Stretch Forwards Coaches Should Check Out

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.   Today, we take a look at some of the best stretch forwards in VA, players with good size who can spread out the defense and spray it from deep, an archetype that has become very popular for college coaches over the past few decades.   [player_tooltip player_id='2612850' first='Jafet' last='Valencia'] | 6'7” F | Evergreen Christian 2026   Valencia is one of the more underrated prospects in all of VA, as the 6'7” hybrid forward is a versatile scorer who is a walking mismatch and one thing he can do is really knock it down from deep. Valencia can spot up and make shots off the catch on kick-outs and he can be used in pick-and-pop scenarios, but unlike many of the stretch forwards you'll find he can also come off of screens and he's able to create his own shot off the bounce as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2252298' first='Mathias' last='Lee'] | 6'6” F | Westfield 2026   There's an argument to be made that Lee could be considered a wing who has to play in Westfield's front court due to their guard heavy attack, but it works in his favor quite a bit with his ability to make shots from deep and open up driving lanes for those guards who will find him when bigs instinctively help on drivers. The 6'6” forward can drill it from deep on kick-outs and even in transition, he can use shot fakes and relocate and he can shoot the pull-up, and his mobility and athleticism makes him valuable as a switchable defender as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1963533' first='Ryan' last='Brzezanski'] | 6'6” PF | Briar Woods 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-05-at-2.27.11-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-05-at-2.27.11-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2149720" /></a></figure>   Brzezanski is coming off a great junior season, where he showed his worth as a dead eye shot maker who can pull defenders out and punish defenses for over helping, and while many times a stretch forward is thought of as a “big guy who can shoot,” he's actually a pure shooter who can mix it up inside too. The 6'6” forward has great mechanics with good form from the feet up and he stays shot ready. He has a quick release with good range, as well as the ability to work as a pick-and-pop guy and make shots on the move too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2575694' first='Chris' last='Rochester'] | 6'7” PF | VA Academy 2026   Rochester is another guy who can probably be classified as a wing with his all-around perimeter skillset, but in today's age of small ball he translates best as a mismatch four man who can use that skillset to his advantage against slower defenders. He's known for his ability to stretch the floor and he doesn't need a lot of space to get his shot off, but he can also put it on the deck and get to spots in the midrange as well as get to the rim, making him a true three level scorer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1588139' first='Connor' last='Lyons'] | 6'7” PF | STAB 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageMmsSvn.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageMmsSvn.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2451355" /></a></figure>   Lyons had a breakout summer a few years ago at the DMV Live where he picked up multiple division one offers by scorching nets and hitting over 30 three's in four games, however a knee injury kept him out for this season, so it's time to remind everyone that he is the prototypical stretch four and should still be on college coaches radar. The 6'7” forward is a dead eye sniper from deep with good range and great form, he can get hot quickly and doesn't go through long droughts, he can hit tough shots and he's a solid passer as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2880095' first='Nicolo' last='Passalacqua'] | 6'5” PF | Carmel 2026   Passalacqua hails from Italy and was a big part of Carmel's run to the VISAA D-III state championship game where they lost to Fairfax Christian, and he's one of the more underrated players in the RVA area. At 6'5” with long arms he has that European style of game as he can stretch the floor from deep with his shooting ability, he can put it on the deck and get to spots, he scores it well at the high post and he can make plays for others too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2548293' first='Conner' last='Wilcox'] | 6'6” PF | Atlee 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Wilcox-Conner.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Wilcox-Conner.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2861140" /></a></figure>   I used to call Wilcox the best kept secret in RVA, but since he's been in high school he's steadily improved, he's been a two time All Region selection, he helped Atlee to their first ever state championship last season, and he's continuing with a strong spring for RockIt Sports on the MADE Hoops Circuit. The 6'6” forward is a walking mismatch as he can shoot it from deep off the catch, he's improved in his ability to put it on the deck and create his own shot, and he's strong enough to mix it up in the paint as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2470603' first='Nathan' last='Lessley'] | 6'6” F | Cox 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageMQOwA0.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageMQOwA0.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548683" /></a></figure>   Lessley was another secret weapon I came across last summer and is a very high upside prospect who had a breakout sophomore season at Cox High School in Virginia Beach, and he plays alongside Wilcox with RockIt making them a very tough team to match up with in the front court with their versatility. The 6'6” lefty can really fill it up in bunches, and while his ability to knock it down from deep is impressive there's more to his game too. He can put it on the deck and is an athletic and strong finisher when he gets downhill, he can score it in the midrange and he can make plays for others as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2470563' first='Landon' last='Lee'] | 6'8” PF | Virginia 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Lee-Landon.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Lee-Landon.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2870647" /></a></figure>   Lee is emerging as a very intriguing prospect in the 2027 class, and is one of the best prospects from SWVA at his age that I've seen in the past five or so years. At 6'8” Lee has great size and is a good athlete already, but it's also his advanced skillset and ability to make shots that is really intriguing about him. He doesn't need much space to get his shot off from deep with his size, he can move off the ball on “through” cuts and “hammer screens” and set his feet, and the fact that he's athletic makes him a solid rebounder and defender too.

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.