Updated 2023 Rankings: New Faces (Part 1)

With the updated 2023 rankings list in VA, we have added over 40 new names to the rankings, something that is very common as it usually the junior year that players take the biggest jump. Here’s a look at part one of the new faces of players who have earned the right to be ranked in the state. #22 Michale Ojo | 6’7” PF | Princess Anne <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Ojo-Michael-1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1459328" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Ojo-Michael-1-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Ojo is one of the biggest late bloomers you’ll find in the state as he exploded on the scene in the 757 this past season and is garnering division one interest with his blend of size, athleticism and perimeter skill set. He’s a walking mismatch with his ability to put it on the deck and get downhill to finish above the rim, he can knock down shots from multiple levels and he can defend multiple positions too. #34 [player_tooltip player_id="1362690" first="Thomas" last="Youngkin"] | 6’4” SF | St. Christopher’s <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Youngkin-Thomas-Head-Shot.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1342612" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Youngkin-Thomas-Head-Shot-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> The governor’s son that transferred to St. Chris recently from Georgetown Prep in Maryland is a very intriguing prospect with his IQ, scrappy style and his ability to really shoot the ball from deep. He has beautiful form when he shoots the ball and he’s able to set his feet on the move and has a quick release, he has deep range and is confident in his ability to let it fly and he’s a very good help side defender who takes charges and stays in the gaps. #40 [player_tooltip player_id="1483035" first="Camden" last="Brewer"] | 6’4” SF | Blue Ridge Brewer came to Blue Ridge this season where he played a big role in them winning yet another state championship, and the 6’4” wing has a good all-around skillset and could set himself apart during the high school live period. He has good size on the perimeter and can really shoot it from deep, he can put it on the deck and makes good decisions off the bounce and he is a good help side defender too. #45 [player_tooltip player_id="1483002" first="Paul" last="Anderson"] | 6’3” SG | South County Anderson is the next in a long line of South County wings that have developed late into intriguing collegiate prospects and he had a big junior season for them. He’s an all-around and all-out style of wing who can play above the rim in transition, he can knock down shots from deep off the catch and in the midrange and mid-post off the bounce and he brings it on the defensive end as well. #48 [player_tooltip player_id="1483003" first="Gabe" last="Jones"] | 6’2” SG | Colonial Forge Jones had a good junior season for a Forge team that had a resurgence this year, and he has a lot to like as a college prospect and should have more scholarship programs looking his way. He has a great build and is strong when he gets downhill, he can knock down shots from deep and in the midrange off the bounce and when he gets it going he can score it in bunches with the best of them. #60 [player_tooltip player_id="1483034" first="Diarmid" last="Stewart"] | 6’6” SF | Blue Ridge Stewart was another new addition to Blue Ridge this year and is garnering attention as both a basketball and a football prospect with his big frame and tremendous athleticism. He’s a two way player that can guard multiple positions and get out in transition, he can get downhill and finish above the rim and he has a good midrange game as well as the ability to stick it from deep when he’s left open. #63 [player_tooltip player_id="957028" first="Bryson" last="Wilson"] | 6’5” SF | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Bryson-Wilson.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1014598" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Bryson-Wilson-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Wilson is a very intriguing prospect with a lot of physical and athletic tools that coaches will love at the next level and he has a lot of raw talent to go along with it. He has excellent size on the wing and is a big time finisher in transition and when he gets downhill, he makes very athletic plays on the defensive end and has tons of potential on that end of the floor and he is versatile in his ability to create shots on the offensive end too. #64 [player_tooltip player_id="957029" first="Ben" last="Woodward"] | 6’4” SF | John Champe Woodward transferred to Champe from Dematha and was a big reason for their turn around on a talented team with his ability to knock down shots and be a reliable secondary ball handler. He has good size on the wing and works well off the ball to get open and knock down shots, he can attack closeouts and get to spots in the midrange and he has a good feel and IQ for the game too. #68 Jamison Lyman | 5’9” PG | South County Lyman, whose father was a former NBA player and coach, is one of the most crafty and skilled guards you will come across and despite his size he can hoop with the best of them. He has the ball on a string and plays with great pace and changes speeds well, he has terrific footwork when he gets downhill and can finish with either hand off of either foot and he has a great understanding of the game and doesn’t make many mistakes when he has the ball in his hands. #78 [player_tooltip player_id="1483027" first="Sam" last="Whitehead"] | 6’2” SG | Stonebridge <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/Whitehead-Sam-Head-Shot.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1378354" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/Whitehead-Sam-Head-Shot-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Whitehead is a new name that has emerged in the Nova area after a big junior season at Stonebridge and he’s the type of player that is great with other talented players. He moves well off the ball and shoots it very well from deep and can let it fly in transition and on set plays, he’s an active defender who is great in help side and he’s unselfish and makes winning plays on both ends of the floor.