Predicting the Top 25 Players in Richmond This Season (Part 1)

With the summer over it's time to look ahead to the season, and we thought it would be fun to predict (subjectively of course) who would be the top players in different areas of the state. With that being said, here's a look at part three of my prediction for the top 25 players in the Richmond area this next season.   *Editor's note: This is a list of who I think will have the best individual seasons next year, not the best prospects. So depth of team, production rate, team success, etc are all considered.   #25) [player_tooltip player_id='2918922' first='Peyton' last='Hicks'] | 6'3” WG | Matoaca '28   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Hicks-Peyton.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Hicks-Peyton.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3592836" /></a></figure>   Hicks has been a starter for Matoaca since he was a freshman, and he's set up to be one of the top players in the Richmond area this year after a good summer with Local Legends. The 6'3” wing is a two way impact guy who can produce across the board, and is one of the more well rounded scorers in the area as well. He can make shots off the catch from deep, he gets to the rim and is a good finisher though contact and is very good at drawing fouls, and he can play and guard multiple positions for them as well.   #24) [player_tooltip player_id='3346359' first='Blake' last='Watkins'] | 6'1” WG | Steward '29   <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 was one of the top freshmen in the area last season at Steward, and his confidence is well beyond most players that are his age. The 6'1” off guard is a talented shot maker who can play on or off the ball, and when he gets it going he can fill it up and make a lot of tough shots. He can work off the ball and make shots on the move coming off screens, he can push in transition and finish around the rim, and he gets to spots and can create space to make shots in the midrange too.   #23) Desmond Hubbard | 6'1” CG | Manchester '27   Hubbard was the breakout player for Manchester last year as a junior, and now as a senior it will be his team and he will have a chance to put up some big numbers. The 6'1” guard is a physical downhill finisher who brings it on both ends and produces across the board. He's a strong finisher through contact, he can knock down open shots on the perimeter, he's a good rebounder and defender, and he can make plays for others as well.   #22) [player_tooltip player_id='2898028' first='Joel' last='Nicholson'] | 6'3” CG | Hanover '27   Nicholson is one of the more underrated players in the Richmond area, and he'll have a chance to put up big numbers at Hanover as their go-to guy this year. At 6'3” he has great positional size that allows him to impact the game in a lot of different ways, and he is a matchup nightmare for most teams in the area. He uses his length to rebound and challenge shots on the perimeter, he is shifty off the bounce and gets to the rim where he's a good finisher, he can score it off the bounce in different ways, and he can command the game and make plays for others too.   #21) [player_tooltip player_id='3554534' first='Roman' last='Dennis'] | 6'2” WG | Varina '28   Dennis is one of the top rising juniors in the Richmond area, and he is in a situation to have a breakout season with a good Varina team this year. The 6'2” wing is coming off a great summer with VA Havoc, and that confidence should transition into him being one of the top two way perimeter players in the area. He can work off the ball and make shots from deep, he's very good at getting to spots in the midrange or getting downhill and finishing through contact, he is a very good defender both on the ball and in help, and he is getting better with every day as well.   #20) [player_tooltip player_id='3651535' first='Horatio' last='Kinlock'] | 6'2” PG | Huguenot '27   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Kinlock-Horatio.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Kinlock-Horatio.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3588970" /></a></figure>   Kinlock broke onto the scene for a Huguenot team that was one of the surprises last year in the area, and he had a great summer as well as he looks like he'll be one of the best guards around. He's a well rounded guard with a blend of athleticism, skill, IQ and toughness that is hard to find in a single player. He takes pride defensively setting the tone with his ability to pick up, he can score the ball from all three levels, he's dynamic in transition with his athleticism and strength as a finisher, and he is an unselfish playmaker who makes everyone on his team better as well.   #19) [player_tooltip player_id='3554525' first='Danny' last='Mooney'] | 6'0” WG | Collegiate '28   The son of Richmond Head Coach Chris Mooney, he was one of the breakout players in the area last year putting up big numbers as a sophomore, and now with even more confidence he's set for an even bigger year this year. He's one of the top shooters in the area, and as expected as a coach's son he has a great IQ and instincts along with toughness to him as well. He has in the gym range with a quick release, he's a good secondary ball handler who handles pressure and makes good decisions, he is crafty around the rim when he gets in the paint, and he has steadily become a more athletic finisher too.   #18) Eduarda Marra | 6'5” WF | Carmel School '27   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Marra-Eduardo.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Marra-Eduardo.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3588414" /></a></figure>   Marra is perhaps the most slept on player on this entire list, as he came over to Carmel a couple of seasons ago and he's shown a ton of improvement over that time. When it comes to the offensive end, he's a true Swiss-army knife at 6'5” that makes him a walking mismatch for any team to match up with. He handles the ball well and is very good at getting to spots in the midrange or getting to the rim where he converts well on both, he is a very good passer for his size and position, he rebounds well and can start the break, and he is a versatile defender as well.   #17) [player_tooltip player_id='2624544' first='Chris' last='Lamm'] | 6'0” PG | Benedictine '27   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Lamm-Chris-804.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Lamm-Chris-804.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3625089" /></a></figure>   Lamm has been the catalyst for Benedictine over the past three seasons, and he is primed to be one of the top guards in the area this year after a great summer with Team [program_tooltip program_id='2416185' first='Loaded' last='804']. He's the epitome of a true floor general, as he sets the tone on both ends and runs the show making everyone around him better. He oozes toughness and leads by example with his intensity defensively and the way he fights for loose balls, he gets where he wants off the bounce and is really good at reading defenses and delivering on point passes, he picks his spots and scores it when he needs to, and he just impacts winning in so many ways.

With the summer over it's time to look ahead to the season, and we thought it would be fun to predict (subjectively of course) who would be the top players in different areas of the state. With that being said, here's a look at part three of my prediction for the top 25 players in the Richmond area this next season.