Updated 2029 Rankings: 540/434/276 Prospects (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently updated our 2029 class rankings, and in my 10 years of working for Prep Hoops VA this one is looking like it could be very special. With 75 players ranked currently, we take a look at part one of the prospects in the Southern/Central/Western areas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4) [player_tooltip player_id='2767830' first='Jaiden' last='Hunter'] | 6'7” SF | Miller School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2451102,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Jaiden-Hunter-2029.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Jaiden-Hunter-2029.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2451102" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunter has been a part of Miller School's last two state championships as he has been in the rotation since he was an eighth grader, and he has one of the highest upsides of any player in this class. The 6'7” wing has great positional size and is a big time athlete in transition and when he gets downhill, he is a walking mismatch who can handle it and create on the perimeter or post smaller defenders in the paint, he can play and guard multiple positions, and he's very “toolsy” while still having a lot of room to polish and improve as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#16) Paxton Oliver | 6'6” SF | Miller School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oliver is another player for this Miller team that has been on the team since he was an eighth grader, and while he isn't quite as polished as Hunter yet he also is full of upside moving forward. He has a great frame that will continue to fill out as he grows into it, he's a walking highlight reel in transition and is very good attacking the offensive glass, he rebounds and defends well around the rim and can switch on ball screens as well, and he continues to develop his perimeter shot making and skillset as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#22) [player_tooltip player_id='3669298' first='Lincoln' last='Crosston'] | 6'8” C | Hargrave</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crosston transferred to Hargrave from North Carolina this summer, and he had a good showing with them at both DMV Live Sessions in June. The 6'8” big man is highly skilled with great passing ability from the post and on the perimeter, he has good touch around the rim with both hands and can finish through contact, he can step out and make shots from the elbows and beyond the three-point line, and he has a ton of upside as he continues to grow into his body as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#35) [player_tooltip player_id='3538931' first='Messiah' last='Turner'] | 6'3” SG | GW Danville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turner is a player to keep an eye on in the Danville area, as he will be their go-to guy next year with the ability to put up some big numbers this season with them. At 6'3” he has good positional size and is a strong finisher through traffic when he gets downhill, he can knock down shots from multiple levels, he is a good defender who can guard the ball and jump passing lanes, and he can play on the ball and make plays for others too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#36) [player_tooltip player_id='3538932' first='Mason' last='Williams'] | 6'1” SG | Roanoke Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has been a big time contributor for RC since he was in eighth grade, and after a breakout freshman year he should be one of the top players in the Roanoke area this year. The 6'1” off guard can really score the ball as he has deep range and is consistent from deep, he can attack and get to spots in the midrange or get downhill and finish at the rim, he's dynamite in transition with his athleticism, and he can impact the game on the glass and defensively too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#37) [player_tooltip player_id='3538933' first='Blake' last='Wunder'] | 6'4” SF | Stuart Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wunder is part of a young and talented Stuart Hall group that will be a favorite in VISAA D-III next year, and he could be one of the breakout players to watch for next year. At 6'4” he has good positional size and is a three level scorer who can use his size to make tough shots, he plays with a great motor running the floor and finishing through traffic, he defends hard and hits the glass on both ends, and he has a good IQ and makes the right play consistently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->