Jack's 16 and 15U Southern Standouts

The Hoop Group Southern JamFest came back to Hampton this past weekend, with a lot of the top teams from the DMV and VA in attendance. Here's a look at some of the 16U and 15U standouts I saw at the event.   Brian Mitchell | 6'3” WG | [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams'] 16U   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageCY3AGo.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageCY3AGo.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2724459" /></a></figure>   Mitchell was fantastic throughout his sophomore year earning All State honors and leading Varina to a state championship appearance, and it looks like he's ready to continue that stellar play on the E16 Circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams']. The 6'3” wing was lights out throughout Southern, putting up big numbers against some top tier teams and showing why he's one of the top shot makers in VA regardless of class. He showed his ability to create space off the bounce and get his shot off with little to no room from deep, he got to spots in the midrange, scored it at all three levels and continues to show evolution in his game.   [player_tooltip player_id='2194706' first='Kevin' last='Parker'] | 6'1” CG | [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams'] 16U   Parker is coming off a breakout season at Denbigh and is one of the more underrated prospects in the 757, which he showed as he was one of their best two way perimeter players throughout the event. The 6'1” combo may not be the biggest guy but he has good instincts on both ends, with a quick first step and the ability to make things happen when plays break down. He showed great lateral quickness and a high motor defensively guarding the ball and making hustle plays, he worked well off the ball to get open and knock down shots on kick-outs, and he showed the ability to create in isolation situations on the ball and score it in many different ways.   [player_tooltip player_id='2470563' first='Landon' last='Lee'] | 6'8” PF | [program_tooltip program_id='2226307' first='Team' last='Loaded VA'] 16U   Lee is one of the most intriguing long term prospects in the 2027 class in the state, and one of the top prospects his age that I've seen in SWVA in the last five or so years. At 6'8” he's a new school type of forward with his ability to stretch the floor and guard both on the perimeter and in the paint. He showed he's a solid athlete who can get up and down the floor and finish at the rim, he shot the ball well from deep opening the lanes for driving guards and making defenders pay for helping on them and he competed on the glass and in the paint as a rim protector too.   James Minard | 6'7” WF | [program_tooltip program_id='2226307' first='Team' last='Loaded VA'] 16U   Minard joins this Loaded team from Charlotte, NC, and he brings a lot of impressive tools that make him impactful across the board, and he showed he's poised for a breakout summer on the recruitment trail. The 6'7” wing has all the physical and athletic tools you look for at the highest level of college basketball, as he has long arms and a frame that should fill out, while also showing big time explosive leaping ability. He showed his ability to handle in transition and in the half court to get downhill, he made shots from deep at a solid clip and he showed flashes of big time defensive upside as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2548185' first='Kelvin' last='Anderson'] | 6'2” CG | [program_tooltip program_id='2226307' first='Team' last='Loaded VA'] 15U   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/743-Kelvin-Anderson.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/743-Kelvin-Anderson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2552824" /></a></figure>   “Pop,” as he's known by coaches and teammates, was one of the best freshmen in the 757 for Catholic this year, and he showed he's ready to make a big statement on the 3SSB Circuit this summer too. There aren't many guards his age you'll find that are more physically impressive as he already has a strong upper body that allows him to get downhill and play bully ball, but he also continues to show improvement in his game every time I see him play. He shot the ball well off the catch from deep, he showed great footwork and touch in the midrange on pull-ups and fall-aways, he made great reads to set up his teammates and he was very tough on the defensive end too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1956077' first='Jordan' last='Jackson'] | 6'8” PF | [program_tooltip program_id='2226307' first='Team' last='Loaded VA'] 15U   Jackson joins this Loaded team from Kentucky, and I'm not too familiar with the young prospects in the state but he has to be at the top of the most impressive prospects in the state regardless of class as he was extremely impressive and is just scratching the surface with how good he can be. The 6'8” forward is built to play the game with lanky arms and natural mobility, coupled with great hand-eye coordination and explosive leaping ability. He had multiple highlight reel finishes both in transition and crashing the offensive glass, he rebounded and protected the rim well, he showed flashes of being able to stretch the floor and put it on the deck, and as I said before he has so much room for improvement.   [player_tooltip player_id='2699935' first='Isaiah' last='Whitsett'] | 6'3” CG | [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams'] 15U   Whitsett plays for this Boo team in the summer but is from Grimsley High School in NC, and there's no doubt in my mind he'll be one of the top players in the Hoop State over the next few years. The 6'3” combo looks like he's a senior with his strong frame and explosive athleticism, and he showcased an advanced skillset and high motor as well. He aggressively got downhill and used his strong frame to play through contact, he made shots from multiple levels off the catch and off the bounce and he played with great energy on the glass and on the defensive end too.

The Hoop Group Southern JamFest came back to Hampton this past weekend, with a lot of the top teams from the DMV and VA in attendance. Here's a look at some of the 16U and 15U standouts I saw at the event.