Updated 2029 Rankings: RVA 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 Richmond area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2) [player_tooltip player_id='2767487' first='King' last='Bacot'] | 6'3” PG | Petersburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3592911,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Bacot-King.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Bacot-King.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3592911" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bacot has been a viral sensation for years now, and he showed it was more than just hype as he stepped into the starting point guard role and helped Petersburg walk to a state championship and played well against a national schedule. The 6'3” guard has tremendous feel for a player of his age and great positional size as well, he plays with great pace and controls the game, he delivers very difficult passes on point whether it's finding shooters or throwing lobs, and he is improving in his shotmaking as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5) [player_tooltip player_id='2958182' first='Damari' last='Smith'] | 6'2” PG | St. Chris</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3677044,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/719-Damari-Smith-crop-3392x2226-1782163837.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/719-Damari-Smith-crop-3392x2226-1782163837.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3677044" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith had a fantastic freshman season for St. Chris, and he has continued showing he's one of the top guards in the state as he's having a huge summer with CP3 and STC as well. He has a lot of tools coaches like in a lead guard as he's super tough and a natural leader who can control the game, he is shifty off the bounce with great burst and lives in the lane, he's an athletic finisher and can make shots from all three levels, and he makes his team better on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#11) [player_tooltip player_id='3538906' first='Niles' last='Mason'] | 6'6” F | Steward School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2967827,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mason was one of the most productive freshman in the Richmond area this past year, and he's making a name for himself on a Team Loaded 15U group that is one of the best in Adidas. The 6'6” forward is a Swiss-army knife that is tough to matchup with as he can score it in the paint against smaller defenders, he can run the floor and handle the rock in transition, he's an excellent finisher through traffic and in the midrange area, and he plays with a fantastic motor on both ends of the floor too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#15) [player_tooltip player_id='3538911' first='Kane' last='Winiarski'] | 6'2” CG | Trinity Episcopal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winiarski is a player that could move up this list as he continues to develop, as he's been fantastic this summer with Team Loaded after having a good freshman season at TES. The 6'2” combo guard has great footwork on pull-ups and step backs, he can make shots from all three levels working both on and off the ball, he can break down defenders and make plays for others, and he has great feel and instincts on both ends of the floor as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#19) [player_tooltip player_id='3346359' first='Blake' last='Watkins'] | 6'1” SG | Steward School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2967828,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watkins was Mason's running mate at Steward this past season, and he was one of the top guards of any class in the Richmond area with some big time scoring games throughout the season. The 6'1” off guard is a very talented shotmaker who can drill it from deep with good range off the catch, he gets to spots in limited dribbles and is able to make tough pull-ups over defenders, he's a good finisher around the rim, and he gets to the line often as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#21) [player_tooltip player_id='3538916' first='Isaiah' last='Shelton'] | 6'6” PF | Trinity Episcopal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3631412,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Shelton-Isaiah.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Shelton-Isaiah.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3631412" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelton is a super intriguing prospect in this class, as the 6'6” forward is a walking mismatch who is going to be even more deadly when he loses his baby fat and gets his body right and gets more athletic. He is a stretch four that can drill it from deep with great range, he's excellent as a screener who can pop or slip making him a threat in ball screens, he can use his size to post and hit the offensive glass, and he's a good passer for his position as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#25) [player_tooltip player_id='3538922' first='Adam' last='Wesseh'] | 6'5” PF | Varina</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wesseh is part of a talented young group at Varina that is next up for one of the top teams in the state, and he's a very intriguing prospect to keep an eye on as he continues to grow and develop. He's a big time athlete already who can play above the rim off the catch and when he gets out in transition, he's got a great frame that will only continue to get stronger as he grows into his body, he has touch in the paint with the ability to finish through contact, and he is a good defender and rebounder as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#27) Hassanis Roberts | 6'7” PF | S3 Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to high upside prospects in the Richmond area, there aren't too many that are more intriguing than Roberts. He's a legit 6'7” with long arms and a frame that is already impressive, he moves well and shows good pop as a finisher and a rim protector, he rebounds with intensity on both ends of the floor, and he is a good finisher with touch around the rim too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->