Junior Jam: Top VPA 2024s Out of VT
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Check out my top 5, in no particular order, from the 802’s class of 2024. Drew Bessette Drew Bessette 6'7" | PF Rice Memorial | 2024 State NLG , 6’7 F – Rice Memorial High School Class of 2024 The…
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Continue ReadingCheck out my top 5, in no particular order, from the 802’s class of 2024.
Drew Bessette Drew Bessette 6'7" | PF Rice Memorial | 2024 State NLG , 6’7 F – Rice Memorial High School Class of 2024
The sharpshooting swingman has a lot of tools in his kit. With his size and athleticism, he guards multiple positions and can handle guys in the post and on the perimeter. Moreover, Bessette is an intuitive rebounder and a quick outlet. Once the break is started, he runs lanes hard and is often rewarded with lobs at the rim. In the offensive halfcourt, Drew has shown inside/out ability with strong drop steps and baby hooks which compliments his smooth stroke from deep. Bessette is a guy who finds his production in the flow of the offense, and he often shoots a high pct. because of it. One of VT’s best prospects heads into Spring with an offer from NE-10 St. Michaels College.
Kyle Eaton Kyle Eaton 5'9" | PG Champlain Valley Union | 2024 NLG , 5’7 G – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2024
Offensively, two things stick out immediately with Kyle. First, his handle. His dribble combos are tight and quick, and he handles ball pressure easily. In doing so, he’s able to set up the offense or create offense with his blow-by ability. Second, the release on his jumper is snappy quick. Eaton gets the ball off in a flash and he shoots it at a pretty good pct. off the bounce or the catch at each level. Then defensively, Kyle uses his agility to dig in against ballhandlers + disrupt passing lanes off ball. He played combo-guard for much of the year, and I like him at the 1 as a score-first PG and at the 2 as a green light shooter and secondary handler.
Tyler Bergmans Tyler Bergmans 6'2" | SG South Burlington | 2024 State NLG , 6’2 G – South Burlington High School Class of 2024
Bergmans is a big guard who can swing from the 1 to the 3 on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he has the frame and quickness to guard anyone on the perimeter on the ball or off, and he’s capable of banging down low when called upon. Moreover, I’ve said all winter that Tyler is one of VT’s best rebounding guards. He dialed in numerous games with 10+ boards, so the numbers don’t lie. Then offensively, it’s steady and hyper-efficient with Bergmans. Tyler gets downhill going left or right, has the strength to hold off scrappy defenders, and the patience inside to finish strong and controlled. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective though, and more often than not he makes the basketball play. Bergmans is plug and play.
Zach Davis, 6’4 F – Colchester High School Class of 2024
The stretch big man has a lot of game. He’s one of VT’s best shooting bigs with his jumper that reaches a couple feet behind the line. Additionally, he sees the floor well and hits cutters/screeners with zippy passes, putting guys in scoring position as the defense’s attention is all consumed with his shooting. Then again, Zach is happy to bang inside with his strong frame and finish bunnies at the rim. On the defensive end, he’s best guarding 4s and 5s within the second layer. Davis clogs the lane with quick help, and hits bodies and then the glass for boards. His game is well-rounded and consistent.
Tucker Tharpe Tucker Tharpe 6'6" | PF Champlain Valley | 2024 State NLG , 6’6 F – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2024
Highly versatile, Tucker provides a laundry list of abilities. First, his defensive repertoire. Tharpe defends multiple positions, particularly 3s and 4s. He has the length, foot speed, and strength to hold his own inside or out, and there seems to be no matchup he’ll back down from. Moreover, he cleans the glass at a high clip, often entering double digit boards. Then offensively, Tucker works well as an inside/out ball mover and post playmaker. In addition, he has nice mobility in the pick and roll and can get to the bucket from any level. If Tucker dials in his jumper, it’s game over.