Grassroots Preview: Team Richmond 17U

We continue our Grassroots Preview series with a look at Team Richmond's 17U group this year. One of the top independent teams in the state, Team Richmond has helped place an impressive number of players in the collegiate ranks at all levels over the past decade. They will compete in the Hoop Group HGSL Circuit again this year. Here's a look at their 9 man roster to start the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2451966' first='Cole' last='Hoffman'] | 6'8” C | Manchester 2025   Hoffman is coming off a junior season where he helped lead Manchester to a deep playoff run and is ready to make some noise in the HGSL this year. The 6'8” big man has a great frame and long arms to protect the rim and rebound and a soft touch around the rim to finish on drop steps and duck ins.   [player_tooltip player_id='2880003' first='Anthony' last='Creecy'] | 6'6” PF | James River 2025   Creecy was a big part of a James River team that was a tough out all season in the Richmond area, and while he's still somewhat of a project he has a lot of tools coaches will be impressed with as well. At 6'6” he has long arms that allows him to play much bigger than he is, he's mobile and he has good touch out past the three-point line.   [player_tooltip player_id='2451956' first='Trevor' last='Toulson'] | 6'5” F | Benedictine 2025   Toulson will follow in the footsteps of his brother Quintin who is a Team Richmond alumni and coming off a good junior season at Benedictine he'll provide an important piece with his toughness and athleticism. He's a defensively minded player who can guard multiple positions and is a good rim protector and he does a lot of good by doing the dirty work on both ends.   [player_tooltip player_id='2452107' first='Knox' last='Axselle'] | 6'5” SG | Atlee 2025   The All Region wing is another second sibling Team Richmond player from his brother Rival and he brings the same mix of length, size and skill on the perimeter as well. Axselle has long arms allowing him to get deflections and challenge shots on the perimeter, he's a dead eye shooter from deep who can get hot and light it up quickly and he has a good IQ and understanding of the game too.   Trey Coles | 6'2” CG | Trinity Episcopal 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Coles-Trey-TES.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Coles-Trey-TES.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2310847" /></a></figure>   Coles is an available senior who will likely do a post grad year following a big senior season with Trinity Episcopal and he'll provide a punch on both ends of the floor for them in the backcourt this summer. He's a dead eye shooter off the catch, he gets downhill and makes plays for others and he's a gritty defender who can guard the other team's best player.   [player_tooltip player_id='1956070' first='Jalen' last='Deloatch'] | 6'2” PG | James River 2025   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Deloatch-Jalen-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Deloatch-Jalen-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2198946" /></a></figure>   Deloatch was TR's best player on the 16U team last season and had a huge junior season for James River, and he could be one of the top players in the HGSL this year. He's a physical and strong guard who can get downhill and finish through contact and over bigger defenders easily, he's a good rebounder and defender and he can create and score it in a number of different ways.   [player_tooltip player_id='2242398' first='Javon' last='Brooks'] | 6'3” CG | Hargrave 2025   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Brooks-Javon.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Brooks-Javon.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1949018" /></a></figure>   Brooks is a returner from last year's team who was one of their top players and chose to reclassify this year, and he'll be looking for a spot as an All HGSL player this year. “Happy” as he's known by teammates and coaches is a shifty guard who can create space and create for others, he can score the ball from all three levels and he impacts the game across the board with a smile on his face while he does it.   [player_tooltip player_id='2452251' first='Joaquin' last='Harley'] | 5'10” PG | Carmel School 2025   Harley may be the smallest player on this team but he's also one of the toughest and smartest players you'll come across and he'll bring it every game for Team Richmond. He competes hard on both ends and is a good defender, he can make plays for others with the ball in his hands and he works well off the ball to get open and get easy shots.   Jordan Clayton | 6'1” PG | Dinwiddie 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Clayton-Jordan.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Clayton-Jordan.png?w=472" alt="" class="wp-image-2408764" /></a></figure>   Clayton is coming off an All State senior campaign and will play as an available senior looking for a college or post grad opportunity, and he'll be a nightmare for opponents to matchup with. He's an all-out guard with a great motor and a lot of toughness, he scores it in bunches and puts relentless pressure on defenses and he brings it himself defensively and as a rebounder too.

We continue our Grassroots Preview series with a look at Team Richmond's 17U group this year. One of the top independent teams in the state, Team Richmond has helped place an impressive number of players in the collegiate ranks at all levels over the past decade. They will compete in the Hoop Group HGSL Circuit again this year. Here's a look at their 9 man roster to start the season.