PHVA Freshman Expo Standouts (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops VA Freshman Expo took place at Rock It Sports in Richmond on Saturday, August 31, with rising freshmen from all over the state 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 two of the many standouts from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Levi Mann | 5'11” WG | Appomattox County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547161,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageqrmnIc.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageqrmnIc.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547161" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mann caught my attention very quickly in the 3-on-3 portion of the event, showing his ability to stretch the floor and showing a competitive streak going right at some of the bigger and better players in the event. He shoots a very good ball with solid form and fluid mechanics that give him good range, he attacks closeouts well to get to the rim, he showed good finishing ability with both hands and he brought good energy on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2548192' first='Ty' last='Martin'] | 6'0” CG | Graham</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547162,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage92qVZP.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage92qVZP.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547162" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin is another small market player I will be keeping an eye on over the next few years, as he has the tools to be one of the best guards in SWVA with continued improvement. At 6'0” he has good size for his age and is likely still growing, he is quick off the bounce and has a shifty handle to touch the paint, he was efficient scoring it off the bounce and he made plays for others when he got downhill as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2479654' first='Chaycen' last='Harman'] | 5'10” CG | Floyd County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547163,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagei4y4mR.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagei4y4mR.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547163" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harman was impressive in a number of ways at the event, and when he steps on the floor to play for his father this year he'll fit right in with one of the best shooting teams in the entire state in Floyd County. Like many of the players we saw he still is growing but he's very advanced in his game as he is a dead eye shooter from deep with good range who doesn't miss when he's set, he knows how to relocate and understands spacing, he has a high IQ on both ends and he didn't force things even in a camp setting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2491612' first='Zihkee' last='Dickerson Brown'] | 5'9” PG | Clover Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547165,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage0EPxMH.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage0EPxMH.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547165" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown was one of the more intriguing prospects that caught my eye with his long term potential, as his long arms and wiry frame makes me think he's nowhere near done growing and when he grows into his body he's going to be a problem. He's got a great first step and is shifty with the ball in his hands, he's a very good finisher over bigger defenders with runners and floaters, he brings great energy and takes pride on the defensive end of the floor too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2548176' first='Charles' last='Wilson'] | 5'3” PG | Deep Run</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson was the smallest player in the event, but it was hard not to love the way he played as he didn't back down from anyone and was quick to take on any challenge in front of him. The 5'3” guard understood that he had to be a pest and he seemed to enjoy it getting under ball handlers and making them uncomfortable, he showed a good handle and ability to change directions and he made open shots when he needed to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2546116' first='Jake' last='Bryan'] | 6'0” WF | Meridian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547166,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage1xKsy9.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage1xKsy9.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547166" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryan caught my eye early in the event with his size and shooting ability, and he seemed to just get better and better throughout the event as he gained more confidence. The 6'0” wing has a good frame already for his age, he shot the ball well from deep and showed the ability to get in the paint and mix it up and he has a lot of tools to work with over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->