in transition and in their pressing style, he rebounds well on both ends of the floor and he plays with a competitive chip and will do whatever it takes to help his team win. [player_tooltip player_id="1107839" first="Reiss" last="Whitaker"] | 6’7” PF | Highland School 2022 Whitaker leads a very talented Highland School team and will be their senior leader on a team that’s relatively young, and he is the perfect fit for the style Coach Hooker likes to play. The 6’7” senior is a versatile big who can stretch the floor and put it on the deck on the perimeter, he’s a good athlete who can get in the lane and finish at the rim and he provides mismatches every time he’s on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="1107838" first="Chris" last="Brown"] | 6’3” G | Peninsula Catholic 2022 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Brown-Chris-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1306402" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Brown-Chris-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Brown is one of the top players in the VISAA and continues to improve every year, as he’s had a good showing this fall and should have PC as a contender this year. He’s an athletic combo who can get downhill and can also create space and make shots, he’s a big time defender both on the ball and in help side and he can make plays for others as well. Travon Gray | 6’5” F | Peninsula Catholic 2022 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Gray-Travon-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1306414" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Gray-Travon-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> A super productive hybrid forward that creates mismatches, Gray is able to play and guard both on the wing and in the post and his high energy and versatile offensive skill set makes him very dangerous when he gets it going. He’s a strong and athletic slasher and finisher around the rim, he can stick it from deep when he’s left open and he’s a big time rebounder on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="1107835" first="Cam" last="Gregory"] | 6’3” CG | Steward School 2022 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Gregory-Cam-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1306416" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Gregory-Cam-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> The recent St. Francis (PA) commit leads a Steward School squad with a lot of talent and depth that could be a dark horse contender in the TCIS and the D2 classification. Gregory’s a long and athletic guard who can play at different speeds and thrives in transition, he has good feel and instincts on both sides of the ball and he can score it in bunches and sets the tone for his group. [player_tooltip player_id="1107829" first="Tazir" last="Smith"] | 6’3” G | VA Academy 2022 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Smith-Tazir.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1318110" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Smith-Tazir-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Smith leads a very talented VA Academy group this year and with his improvement and high energy style of play he will be very critical to their success. He can play and guard multiple positions on the perimeter, he’s a playmaker and has good feel on both ends of the floor, he can get downhill and finish at and above the rim and he’s really improved as a shot maker too.