Updated 2029 Rankings: Top NOVA 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 Northern VA area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1) [player_tooltip player_id='2767889' first='Alex' last='Alexander'] | 6'10” C | Gillion Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexander is the new number one in the updated rankings after transferring from Texas to Gillion Academy, and in his first ever events with them he put on a show during the DMV Live periods. The upside for Alexander is enough to make him the top prospect and be considered as a top 25 prospect in the class at this point in his career. At 6'10” he has great footwork and can handle in transition well, he can knock down shots with good range, he's a fluid athlete who can run the floor and is a good athlete around the rim, and he's still just scratching the surface with how good he can be moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4) [player_tooltip player_id='2440984' first='Brayden' last='Ragland'] | 6'6” F | Highland School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2967826,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Ragland-Brayden.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Ragland-Brayden.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2967826" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ragland has been one of the most productive players in the class already, starting for a Highland team who competed in the top division of both VISAA and the EPL, and not only showing he can hang but also producing and competing with much older players who are highly touted. He draws comparisons to Grant Williams as he may be slightly undersized as a traditional power forward but he's strong and explosive vertically around the rim, he can step out and shoots it very well from deep, he can post and face up in the paint, and he plays with a great motor on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6) Harlem Nunez | 6'8” F | The St. James</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3289012,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/Harlem-Nunez.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/Harlem-Nunez.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3289012" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The St. James really went big in the 2029 class, and it all started with landing the commitment of Nunez who transferred from Mt. Zion after a big freshman year last year. The 6'8” hybrid forward is chock full of potential and just scratching the surface with how good he can be as he has a great frame already that will fill out nicely, he is a big time athlete who plays above the rim with authority, he can guard almost any position on the floor, and he already has a good perimeter skillset that will only continue to improve moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7) [player_tooltip player_id='3669293' first='Tylen' last='Kingsby'] | 6'6” SF | The St. James</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kiingsby is another big time transfer to St. James who will make an immediate impact as a sophomore and moving forward, and he's one of the prospects with the highest upside in the class as he continues to develop. He's built to play the game with long arms and a great frame that will fill out moving forward, he is an explosive athlete who can run the floor in transition and plays above the rim effortlessly when he gets downhill, he uses his length and athleticism well on the defensive end and as a rebounder, and he has a great motor already which will make him deadly as he continues to polish his overall game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8) Kenneth Rivers | 5'11” PG | Paul VI</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2880744,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/8-Kenneth-KJ-Rivers.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/8-Kenneth-KJ-Rivers.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2880744" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rivers came off the bench in spurts for one of the top teams in the country last year, and this summer he reminded everyone that he is ready to go with the best of the best in the DMV and is a prospect to watch for as he continues to grow and develop over the next few years. He has the ball on a string and plays with great pace controlling the tempo and pushing in transition, he changes speeds and directions well and gets in the teeth of the defense at will, he has great IQ as a playmaker and picks his spots to score it when he needs to, and as he continues to get stronger he has potential to be a lock down on ball defender too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10) [player_tooltip player_id='3538905' first='Kenny' last='Boyd III'] | 6'4” SF | Paul VI</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyd would have started on 90% of the teams in the DMV area as a freshman, but due to playing for the best team in the area and one of the best in the country he spent much of the year developing and it showed this summer with Team Takeover and PVI in a number of ways. He has a great frame for basketball with long arms and is already very strong for his age, he brings a great motor on both ends and has all the tools to be a lock down perimeter defender, he is a great slasher and thrives in transition with his ability to get to the rim and finish, and he can knock down open shots and will only get more consistent with time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#13) [player_tooltip player_id='2887076' first='Jordan' last='Mason'] | 6'2” SG | The St. James</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mason was a standout at Huntington Prep last year before transferring to St. James this season, and after a big time summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams'] he's in a great spot to contribute on the EYSL and continue to climb rankings and impress coaches as he continues to develop. The lefty guard is a skilled shot maker who can drill it from deep off the catch or get to spots in the midrange, he's shifty off the bounce and is very good out of triple threat with his jab game, he is a crafty finisher around the rim over bigger defenders, and he's in the midst of a growth spurt and will get even more athletic when he's done growing into his body.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->