NOVA Non-Traditional Prep Programs Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northern Virginia has seen an influx of emerging basketball programs built around deep pools of college-level talent. Gillion Academy, Bethel Academy, and The St. James Academy are quickly establishing themselves as key players on the NOVA basketball landscape. Here's a look at their progress so far and the prospects leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gillion Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Located in Springfield and in their second season, Gillion Academy and Head Coach Kenny Gillion are led by a core of Florida natives who have already made their college decisions. Big, strong, physical big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1633067' first='Marcis' last='Ponder']</strong> leads the way at over 20 points and nearly 15 rebounds per game. The Florida State signee should have a chance to have an instant impact in Tallahassee next season. High scoring, shifty guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2134664' first='Willie' last='Burnett'] </strong>is headed to Mississippi State and can be when of the best scorers in the country when he has things going. A strong, solid, capable scorer on the wing, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2879940' first='Aaron' last='McGee']</strong> (15.8 ppg) is headed to play for Head Coach Ryan Pannone at Arkansas State. Lead guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2134650' first='Jayden' last='Joseph']</strong> will be Head Coach Charlie Ward's future point guard at Florida A&amp;M. DMV native <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1963397' first='Chris' last='Morrison'] </strong>is finding more and more playing time in the backcourt and is scoring 8.6 points per game. Tampa native <strong>Travis Tripplett</strong> is an intriguing, mobile forward at 6'9 in the 2026 class as well. Gillion Academy is a member of the Grind Session.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bethel Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blazers will compete on the Grind Session and in the Elite Prep League and are lead by a pair of DMV transfer guards. Former St. John's point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1782663' first='Devin' last='Toatley'] made the move to Manassas leads the team in scoring at nearly 20 points per game. The unsigned senior is a steady, strong, fast, reliable lead guard. Junior point guard <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/makiah-gray/">Kye Gray</a></strong> makes the move from Coolidge (DC). Gray is a tough, scoring lefty lead guard who can create his own offense and is a reliable shot maker. Strong, attacking wing [player_tooltip player_id='1548525' first='Caron' last='Perez'] (13.7 ppg) makes the move from the West Coast to Bethel Academy for his junior season. Georgia native [player_tooltip player_id='2478626' first='Uzziah' last='Morton'] is a mountain of a post player with good strength, decent hands &amp; touch around the rim and improving mobility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. James Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Book Richardson takes over at The St. James Academy and has his program competing in the EYBL Scholastic. High level 2027 wing [player_tooltip player_id='2458579' first='Jacoby' last='Briscoe'] makes the move over from Riverdale Baptist (MD). Another high scoring guard, Malachi Terell<strong> </strong>comes over from Gonzaga (DC) and has reclassed into the 2027 recruiting class. Mobile big man [player_tooltip player_id='3046574' first='Emmanuel' last='Kamara'] transfers in from Southeastern Prep Academy in Florida along with 6'10 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2891271' first='David' last='Massengo'] who spent last season in New Jersey<a href="https://www.madehoops.com/PlayerProfile_David-Massengo-2027">.</a> Richardson also used his New York City relationships to add 2027 guards [player_tooltip player_id='2027757' first='Joe' last='Nunez'] and <strong>Judah Bontemps</strong>. Former Hofstra commit, 6'4 senior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2466505' first='Jahda' last='Swann']<strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jahda-swann/"> </a></strong>was recently added to the roster and will provide an instant impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->