Small Market Summer Watch List for Coaches

We take a look at six under the radar players from the Central/Western/Souther area of VA for college coaches and scouts to make a priority this summer on the grassroots circuit.   [player_tooltip player_id='2422471' first='Derrius' last='Jones'] | 6'6” SF | 2027   Jones has had a great junior season for Blue Ridge, and is emerging as one of the more high upside players in the Charlottesville area for coaches to take a look at. The 6'6” wing is a big time athlete who can run the floor in transition and finish above the rim, he is a good defender who can switch and guard multiple positions, he's a good rebounder on both ends, and he's improving as a shot maker off the catch too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1574509' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] | 6'3” PG | 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Brown-Jayden-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Brown-Jayden-CBG.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2967159" /></a></figure>   Brown is having the breakout year of any player in the Charlottesville area, and the 6'3” lead guard who plays with Local Legends NXT is definitely a player for coaches to watch this summer. He's become a big time finisher above the rim when he gets downhill and is able to get to his one foot take-off, he can drill shots from deep off the catch and off the bounce, he can makes others better with his vision and playmaking ability, and he is one of the top on ball defenders in the entire state.   [player_tooltip player_id='2353675' first='Noah' last='Farley'] | 6'0” PG | 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageUEFAF7.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageUEFAF7.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2756762" /></a></figure>   Farley is on his way to earning yet another All State selection this season, and when the summer comes around and he's back with [program_tooltip program_id='2078813' first='VA' last='Premier'] I fully expect college coaches to be all over him from the beginning. He's one of the top shooters in the state with in the gym range and a ton of confidence to let it fly from anywhere at any time, he can get hot and take over games with his shooting ability, he can push in transition and in isolation to make plays for himself and others, and he has good instincts on the defensive end as well.   Derek Batiz-Lugo | 6'1” PG | 2027   Lugo was an all state selection last season for Central-Woodstock, and is well on his way to another one this year as well. The 6'1” lead guard is a highly skilled shotmaker who can get to his spots and make tough shots from multiple levels, he has great range from deep off the catch, he can get to the rim and finish in traffic or make plays for others, and he can impact the game across the board in winning ways.   [player_tooltip player_id='3046782' first='Davis' last='Winters'] | 6'4” CG | 2028   Winters is having a great sophomore year for Western Albemarle and is a player coaches should get familiar with sooner rather than later. Standing 6'4” with long arms he has great positional size and can cause mismatches, he gets to the rim and finishes well through contact, he has a great midrange game and can knock down shots from deep off the catch, and he's a good offensive rebounder for his position too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2395088' first='Carlos' last='Lanier'] | 6'1” PG | 2028   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/716-Carlos-Lanier.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/716-Carlos-Lanier.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2552812" /></a></figure>   Lanier is part of a North Cross team that has some of the top scoring guards in the state, and he's emerging as one of them as he's building off a great freshman year to an even better sophomore year. The 6'1” guard is a driller from deep with great form and a quick release, he's a strong guard who can get downhill and finish around the rim, he plays with great energy on the defensive end, and he has a good IQ and makes the right reads consistently.

We take a look at six under the radar players from the Central/Western/Souther area of VA for college coaches and scouts to make a priority this summer on the grassroots circuit.