Snipers in RVA (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the scholastic live period over and the grassroots live period going on, we thought it would be a good time to look at some specific specialists in different areas. Here's a look at part two of some of the top shooters in the RVA area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782689' first='Faron' last='Friend'] | 6'5” WG | Glen Allen 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2437049,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageCmqZ4v.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageCmqZ4v.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2437049" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friend is one of the top emerging prospects in the Richmond area with his ability to score the ball in a lot of different ways at his size, including his ability to make tough shots from multiple levels. The 6'5” off guard doesn't need a lot of space and has really improved his consistency from deep, he has a quick release and can square his body when he's moving away from the rim and he has an excellent midrange game off the bounce too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2459361' first='Caleb' last='Straughter'] | 6'5” WF | Varina 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2460083,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/tempImageAQRw3Z.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/tempImageAQRw3Z.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2460083" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Straughter is another young wing who coaches should keep an eye on moving forward, as he checks a lot of the boxes with his physical and athletic tools as well as the ability to shoot the ball from deep. He's a good floor spacer who is money from the corners when defenders crash to help, he moves well off the ball and runs to the line in transition and with his size he can impact the game in a number of different ways other than shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2459364' first='Ryan' last='Flippo'] | 6'5” WG | Benedictine 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flippo is part of a young Benedictine team that is on the way up in the Richmond area, and he's another big wing who can shoot it at a high clip and makes for an intriguing prospect. At 6'5” not only is he tall but he's got a strong build that allows him to play on the perimeter or as a small ball 4, he can drill it from deep with range and a quick release, he can use his size in the midrange and he's surprisingly athletic for his size too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470566' first='Brady' last='Burnette'] | 6'2” WG | St. Chris 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2186952,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Burnette-Brady-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Burnette-Brady-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2186952" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Burnette waited his turn as a freshman like many have to do at St. Chris, he has had a great summer and projects to have a much better year as a junior. He's a dead eye shooter from deep with great form the feet up, he's got a quick release with the ability to knock it down on the move, he can put it on the deck and size up defenders to get into his shot and he continues to round out his game as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brian Mitchell | 6'3” WG | Varina 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell showed his ability to shoot it before he even got to Varina helping LCA to a state tournament birth as an eighth grader, and he was one of the top freshmen in Richmond last year. He's a well built wing with great size to be able to get his shot off without needing much room, he has effortless range and great form, he's super confident in his ability to make tough shots and he can attack closeouts off the bounce too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->