RVA Prospects in the First 2029 Rankings (Part 1)

We recently published of our first draft of the 2029 class rankings, with 60 players ranked across the state. Here's a look at part one of the prospects in the Richmond area in the rankings.   #2) [player_tooltip player_id='2767487' first='King' last='Bacot'] | 6'3 PG | Petersburg   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Image-7-12-25-at-12.39-PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Image-7-12-25-at-12.39-PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2900112" /></a></figure>   Bacot comes in at number two in the first 2029 rankings in the state, and he's one of the most viral players in all of high school and considered one of the top guards in the country too. He's been a starter and a driving force for Petersburg on their way to another state championship appearance, as he's shown great pace and great vision as a playmaker, he keeps everyone happy and makes highlight worthy plays that bring great energy to his team, and he picks his spots and scores it efficiently when he needs to.   #6) [player_tooltip player_id='2958182' first='Damari' last='Smith'] | 6'0” PG | St. Chris   Smith was fantastic for a St. Chris team that was one of the best teams in the Richmond area, starting as a freshman and being their primary ball handler and playmaker as well. He's a tough nosed guard who gets downhill aggressively putting pressure on the rim and on the defense, he has great quickness and can create separation off the bounce, and he's a tone setter on both ends with his playmaking and defensive toughness.   #8) [player_tooltip player_id='3538906' first='Niles' last='Mason'] | 6'6” SF | Steward School   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Mason-Niles.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Mason-Niles.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2967827" /></a></figure>   Mason was perhaps the most productive and consistent freshman in the Richmond area, as he put up good numbers on a regular basis and showed a great motor and good versatility on both ends off the floor. He uses his size to get to spots in the midrange and rise over defenders to make shots, he attacks relentlessly whether its from the perimeter or in the post and is very good at finishing through contact, and he brings great energy on the glass and on the defensive end too.   #12) [player_tooltip player_id='3538911' first='Kane' last='Winiarski'] | 6'2” CG | Trinity Episcopal   Winiarski shined on both the gridiron and the hardwood as a freshman, and if he chooses to play basketball moving forward he has a very bright future as he continues to grow and get more athletic. The 6'2” combo is an impressive shot maker who can work on or off the ball to get open and make shots from multiple levels, he has great footwork to create space and stop on a dime for pull-ups, he makes good decisions, and he plays with a great motor on both ends off the floor.   #13) [player_tooltip player_id='3346359' first='Blake' last='Watkins'] | 6'1” SG | Steward School   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Watkins-Blake.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Watkins-Blake.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2967828" /></a></figure>   Watkins had a great freshman season as part of one of the top freshmen duos in Richmond, and he's going to be a player that scores a lot of points in his high school career. The 6'1” shooter has tremendous confidence to shoot it in transition or on the move, he gets to spots off the bounce and has good elevation to rise up over defenders, and he gets to the rim often to draw contact and finish through traffic.   #17) [player_tooltip player_id='3538916' first='Isaiah' last='Shelton'] | 6'5” SF | Trinity Episcopal   Shelton is the younger brother of former Louisa standouts and Hampton/Youngstown State player Chris Shelton, and he's got a very intriguing set of skills that looks like he has a ton of upside. At 6'5” he has a good frame that should fill out as he continues to grow into his body, he can work off the ball to get open and make shots on the move, he can attack the rim off the bounce, and he has a ton of upside on the defensive end too.

We recently published of our first draft of the 2029 class rankings, with 60 players ranked across the state. Here's a look at part one of the prospects in the Richmond area in the rankings.