Sharp Shooters: RVA Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the preseason for high school basketball, we will take a look at some different categories of players and those that excel in those roles in different areas of the state. Today, we take a look at some of the top shooters in the Richmond area of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259544' first='Damon' last='Thompson'] | 6'1” PG | John Marshall 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1589467,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Thompson-Damon-CBG-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1663347102.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Thompson-Damon-CBG-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1663347102.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1589467" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson made a name for himself last year nationally as the top scorer for JM in their run to win the Chick-Fil A Classic, but he's been known around Richmond as a top tier scoring guard who can make an array of shots and score it in bunches. The JMU commit can play both on and off the ball and is very good at creating space and getting his shot off, he has deep range both off the catch and off the bounce and he has fantastic footwork to get into and make shots from multiple levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489055' first='Kris' last='Tiller'] | 6'1” PG | Glen Allen 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2173165,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Tiller-Kris.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Tiller-Kris.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2173165" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tiller is set to explode and be one of the top scorers in the state if his performance at the CBG team camp last weekend showed us anything, in which he showed he can really shoot it and make tough shots from deep and in the midrange. He's excellent when coming off of screens and on step backs as he has great balance and gets into his shot effortlessly, he gets hot quickly from deep and can fill it up in bunches and he's able to hit off balance shots in the midrange even with a hand in his face.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1236440' first='Alex' last='Chaikin'] | 6'4” WG | Trinity Episcopal 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1949021,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Chaikin-Alex.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Chaikin-Alex.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1949021" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chaikin is perhaps the best conventional shooter in the Richmond area, as he is an excellent catch-and-shoot guy with good size and is one of the most efficient and consistent shooters you'll come across. He gets out in transition and runs to the line where he's able to catch in stride and is confident letting it fly, he can come off curls and pin downs and get into his shot with good rhythm and he has picture perfect form and shoots it at a very high clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1948412' first='Harry' last='Clarke'] | 6'4” WF | Midlothian 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1906103,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Clarke-Harry.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Clarke-Harry.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1906103" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarke is a two sport star who also thrives as a lacrosse prospect, but he fits the mold as a 3 and d guy at the collegiate level as well. At 6'4” he has a strong and athletic frame that allows him to get his shot off even with defenders draped on him, he can catch-and-shoot and is also able to create his own shot off the bounce and throw in the fact he's a solid defender and isn't a liability on that end makes him a two way impact guy as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Frank Macnelly Jr. | 6'5” WF | Collegiate 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macnelly is one of the more underrated rising juniors in the RVA area, as he had a good sophomore season at Collegiate and should take a bigger role moving forward this year. The 6'5” wing has great size and long arms that allows him to get his shots off against closeouts and good defense, he moves well off the ball to get open, showcases a quick release and he can flat out drill it off the catch with the ability to attack closeouts as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489544' first='Alex' last='Blanchard'] | 6'1” WG | Douglas Freeman 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1599459,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/89-Alex-Blanchard-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/89-Alex-Blanchard-scaled.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1599459" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blanchard is one to keep an eye on moving forward with this Freeman team, as he played a major role as a freshman and had a good summer playing 16U with Rock It Sports as well. Blanchard is a very high IQ player with great instincts for moving off the ball to get open, he drills it consistently from deep with good footwork and great form and he is able to attack closeouts and make plays for others while also being a good finisher around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->