Take 5: Available Bigs in RVA

<p>As we head into the year 2022, we will take a look at some of the best available 2022 players in the state. We will start at the guard position, as there’s plenty of those to go around.</p> <p>We’ll look at five players from each area and position that coaches at all levels looking for a player should keep an eye out for. Here’s five 2022 forwards in the Richmond area of Virginia that need more love.</p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="815584" first="Keyontae" last="Lewis"] | 6’9” | LC Bird</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Lewis-Keyontae-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1302353" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Lewis-Keyontae-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Lewis has steadily improved throughout his time at Bird and not only has he grown to a legit 6’9” now but he’s also slimmed down and his production and impact on the game has grown as well. He’s a monster in the paint who can finish with either hand and carve out space, he has improved as a rebounder and defender with his improved mobility and he’s been a walking double-double this season for the Skyhawks.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="1107836" first="Roman" last="Barshow"] | 6’6” | Steward School</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Barshow-Roman.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1075132" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Barshow-Roman-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">One of the most skilled forwards in the state, Barshow is a versatile player who can play and guard multiple positions and is a walking mismatch with his ability to score from multiple levels and impact the game in a number of ways. He’s a good athlete who can run the floor and finish above the rim, he’s an excellent shooter from deep and the midrange and converts on his free throws and he can switch and guard almost every position on the floor.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="1107852" first="CJ" last="Highsmith"] | 6’11” | Richmond Christian</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Highsmith-CJ-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1308296" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Highsmith-CJ-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">When it comes to the most improved big man in the area, Highsmith has to be in the discussion as he looks like a completely different player from when we first saw him as a sophomore. Standing almost 7 feet tall, Highsmith can run the floor and has improved hands and touch around the rim, he’s a paint presence as a rim protector and finisher above the rim and he plays with a good motor and has a better understanding of how to impact the game.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="1217457" first="Kelvin" last="Choice"] | 6’6” | Glen Allen</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Choice is one of Richmond’s hidden gems as he’s a big forward with good size and strength and also has the ability to stretch the floor. He’s a walking mismatch as he plays with a good motor and can rebound and finish around the rim, he can step out to the three-point line and make shots consistently and he can run the floor and finish in transition as well.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="815591" first="Wendell" last="Tomlin"] | 6’6” | Church Hill Academy</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Tomlin-Wendell-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1308295" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Tomlin-Wendell-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Tomlin is a walking mismatch who could be even better in college than he is in high school because of the style of game played at that level. At his size, he has excellent ball skills on the perimeter as he can knock down shots consistently and put it on the deck to get to spots, he can rebound and finish at the rim and he has the ability to guard multiple positions too.</span></p>