CBG Prep Showdown Standouts (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The CBG JUCO/Prep Showdown took place in Richmond, VA this past weekend, with over 30 teams ranging from Junior Colleges to post grad and prep programs from across the east coast in attendance. It was one of the few events where division one programs could attend and evaluate in person, and boy were there tons of prospects for them to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part two of some of the high school and post grad standouts from the VA teams in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2232329' first='Bryson' last='Tucker'] | 6'7” CG | Bishop O'Connell 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2243769,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Tucker-Bryson.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Tucker-Bryson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2243769" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tucker has been putting on an absolute show for O'Connell in the fall so far, showing why he's one of the top pro prospects in the country yet again with his play at the Showdown. He scored the ball in so many different ways both in transition and in the half court, playing above the rim effortlessly and showing great moves in isolation. He posted smaller guards and hit fall-aways consistently, he got to spots in the midrange off the bounce to rise up and knock down shots and he got all the way to the rim where he showed good finishing ability with either hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1948389' first='AJ' last='Swinton'] | 6'7” WF | Bishop O'Connell 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2243770,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Swinton-AJ.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Swinton-AJ.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2243770" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swinton really has been the one who has benefited the most from Tucker joining this O'Connell squad, as the 6'7” Florida State commit now has less attention and is able to use his athleticism on both ends to make plays. He played above the rim with authority both on set plays catching lobs and when getting downhill in transition and in the half court, and he is one of the best shot blocking wings I have seen at the high school level in my years of scouting. He played with good energy making hustle plays and his athleticism makes him a mismatch as he can play all over the floor for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1371866' first='Tim' last='Walker'] | 6'3” CG | Bishop O'Connell 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2243771,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Walker-Tim.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Walker-Tim.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2243771" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker is another very good addition to this O'Connell team after transferring over from St. Mary's Rykin, and he adds another playmaking guard who can get things done off the bounce and playing off the ball. He showed good change of pace and direction touching the paint regularly, he made plays for others when he got downhill and he he showed a great middle game with floaters and pull-ups when the defense played him for the pass. He's a two way impact guy who will be an x-factor for them with his high motor and playmaking ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amani Asane | 5'11” PG | Bishop O'Connell 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2186481,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/Asane-Amani-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/Asane-Amani-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2186481" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Asane may just be a freshman, but HC Joe Wooten is showing a lot of confidence playing him with the first team and allowing him to handle the ball and use his quickness to put pressure on the defense. He is a quick twitch guard with a lightning quick first step and a tight handle to break defenders down in isolation and in pick-and-roll situations. He guards the ball very well for his age, he shows toughness and competitiveness and while he isn't a top option to score now the time he gets as an underclassman will only make him that much better moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1107851' first='Owen' last='Gray'] | 6'8” C | Steward 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2173167,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Gray-Owen.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Gray-Owen.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2173167" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray continues to show improvement and be more aggressive and productive, something we've been looking for him to do, and looks like one of the top available big men in VA that's still on the board. He showed his big time athleticism at his size playing above the rim and protecting the rim defensively, and he showed good moves in the post as well. He's a high upside player who as I said before is turning the corner and has been getting it done all fall against high level competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494105' first='Donovan' last='Richardson'] | 6'5” CG | Steward 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1905339,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Richardson-Donnie-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Richardson-Donnie-CBG.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1905339" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Steward had some tough matchups against very good teams and older players, Richardson showed why he's considered one of the top guards in all of VA as he made plays all over the court and showed great demeanor in doing so. He's highly skilled for a guard his size as he knows how to use his strong frame and height to his advantage when he touches the paint as a finisher and as a playmaker. He has a good handle with the ability to change pace, he has gotten more explosive over the last year as a finisher and he has great finesse in the midrange and when he gets to the rim too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->