Certified RVA Scorers Turning Heads This Spring

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With new rankings in the work and the grassroots season in full swing, we decided it was time to take a look at some of the particulars that make certain prospects excel at specific parts of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we take a look at 7 of the best pure scorers in the Richmond area, players that you can game plan for all day, but still can go out and fill it up any time they step on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782689' first='Faron' last='Friend'] | 6'5” WG | Glen Allen 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2437049,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageCmqZ4v.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageCmqZ4v.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2437049" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friend had a huge junior season and is continuing that strong showing with Local Legends on the PUMA NXT Circuit, showing his ability to fill it up in bunches with a college ready frame to boot. He's a very talented shot maker who can use his size and length to make tough shots over tough challenges, he can get downhill and is a good finisher through contact, he can create off the bounce and he can crash the offensive glass too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2459244' first='Amare' last='Cooper'] | 6'2” CG | Monacan 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2448643,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImagetNEyU6.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImagetNEyU6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2448643" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper has been putting up big numbers throughout the last two years at Monacan, with numerous 30 point games, and the way he's able to score the ball is as impressive as anyone in the area. He's a true three level scorer who can work in isolation or in ball screens off the bounce, he is able to stop on a dime and create space in the midrange and from deep, he has good wiggle to get in the lane and he has great body control to be able to finish through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1630997' first='Elijah' last='Brandon'] | 5'10” PG | St. Chris 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548452,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagenHXNjs.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagenHXNjs.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548452" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brandon is a two sport star who also excels on the football field, and while his physical frame and ability to play through contact is a big part of his scoring package, he really impresses with his ability to create and make shots at a very high clip from deep and in the midrange. The 5'10” guard has a tight handle and create separation with his footwork, he has in the gym range both off the catch and off the bounce, he finishes well around the rim with both hands and he's very good at understanding how to get to his spot and get good looks even when tightly defended.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2459370' first='Kevin' last='Mayo'] | 6'2” CG | Henrico 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2502956,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageiNI3ob.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageiNI3ob.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2502956" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mayo is part of a young Henrico team that could be a dark horse next season in the Richmond area, and he's one of the more underrated scoring threats in the RVA area. The 6'2” combo is very good at moving off the ball to get open and has a high IQ reading defenders off of screens to get open, he can drill it from deep on the move, he can hit the one or two dribble pull-up and he can get to the rim and finish with both hands too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2780042' first='Messiah' last='Jordan'] | 6'3” WF | Meadowbrook 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2716527,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageU2QyTs.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageU2QyTs.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2716527" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan is another underrated player in the RVA area, as he has an inside-out, almost old school game to him that allows him to score it in a number of different ways in a very efficient manner. While he's only 6'3” he can bang in the post with much bigger players to attack the offensive glass, he can post smaller wings and finishes well over the shoulder, he can step out on the perimeter and knock down shots, and he's able to get to spots off the bounce or work the middle of the zone too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brian Mitchell | 6'3” WG | Varina 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2724459,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell is one of the best young players in the Richmond area, and he showed that putting up big numbers all season for a Varina team that made another trip to the Class 4 state championship, and he's been on a tear for [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams'] 16U this spring as well. Mitchell is a big and strong wing who is wired to score as he can get downhill and play through contact, he continues to get more athletic as a finisher, he shoots a beautiful ball and knocks it down at a high clip from deep, and he's able to make tough shots from all three levels too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470591' first='Jaylen' last='Tyler'] | 5'10” PG | LC Bird 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2479581,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageig9ai1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageig9ai1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2479581" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler was a starter for a very good Bird team this past season that had four senior starters, and with those players exiting I expect him to be one of the breakout players in RVA next season. While he isn't the biggest guy on the floor he can fill it up with the best of them as he has a quick first step and good speed in transition to get to the rim, he can drill it from deep off the catch and off the bounce, he has good touch on his floater and midrange game, and he exudes confidence when he's given the green light.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->