2025 Hidden Gems in RVA (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the summer being over and the high school season a few months away, it's that time of year where players are taking visits and researching college programs. With that in mind, we've decided it's a good time to take a look at some under the radar players across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the hidden gems in the Richmond area of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Frank MacNelly | 6'4” WF | Collegiate '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MacNelly has quietly been one of the top shooters in the Richmond area over the past few years, and will be able to step into a go-to role this year for Collegiate. At 6'4” he has prototypical size on the wing for a two guard with a good frame as well, he is a dead eye shooter from deep who has good range and very good form and he knows how to attack closeouts and get to spots as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2451956' first='Trevor' last='Toulson'] | 6'5” WF | Benedictine '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toulson is going to be the senior leader of a young but talented Benedictine team, and he's an intriguing long term prospect with his physical and athletic traits. At 6'5” he has a strong frame and is an explosive athlete when he gets downhill and in transition, he can hit open shots from deep, he is a good rebounder for his position and he has tons of potential defensively too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2451966' first='Cole' last='Hoffman'] | 6'8” C | Manchester '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2504909,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageoXlNWn.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageoXlNWn.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2504909" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoffman had a big summer with Team Richmond HGSL after being an important piece for a good Manchester team last year, and this year he should be the guy they play through as his confidence has gotten much better. He's a throwback style big who can bury you deep in the paint and get easy looks, he has good moves with his back to the basket and he has good touch out to the mid-post area as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2452107' first='Knox' last='Axselle'] | 6'5” WG | Atlee '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Axselle was another player who had a good summer with Team Richmond and will be one of the top players in Hanover County this year as the go-to guy for this Atlee team. At 6'5” he has great size and is a strong player who will play through contact, he is an athletic finisher when he gets out in transition and he thrives as a dead eye shooter who can drill it consistently from deep with range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2452144' first='Justin' last='Debrew'] | 6'5” PF | Cosby '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Debrew was part of a Cosby team that had a great year last year, but he'll be looked at to do more this year with many of their top players from last season graduating. The 6'5” forward is an intriguing long term prospect as he's strong and athletic and thrives in an uptempo system, he plays with a great motor, he's mobile and quick enough to guard multiple positions and he still has a lot of room to get better moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2452157' first='Kharon' last='Scruggs'] | 6'0” CG | Manchester '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2310861,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Scruggs-Kharon.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Scruggs-Kharon.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2310861" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scruggs was another player who played a big part in Manchester's success last year, and with their top two scorers graduating he'll have more responsibility this year. The 6'0” combo guard is a very good athlete who is quick and explosive with the ball in his hands, he can hit open shots when he moves off the ball and he has great motor as a rebounder and hustle guy who will win 50-50 balls regularly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->