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

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently updated our class of 2029 rankings in the state of Virginia, going to 100 prospects from across the state we believe will be players to keep an eye on moving forward. Obviously the list is very new and will change plenty over the next three seasons, but for now here's a look at part one of some of the top young prospects in the Central/Western/Southern areas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5) [player_tooltip player_id='2767830' first='Jaiden' last='Hunter'] | 6'7” WF | 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's last two state championship runs since he was an eighth grader, and the nationally ranked wing continues to show improvement as he develops his game grows into his body, and a breakout year could be on the verge for him this season. At 6'7” he has fantastic positional size and is one of the more effortlessly athletic prospects you will find in the class, he's a mismatch who can put it on the deck to get by defenders and knock down shots over smaller defenders, he can play and guard multiple positions using his length to his advantage to challenge shots and get deflections, and when it all clicks he has the tools to play at the highest level in college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#14) [player_tooltip player_id='3538924' first='Jeremiah' last='Robinson'] | 6'5” SF | STAB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robinson will transfer to STAB after starting last year at Trinity Episcopal, and he recently cracked some national ranking lists after having a good summer playing 16U with Local Legends on the NXT Pro Circuit. At 6'5” he has a very intriguing skillset for his size as he can handle the ball both pushing in transition and initiating the offense in the half court, he has great length and is likely still growing into his body which will fill out and become even more athletic with time, he uses his length well to finish at the rim and continues to show improvement in his perimeter shooting, and he has all the tools to be a lock down defender when he fills out in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#20) [player_tooltip player_id='3669298' first='Lincoln' last='Crosston'] | 6'8” PF | Hargrave</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crosston is one of a number of new additions to the Hargrave varsity team, and the North Carolina native is a very intriguing long term prospect to keep an eye on for his development over the next few years. Already standing 6'8” and likely still growing he is able to clog the lane and challenge shots around the rim on the defensive end, he shows good touch with both hands around the rim, he has good shooting mechanics and should be able to stretch the floor as he continues to get more reps, and he still has a ton of room to develop and improve over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#23) [player_tooltip player_id='3046782' first='Davis' last='Winters'] | 6'3” CG | Miller School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winters transferred to Miller School and reclassified to the 2029 class after being a standout the last two years down the road at Western Albemarle, and he is moving into a situation where he fits in perfectly for a Miller team that plays fast and shoots a lot, two things he does very well. The 6'3” combo is able to push the tempo and is very good in ball screens identifying and attacking mismatches, he can work off the ball and shoots it at a high clip from deep, he uses his size to get in the lane and finish over smaller guards, and he brings good instincts and a high IQ on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#24) [player_tooltip player_id='3539420' first='Asher' last='Mattison'] | 6'2” SG | Handley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mattison was a breakout player for Handley in their run to the Class 4 State Championship last year, and with the departure of some of their top guys he will be part of what could be one of the top shooting backcourts in the state. The 6'2” off guard is a sniper from deep with in the gym range and a quick release to get his shot off, he has tremendous confidence as he'll pull in transition or take deep heat checks that often go in, he gets hot quickly and can take over games with his shooting ability, and he is a high IQ player who makes the right decisions consistently on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#25) Paxton Oliver | 6'6” SF | Miller School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oliver is another player that has been part of Miller's last two state championships since he was in eighth grade, and he is a player who could shoot up these rankings as he continues to polish his game as he has huge long term upside. He has a great frame already and seems to get taller every time we see him, he is a natural athlete who runs the floor well and is an explosive finisher when he gets downhill, he has shown improvement in his perimeter skillset including his shot making, and he is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions and moves his feet well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#34) [player_tooltip player_id='3538931' first='Messiah' last='Turner'] | 6'3” SG | GW Danville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turner had a very good freshman year for a GW team that was one of the best in Central VA, and he's going to make a case to be one of the top players in that area this year as he continues to improve and get more confident. At 6'3” and likely still growing he already has good positional size and is very good at getting downhill and finishing through contact, he can knock down open shots from deep and is good at attacking closeouts, he's very good in transition where he can use his athleticism to push the ball and get to the rim, and he is a good rebounder and defender who takes pride on that end of the floor too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#35) [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 since he was in eighth grade for a Roanoke Catholic team that has made back to back trips to the VISAA D3 Final Four, and he'll be part of one of the top backcourts in the Roanoke area this year for a team looking to get over the hump. The 6'1” off guard is a fluid athlete who can run the floor and plays with good change of pace on the ball, he can drill it from deep and is good in the midrange with his pull-up and floaters, he finishes well with both hands when he gets downhill, and he has a high IQ and is a savvy playmaker for his age too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->