PHVA Expo 2025 Standouts (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops VA Expo took place at Rock It Sports in Richmond on Sunday, September 31, with players from all over the state ranging from seniors to sophomores attending to compete and get their names out there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a great day of competition with 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 games played intensely throughout the day. Here's a look at part one of the many 2025 standouts from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2443233' first='Brent' last='Thompson'] | 6'0” PG | Trinity Episcopal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547139,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagezdWaPp.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagezdWaPp.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547139" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson has shown so much improvement over the last few years, and the one thing he always does even in a camp setting is compete and play the right way. The 6'0” lefty guard got after it both in the 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 sessions on both ends of the floor, he showed his ability to create space off the bounce and make shots, he shot it well from deep and he touched the paint and made plays for others as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jalen Freeman | 6'0” PG | Manchester</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547144,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageGVLIXH.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageGVLIXH.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547144" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freeman was a key bench piece for Manchester last season in a crowded backcourt on a talented team, but the way he played at the Expo shows he's been in the gym putting in work all summer and is showed at the camp. As a point guard he wasn't ball dominant and got it out of his hands and made plays for others, he shot the ball very well from deep on spot ups and coming off of screens, he competed on both ends of the floor and he showed good footwork and touch on his finishes over bigger defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zion Foy | 6'4” WF | Digital Pioneers Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547146,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagebHgPJ7.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagebHgPJ7.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547146" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foy came down from DC to Richmond to get some bump, and he impressed throughout the event showing a lot of upside with his athleticism and all-around skill set at his size. He has a long and wiry frame that should fill out nicely and he used his length to get deflections and challenge shots. He showed some explosiveness attacking the rim and playing above it easily, he made shots from deep off the catch and he has a lot of raw talent that will only get better over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jalen Pierre | 6'0” PG | Colonial Forge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547148,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagex0k62o.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagex0k62o.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547148" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forge is the type of school that always has some sleepers in it, and Pierre showed that he's the one this year with his stellar play against some very good guards at the event. The 6'0” lead guard sets the tone on both ends of the floor and wasn't afraid to put ball pressure even in a camp setting, he showed great vision and was able to create for teammates, he scored it efficiently off the bounce from multiple levels and he rebounded well for his position too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chase James | 6'3” WF | Glen Allen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547149,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagek9CKaY.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagek9CKaY.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547149" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James is one of the most underrated players in the Richmond area and heading into his senior season on a talented Glen Allen team he could be a breakout player for them if he plays the way he did at the Expo. The 6'3” wing is physical and athletic with the ability to get downhill and play through contact, he showed he can make open shots off the catch, he brought good energy on both ends of the floor and he has a lot of room to continue to get better as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeremiah Banks | 6'9” C | Norview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547150,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage0PmAe8.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage0PmAe8.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547150" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Banks came to the Expo as a player I didn't know much about, and there aren't many 6'9” mobile big men in the state of VA I don't know about, so he immediately caught my eye. While he still is a little bit raw and will need some work moving forward, he has a lot of upside as he gets up and down the floor well, he uses his length to contest shots at the rim, he has soft touch out to the elbows and a frame that should fill out nicely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->