Updated 2024 Rankings: Bigs (25-16)

We recently updated our junior class rankings in the state of VA, and we will take a look at each positional ranking from guards, wings and forwards. Obviously some of these players are positionless players that can fit in multiple spots, but we did our best to categorize them based on their skillset.   Here's a look at part one of the power forwards and centers in the new rankings.   25) [player_tooltip player_id='1372027' first='Rodney' last='Baines'] | 6'8” C | Lake Taylor (#77 Overall)   Baines makes his debut in the new rankings and could see his stock rise even more as he's had a great junior year and is just now tapping into his potential. The 6'8” big man is a bruiser in the paint who can clear out space and finish through traffic, he clogs the paint defensively and makes it hard for driving guards and he's a good rebounder with good touch on follows.   24) [player_tooltip player_id='1489085' first='Isaiah' last='Vick'] | 6'6” PF | Patriot (#75 Overall)   Vick is a player I expect to take a big jump in the next rankings, as he's starting to come into his own and turn that potential we've seen into substance as a versatile forward on both ends of the floor. He has a long wingspan that he uses to rebound and get deflections, he can play and guard multiple positions, he's a natural athlete who's fluid and explosive and he has shown good ball skills on the perimeter too.   23) [player_tooltip player_id='1489080' first='Ed' last='Harrison'] | 6'6” PF | Miller School (#71 Overall)   Harrison is a great glue piece for this talented Miller School team as he has an inside-out capability off the bench that changes the look of the team. He's a big body in the paint who can get physical and clear out space, he can step outside and is a knock down shooter from deep and he's a good passer for his size with vision and the ability to hit cutters and shooters on the money.   22) [player_tooltip player_id='1489069' first='Billy' last='Koudelka'] | 6'9” C | VES (#70 Overall)   Koudelka is starting to come around as he's relatively new to the game of basketball and he's steadily improving with more reps and game experience. The 6'9” big man is a fluid athlete who runs the floor and has a good frame, he can protect the rim and is a solid overall defender and he's improving in his timing and finishing ability as well.   21) [player_tooltip player_id='1259628' first='Abu' last='Yarmah'] | 6'6” PF | Patrick Henry (#67 Overall)   Yarmah is a player who could move from the forwards list to the wings list here in the next rankings, and that would make him jump in the rankings as his size and athleticism on the wing would be very impressive. He's a big time athlete who can defend and play above the rim, he is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions and he plays with a good motor on both ends of the floor with a budding skillset.   20) [player_tooltip player_id='1489103' first='Grant' last='Polk'] | 6'5” PF | Gainesville (#65 Overall)   Polk may be a little undersized for his position, but he is a walking mismatch with his mix of skill and physical ability that allows him to play bigger than he is listed at. He's a stretch four man that is a good screener and knocks down shots on the pick-and-pop, he has good range and is consistent from deep and he's a good passer on the perimeter as well.   19) [player_tooltip player_id='1260003' first='Reece' last='Ketron'] | 6'9” C | Abingdon (#62 Overall)   Ketron is part of a twin towers set up at Abingdon with 7'0” senior [player_tooltip player_id='1159838' first='Evan' last='Ramsey'] that makes them tough to beat, and they fit well together as well. Ketron is a skilled big who has good feel as a passer and can go high-low well, he can seal and finish in the paint but also has the ability to step out to the elbows and the three-point line and he's able to rebound and protect the rim too.   18) [player_tooltip player_id='1489078' first='Nijel' last='Howard'] | 6'7” PF | Fairfax Christian (#61 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Howard-Nijel-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Howard-Nijel-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1602915" /></a></figure>   Howard has really developed nicely for Fairfax Christian and is a big reason they are the favorites for VISAA D3 as he brings them a multifaceted weapon at the forward spot most teams don't have. At 6'7” he has the ability to step out on the perimeter and make shots or put it on the deck, he can protect the rim and switch on wings and bigs and he's able to post up and score in the paint against smaller defenders too.   17) [player_tooltip player_id='1759727' first='Sahil' last='Kamal Kapadia'] | 6'7” C | Thomas Jefferson (#58 Overall)   Kapadia is a new face to these rankings and coming from TJ Math & Science it's not every day they have as an impressive a prospect as him. At 6'7” he's got a good frame that should fill out with a long wingspan as well, he is strong in the paint with the ability to get physical on both ends of the floor and he's a big time rim protector and finisher with touch already with room to grow.   16) [player_tooltip player_id='1759726' first='Connor' last='Horan'] | 6'8” C | Blue Ridge (#57 Overall)   Horan is a new addition to this Blue Ridge team and he's in the right place as they have a history of developing big men and he's looking more and more comfortable throughout the year. The 6'8” big man has stretch ability from deep, he runs the floor well and has good mobility and he can get up and play above the rim on both ends of the floor.

We recently updated our junior class rankings in the state of VA, and we will take a look at each positional ranking from guards, wings and forwards. Obviously some of these players are positionless players that can fit in multiple spots, but we did our best to categorize them based on their skillset.