VISAA D2 Preview: All State Candidates (Part 2)

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 two of some of the preseason All State candidates. [player_tooltip player_id="1107841" first="Greg" last="Williams"] | 6’4” WG | VA Academy 2022 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Williams-Greg-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1327615" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Williams-Greg-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Williams is a senior leader on a VA Academy team that will be very tough this season, and his ability to shoot it and guard the other team’s best player makes him very important to their success. The 6’4” wing is a lights out shooter from deep with a quick release and good range, he is unselfish and makes the right play regularly and he is long and athletic on the defensive end allowing him to shut down scorers. [player_tooltip player_id="977592" first="Austin" last="Ball"] | 6’6” WF | Miller School 2023 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Ball-Austin.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1315797" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Ball-Austin-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Ball is a new name in the VISAA after winning a state championship and player of the year in WV last year, and the nationally ranked wing is a big reason that Miller will be a tough out this season. The 6’6” wing checks all the boxes as an elite scorer as he has great size and good pop around the rim, he can knock it down past the NBA line with ease and consistency and he’s able to put it on the deck and get to spots where he can score it easily. [player_tooltip player_id="999628" first="Desmond" last="Roberts"] | 6’5” F | VES 2023 Roberts is set for a breakout season with VES this year as the 6’5” forward has shown good improvement over the past few years and he plays with terrific energy on both ends of the floor. He’s an explosive athlete who can play above the rim and rebounds well on both ends of the floor, he brings it every moment he’s on the floor and he’s improved in his ability to both play on the ball and make shots from deep. Kam Roberts | 6’6” F | Hargrave 2023 Roberts was an All State selection in the VHSL Class 4 last year helping Halifax County to the state semifinals, and he’ll be a name to keep an eye on moving forward now that he’s at Hargrave. He’s improved his body a lot and that makes his versatile style of play that much more lethal as he can play on the perimeter where he can make shots from multiple levels, he can run the floor and finish in transition and he’s a very good rebounder as well. Curtis Blair | 6’5” WF | Steward School 2023 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Blair-Curtis-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1067931" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Blair-Curtis-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Blair is one of the elite shot makers in the state, and if he can score it efficiently this season his Steward School squad could be a very tough team to beat this year. At 6’5” he’s able to play on and off the basketball and can make tough shots from multiple levels, he’s excellent at creating space and making midrange shots both in isolation and in pick-and-roll situations and he can rebound on both ends of the floor too. Callum Crossman | 6’8” PF | VA Academy 2023 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Crossman-Callum.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1318441" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Crossman-Callum-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Crossman is a new name in VA as the 6’8” big just transferred in from the UK, and when I tell you he’s already one of the most athletic players I’ve ever seen at his size I’m not exaggerating at all. At 6’8” he plays with a good motor on both ends and is able to make plays above the rim others simply can’t make, he brings great energy to his team and as he continues to develop he’ll be ah highly sought after prospect. [player_tooltip player_id="1232157" first="CJ" last="McPherson"] | 6’3” WG | Norfolk Collegiate 2023 McPherson is set to have a breakout year in the TCIS this season, and he’ll have all the chances as he’ll be the go-to guy for NorCo and he can flat out fill it up. A strong guard that can play on or off the basketball, he can make shots from deep with consistency, he’s able to get to the rim and score it through contact and he rebounds well for his position. [player_tooltip player_id="1259618" first="Isaiah" last="Abraham"] | 6’4” WF | Highland School 2024 Abraham is looking like one of the top young prospects in the state and could be a breakout player for a very talented Highland School squad this year. The 6’4” wing is a natural athlete who can play way above the rim on both ends of the floor, he’s able to play both on and off the ball to get open and make shots and he brings it on the defensive end too.