7 Under Recruited RVA Guards Who Can Impact a Program

Heading into the high school season, I would like to highlight some players that I think are underrated or under recruited by colleges. These players are, in my opinion, either being overlooked by colleges at the level they could play for, or don't have enough schools at that level that are aware of the impact they could bring. Here's a look at seven guards in the Richmond area that should be getting more love from college coaches.   [player_tooltip player_id='2347779' first='Nick' last='Byrd'] | 5'10” PG | S3 Academy   Byrd has been very impressive throughout his high school career, leading Hopewell to back to back state championship appearances and now running the show for a very talented S3 team. While he isn't the biggest player on the court, he controls the game in a way very few can with his ability to push the tempo in transition and direct traffic in the half court, he can create for himself and make shots from all three levels, and he has great feel as a playmaker as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2459244' first='Amare' last='Cooper'] | 6'2” CG | Monacan   <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>   Cooper has recently started to pick up offers from some division two schools, and it makes sense with the numbers he's consistently put up in his career at Monacan. The 6'2” combo is a natural bucket getter who has deep range off the catch and off the bounce, he's slippery and shifty getting to the rim and scoring around the rim, and he is very good at drawing contact and getting to the line as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1489544' first='Alex' last='Blanchard'] | 6'0” PG | Douglas Freeman   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageH8Kis1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageH8Kis1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548635" /></a></figure>   Blanchard is the type of player that any coach would love, as he doesn't have a ton of flash to his game but he's a super hard nosed player that will do whatever it takes to help his team win. He gets downhill aggressively and is strong enough to finish over bigger defenders and through  contact, he's a consistent shooter from deep when he's left open, he brings a lot of toughness and a high motor on both ends of the floor, and he rarely makes mistakes with the ball in his hands.   Dean Quaye | 6'0” PG | S3 Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageH4FnnJ.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageH4FnnJ.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548441" /></a></figure>   Quaye has steadily improved over the past few years and is set to have a big senior season alongside Byrd for this talented S3 program. At 6'0” he's got long arms and is very strong to get physical and challenge shots defensively, he has a great first step to blow by defenders and collapse the defense, he can make tough shots from multiple levels with the ball in his hands, and he sees the floor well while handling pressure and staying out of traps.   [player_tooltip player_id='1630997' first='Elijah' last='Brandon'] | 5'10” PG | St. Chris   <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>   Brandon is one of the most highly sought after guards in the area by many D3 schools, but he's a player I think could make an impact at the D2 level with his blend of strength, skill and IQ he uses to impact the game on both ends. He has a good handle and changes speeds well to get downhill where he can use his size to finish through contact, he is a very good shooter from deep both off the catch and off the bounce, he makes good decisions and delivers on point passes, and he uses his physicality on the defensive end and as a rebounder as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2780068' first='Eric' last='Thompson'] | 6'1” PG | Highland Springs   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageCkWwbr-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageCkWwbr-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2716531" /></a></figure>   Thompson had a breakout season for the Springers last year, emerging as their top ball handler and playmaker, putting up consistent numbers and impacting the game on both ends of the floor. He's the type of guard who will come into a program and make an impact with his competitiveness as he brings great energy on the defensive end and will pick up 94 feet, he's dynamic in transition and gets downhill aggressively, he finishes well in traffic and can make open shots, and he plays with a lot of toughness and a good motor too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1985579' first='Tyler' last='Gibson'] | 5'10” PG | Manchester   Gibson is a late bloomer who had a breakout year on a Manchester team that is stocked full of guards, and after a growth spurt he's looking like he'll be the guy to lead the charge for his group. He is quick off the bounce with a shifty handle and the ability to get in the lane and make plays for others, he's very good at creating space and making tough shots in the midrange with pull-ups, and he has great instincts on both ends of the floor too.

Heading into the high school season, I would like to highlight some players that I think are underrated or under recruited by colleges. These players are, in my opinion, either being overlooked by colleges at the level they could play for, or don't have enough schools at that level that are aware of the impact they could bring. Here's a look at seven guards in the Richmond area that should be getting more love from college coaches.