VISAA D1 Preseason First Team All State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the high school season getting underway, we at Prep Hoops VA will be taking a look at some previews for the season in each classification. We'll look at both state title contenders, as well as preseason All State teams. Here's a look at our picks for Preseason First Team All State in VISAA D1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>POY: [player_tooltip player_id='1259624' first='Chance' last='Mallory'] | 5'8” PG | STAB '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1969810,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Mallory-Chance-Thrill.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Mallory-Chance-Thrill.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1969810" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mallory returns after being named D1 Player of the Year last season, which makes him the favorite this year but it won't be easy with two top 15 nationally ranked players also making a run for it. The former UVA commit was fantastic last year averaging 27 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists while leading them to the state championship game, and this year they have an experienced team that could finally get over the hump. He's one of the most skilled guards in the country with the ability to knock down shots out to 30 feet effortlessly, he can break down defenders and get to the rim, he is a good rebounder and playmaker, while also being a very good defender and oozing toughness for his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1591317' first='Nate' last='Ament'] | 6'9” SF | Highland School '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2471292,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/tempImageX7B3yR.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/tempImageX7B3yR.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2471292" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ament was the Co-D2 Player of the Year last season, and with the Hawks moving up he's one of the favorites to win D1 POY with the start to the season that they've had. A top 5 player in the class nationally who just keeps getting better and better, he's already being labeled a lottery pick in the 2026 draft, and is one of the toughest players to guard in the entire country. At 6'9” he's a true three level scorer who doesn't need much space to get his shot off, he can attack the offensive glass and get extra opportunities, he handles it well and can make plays for others and he's one of the most consistent stat sheet stuffers in the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2148767' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] | 6'3” CG | Paul VI '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2333372,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Smith-Jordan-crop-3226x2118-1706383041.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Smith-Jordan-crop-3226x2118-1706383041.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2333372" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith was a Second Team All State selection last year on a PVI team that finished second in the country, and with five players having graduated and moved on to high major programs it will be Smith's team this year. A top 15 nationally ranked player, he is one of the best two way guards in the country, with the ability to guard the other team's best player while also playing either guard position with the ability to make plays for both himself and others. He can make shots from multiple levels, he's a big time athlete who thrives in transition and he's a highly unselfish star who will do all the dirty work and plays extremely hard on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494109' first='Ashton' last='Walker'] | 6'4” PG | Catholic '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1972979,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Walker-Ashton-BWSL.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Walker-Ashton-BWSL.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1972979" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker was a First Team All State selection as a junior, and heading into his senior season he's got a really talented group to try to make a deep run come February. The Radford commit has great positional size which he uses to his advantage to see over defenders and also to get deflections and challenge shots on the defensive end. He's a shifty ball handler who can break down defenders and touch the paint at will, he can score the ball in a number of different ways and he's a high energy tone setter on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1591318' first='Riley' last='Jacobs'] | 6'8” PF | St. Stephen's St. Agnes '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978942,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Jacobs-Riley.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Jacobs-Riley.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978942" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacobs comes into his senior season as one of the top big men in the VISAA, and his Saint's team is going to be a dark horse candidate with him as the focal point. The UMBC commit has improved a lot over the years, and at his size he's a very fluid and explosive athlete with a lot to his game that makes him hard to matchup with. He has added range to his shot that brings out defenders, he can rip and go to get to the rim and consistently finishes above the rim with authority, he is an excellent rebounder on both ends and he is a very good finisher in traffic too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782690' first='Silas' last='Devonish'] | 5'10” PG | Bishop Ireton '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1620465,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Devonish-Silas-Ireton-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Devonish-Silas-Ireton-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1620465" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Devonish was a Second Team All State selection last year, and with the group that Ireton has they could be a surprise team when it's all said and done this year. While he's only 5'10” Devonish is a two way impact guard who is a lock down on ball defender and is absolutely dynamic in transition as a playmaker. He has blazing end-to-end speed and a lightning quick first step, he scores the ball in bunches and has the ability to take over games and he can make others better as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2252287' first='Darius' last='Bivins'] | 6'0” PG | Bishop O'Connell '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2083600,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/eZy-Watermark_13-07-2023_10-32-29-7080PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/eZy-Watermark_13-07-2023_10-32-29-7080PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2083600" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bivins was a First Team All State selection at Alexandria City last season before transferring to O'Connell in the offseason, and he's going to have full reigns of the offense this season. He's a natural floor general who is in complete command of the offense, sees the floor very well and delivers passes on point with both hands. He plays with fantastic pace and is able to touch the paint at will, he has a great middle game with floaters and pull-ups, he can hit open shots and he just plays a winning style of basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coby White | 6'3” PG | Blue Ridge '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2291573,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/White-Colby.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/White-Colby.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2291573" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White heads into his senior season as the leader of a talented Blue Ridge group looking to get over the hump since moving up to D1 two seasons ago, and he's going to be a main reason if they do it this year. At 6'3” he has very long arms and a strong frame to finish in the paint, and he's able to get to spots effortlessly off the bounce and make contested shots from multiple levels. He's an unselfish playmaker and an excellent defender, and one of the more underrated available prospects in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->