6 RVA Forwards Who Are Primed For a Breakout Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season just around the corner, we wanted to look at some players who we believe are set up to have a big year and coaches should keep an eye on. Here's a look at six forwards in the Richmond area to keep an eye out for this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3651534"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad0f4f3d1823"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bateman will be one of the go-to players for a talented Glen Allen team this year, and the way he's shown improvement over the last few years it looks like he's ready for a big season this year. The 6'8” big man is a load in the paint with the ability to play through and finish through contact, he has good back to the basket moves and can score over both shoulders, he has good touch with both hands around the rim, and he can step out to the high post and run the offense through him too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3651530"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad0f4f3d185f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rempe came on the scene this summer after a good junior season with Atlee, and he's part of a front court duo that will be one of the best in the RVA area this year. He's a good athlete who is absolutely ripped and strong in the paint, he can run the floor with the guards and finishes well in transition, he can protect the rim and switch on guards as well, and he continues to get better every time we see him play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3275771"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad0f4f3d1883"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson had a breakout summer and decided to transfer to Collegiate and reclassify to the 2028 class, and he's primed to have a big season as he continues to show improvement and become a walking mismatch. The 6'7” forward is a big time athlete who gets downhill aggressively and plays above the rim with authority. He can score it in the post, he's improved a lot in his perimeter skillset, and he plays with a great motor on both ends off the floor as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3659457"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad0f4f3d18a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hope is part of a Huguenot team that will be very tough to match up with and even harder to beat, and his versatility at 6'6” will be a key factor in their success this year. He is a three level scorer who can work on or off the ball, he gets downhill and uses his size and strength to finish through contact, he rebounds well on both ends of the floor, and he can spot up and knock down shots from deep too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3538906"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad0f4f3d18c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason had a great freshman season at Steward School last year and transferred to Petersburg for his sophomore season, and he continues to improve and show that he's one of the top prospects in the Richmond area. At 6'6” he's a hyper athletic forward who plays with a great motor on both ends of the floor, he's really improved in his ability to knock down shots from deep, he's excellent in the midrange area and can get to spots off the bounce, and he can play and guard multiple positions as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3538916"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad0f4f3d18e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shelton is one to watch on a young but talented Trinity Episcopal team to watch this season, and he's a walking mismatch with his blend of size and skill that allows him to impact the game in a lot of different ways. He's excellent as a screener who can pop or roll and creates spacing with his ability to knock down shots from deep, he can finish around the rim with both hands, he can post smaller players or take slower players off the bounce, and he is a good rebounder as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->