Updated 2029 Rankings: Top 757 Prospects (Part 2)

<!-- 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 two of some of the top young prospects in the Hampton Roads area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#41) [player_tooltip player_id='3629938' first='Shawn' last='Mercer'] | 6'6” PF | Oscar Smith</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercer is one of the more intriguing long term prospects in the 757 in this class, as he already has great size for his age and a unique skillset that will only continue to improve with time. At 6'6” with long arms he's a fluid athlete who can run the floor and can guard multiple positions, he uses his length to rebound and finish in the paint, he can put it on the deck and knock down shots on the perimeter, and he's still got a lot of room to continue to develop moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#51) [player_tooltip player_id='3538930' first='Jaden' last='Brownson'] | 6'2” PF | Western Branch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brownson may be slightly undersized but he'll likely grow over the next few years, and he was one of the more productive freshmen in terms of his ability to impact winning without needing the ball in his hands a lot. While he's only 6'2” he's very strong and plays with a high motor attacking the glass, he is physical on the defensive end with the ability to wall up and keep defenders from gaining ground on back downs, he has soft touch around the rim and has shown the ability to knock down shots in the midrange, and he is willing to do the dirty work as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#55) [player_tooltip player_id='3539425' first='DaQuon' last='Davis Jr.'] | 5'10” PG | Peninsula Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Davis had to play behind the top scoring guard in the 757 last year, he is in a spot to take what he learned and the experience that he got last year and make a big jump as the primary ball handler and playmaker for this group this year. The 5'10” lead guard has a lot of tools you like in a floor general as he is shifty and quick off the bounce with the ability to push in transition, he picks his spots and can create shots for himself and others, he has good command of the game and can direct traffic, and he sets the tone with his pesky on ball defense as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#60) [player_tooltip player_id='3539479' first='Chaun' last='Carter'] | 5'11” CG | Portsmouth Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter is in a similar boat as Davis as he played sparingly his freshman year behind a deep and talented backcourt, and he should show improvement not only in his game this year but also in his production and minutes after learning from them. The 5'11” combo works well off the ball to get open and knocks down shots at a high clip from deep, he can attack off the bounce and get in the lane to make plays for himself and others, he has good speed and playmaking ability in the open floor, and he has a high IQ and good vision as a playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#65) Marcellus Conner | 5'11” PG | Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3737172,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/Conner-Marcellus.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/Conner-Marcellus.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3737172" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conner broke onto our radar this summer with Team Loaded 757, and he'll be a welcome addition to a Catholic team that is one of the deeper teams in the area and he should find ways onto the court with his mix of skill and toughness he brings every time he's on the floor. The 5'11” guard can fill it up in bunches both on and off the ball, he has deep range and is consistent from behind the arc, he is shifty off the bounce with the ability to get to spots and make plays for himself and others, and he brings great energy and toughness on the defensive end of the floor too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#66) [player_tooltip player_id='3140389' first='Christien' last='Mason'] | 6'1” CG | Atlantic Shores</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mason was an All Metro selection and was one of the more productive scorers of any freshman in the 757 last year, and he's set to have a big season this year as he's already proven to be the go-to guy and alpha of this Atlantic Shores group. The 6'1” combo is a true bucket getter who knows how to get to his spots and create space off the bounce, he can work off the ball and both knock it down from deep and is good at reading off ball screens to curl and cut, he plays with good pace and burst to get in the lane where he's a crafty finisher, and when he gets it going he can knock down the toughest of shots and fill it up in bunches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#74) [player_tooltip player_id='3539424' first='Grayson' last='Paddock'] | 6'0” SG | Norfolk Collegiate</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paddock is set to take a big jump his sophomore season after showing throughout his freshman year he was a reliable role player, and he's in a good spot to become their second or third option and be productive within that role in numerous ways. He can light it up from deep with good range and a quick release, he is a very good secondary ball handler and makes good decisions with the ball in his hands, he understands spacing and concepts as mover off the ball, and he brings good energy and a solid motor on both ends too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->