Preseason VPA First Team: 802’s Elite Starting Five
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Time to get right to business. Check out the top 5 guys by position in the 802’s VPA! Eli Pockette, 6’0 G – Rutland High School Class of 2023 Eli snags the PG spot with his top notch shot-making, playmaking,…
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Continue ReadingTime to get right to business. Check out the top 5 guys by position in the 802’s VPA!
Eli Pockette, 6’0 G – Rutland High School Class of 2023
Eli snags the PG spot with his top notch shot-making, playmaking, and defensive capabilities. Pockette can put the ball in the bucket in all kinds of ways, whether in isolation, ball screens, or off-ball situations. His ability to pull-up from deep and the mid-range forces defenses to play up or get torched, yet Eli is crafty around the rim too and will fill it up with easy lays if that’s what the defense gives him. Moreover, Eli has nice vision and is quick to hit shooters with kick outs, bigs with dump passes, and cutters with timely and precise dimes. In addition, Eli defends at a high level with nice agility, sticking to ballhandler’s hips, rotating nicely to close quickly on shooters while staying down to prevent drives. Pockette is a tough two-way guy that competes night in and night out.
Sharif Sharif Sharif Sharif 6'2" | PG Rice Memorial | 2023 State New E , 6’2 G – Rice Memorial High School Class of 2023
The smoothest guy in the VPA, Sharif’s game is clean and quick yet never rushed. Sharif’s shifty handles and footwork make him an elite scorer, getting to his spots at will. He can rise up from three with solid efficiency, knock down the mid-range, hit post fades, finish at the cup; Sharif’s three-level scoring leaves defenders no good option. Moreover, Sharif has the vision and willingness to spread the wealth, hitting teammates on time and on target, often as the defense is collapsing on him. Lastly, Sharif’s length and athleticism make him an adept defender as well. He’s a strong on-ball defender, maneuvering ball screens well, and he can turn up the heat with nice pressure to force turnovers. Sharif can defend 1-3 and take over contests with his all-around game.
Cooper Diego, 6’3 G – Spaulding High School Class of 2023
Cooper is one of the best shooters in the state, but don’t let that box him in. Diego can score it at all three levels and facilitates well with the ball in his hand, drawing help defenders in ball screens and iso situations where he ultimately exploits holes in the defense with crisp passes for clean looks. A combo-guard who can play 1-3, Diego is highly versatile and can flourish as a ball dominant facilitator, but that isn’t his inclination. Instead, Diego moves intuitively off the ball with heady cuts and wise spacing, leaving defenders wondering where he relocated as he rises up for jumpers. Defensively, Cooper has a strong frame and sound footwork which provides him the ability to muscle guys a bit, keeping them from getting to their spots. Moreover, he’s a good help defender and rotates well in scramble situation. Cooper’s two-way talent, hoop IQ and competitiveness make him highly effective.
Drew Bessette Drew Bessette 6'7" | PF Rice Memorial | 2024 State New E , 6’7 F – Rice Memorial High School Class of 2024
Long, springy and highly skilled, Drew is one of the toughest covers in the state. Bessette’s shot making is crisp and highly efficient off the catch, hitting jumpers from all over the court. But he’s also highly capable of creating his own look, whether in the post or the perimeter, it doesn’t matter. Drew has nice footwork, a tight handle at 6’7, and sneaky strength, allowing him to get to his spots as he pleases, demonstrating a multitude of ways to finish plays, showcasing jams, crafty lays and pull-ups when wise. Defensively, there’s no let up. He can effectively guard 3-5, sticking with wings due to his agility and handling post guys with his insane length and solid frame. His interior defense makes opponents shutter in fear of getting their shot sent back yet he can also stick to guys’ hips on the wing. Drew is an exciting prospect out of the class of ’24.
Mo Kanneh, 6’8 F – Rice Memorial High School Class of 2023
Mo’s combination of height, strength, and athleticism make him one the most physically elite prospects in VT. 6’8 with balanced muscle and nice hops, Kanneh is an absolute force on both ends. His interior presence is undoubtedly top in the VPA as he holds his position with ease against opponents in the post and protects the rim with great verticality plus shot blocking prowess. He has nice agility too, able to defend ball screens without getting mired out on the perimeter. Offensively, Mo has a nice over the shoulder hook shot that pairs well with his powerful drop steps in the post. In addition, Kanneh is also apt to throw it down when rolling out of a ball screen or rim running in transition. Lastly, Mo is a great on court communicator, directing traffic on both ends and keeping spirits high in the heat of the game. Mo’s upside is tremendous.