VHSL Live Preview: Pool B/C Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The June scholastic live periods are getting underway starting the weekend of June 16-18, and the DMV will be a must stop for college coaches. The annual DMV Live at DeMatha, Virginia Live Period Shootout (VISAA) and Alexandria City and the first ever VA Live by the VHSL will take place at Saint James, all within a 30 mile radius of each other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We will take the next week or so breaking down the many prospects for coaches to take a look at in these events, and there's a TON of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part two of the prospects at the VHSL live period we expect to make noise at the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1948394' first='Demarion' last='Hunt'] | 6'4” WF | LC Bird '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunt has dealt with some injuries this summer after showing flashes of his upside during his junior season, but as he gets back healthy he'll be one to watch for sure. The 6'4” wing is a supreme athlete with long arms who flies around defensively and finishes at and above the rim, he can put it on the deck and get to the rim where he's a good finisher and he can make shots from deep when he's left open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2451940' first='John' last='Uzochukwu'] | 6'2” CG | LC Bird '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978865,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Uzochukwu-John.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Uzochukwu-John.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978865" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Uzochukwu is another name for this new look Bird team to watch out for, as he is an all-out high motor guard who likely has a late growth spurt coming to him. He gets out in transition and has great speed in the open floor, he can make shots off the bounce and off the catch, he is a good finisher and gets to the line and he is a playmaker on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1759750' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'] | 6'1” PG | Tuscarora '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson got his start at Loudoun Valley before transferring to Tuscarora and he's one of the most underrated guards in the Nova area. He's a super quick and shifty guard who can break down defenders off the bounce and touch the paint easily, he scores it in bunches when he gets it going and can make tough shots and he's a tone setter on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489076' first='Jamal' last='Miles'] | 6'3” WG | South County '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miles is an under the radar wing for small college coaches to check out during the live period, as he brings a blend of size, athleticism and a good skill set to the game. At 6'3” he has long arms and disrupts things defensively by getting deflections and challenging shots, he can put it on the deck and get to the rim and he can knock down shots from deep as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenard Wyche Jr. | 5'8” PG | Varina '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1123926,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/01/Wyche-Kenard-crop-2898x1903-1611940521.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/01/Wyche-Kenard-crop-2898x1903-1611940521.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1123926" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Lancaptures</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wyche is the reigning Class 5 Player of the Year and a two team First Team All State selection, and despite his size he is one of the most impactful and crafty players you'll come across. He sets the tone on both ends but particularly with his defensive ball pressure as he can guard the length of the floor and force turnovers with his quick hands and feet, he gets downhill where he's very good at drawing contact and making plays for others and he can score the ball in a variety of different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1963529' first='Daion' last='Jones'] | 6'0” PG | Varina '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1589513,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Jones-Daion-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Jones-Daion-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1589513" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is a young and talented guard that will likely be Wyche's running mate in the backcourt this season, and will take the reigns over after he leaves. He's a quick and shifty guard off the bounce who has a great handle and can break down defenders and get to the rim, he can make shots from deep off the catch and off the bounce and he has a natural knack for scoring and making plays with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ulyssess Young | 6'0” PG | Oscar Smith '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1366917,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Young-Ulysses.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Young-Ulysses.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1366917" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Chubb” is one of the most underrated guards in the 757, as he is a throwback style guard who makes everyone on his team better and can control the game as he runs the show. He is a good on ball defender who keeps ball handlers in front and has good hands to strip and get turnovers, he plays with great pace and changes speeds while controlling the tempo, he has excellent vision and puts passes on a dime for easy buckets and he has a great middle game with floaters and pull-ups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494102' first='Kareem' last='Stagg'] | 6'8” PF | Oscar Smith ‘25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1967561,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Stagg-Kareem.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Stagg-Kareem.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1967561" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stagg is one of the most talented and intriguing young bigs in the state, as he's still young for his age and is still growing and getting better every time I see him play. At 6'8” he has a great frame with good upper body strength and is an elite athlete who can play well above the rim in traffic, he has the ability to face up where he can make the midrange jumper and put it on the deck, he's a big time shot blocker and rebounder and still has tons of room to get better moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->