Transfer News: VA 2022s (Part 2)

<p>Although AAU was different this year, there seems to be a plan to play high school basketball this year in Virginia, even if it starts a little later than usual. There’s been plenty of news of transfers across the state, and we will take a look at a few of them. Here’s a look at eight transfers in the upcoming junior class that should make a big impact this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="798690" first="Matt" last="Nunez"] | 6’10” C | Hargrave 2022</strong></p> <p>Nunez is a guy who saw a breakthrough after transferring from Woodside to Walsingham last year and doubled down by reclassifying and heading to Hargrave where he’ll play on the varsity team this year and likely the postgrad team next year. An old school big who works best on the block, Nunez is a guy who you can throw it into and he can score with his back to the basket or draw double teams and kick to open shooters, and his size makes it hard to not send him to line where he’s an excellent free throw shooter. His size also makes him an impact in the paint where he can alter shots and make it uncomfortable for slashing guards as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="815583" first="Kanye" last="Clary"] | 5’10” PG | Massanutten 2022</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Clary-Kanye-PA.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1025488" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Clary-Kanye-PA-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Clary was one of the best point guards in the 757 the past few years regardless of class, and he’s on the way to show he can play against the best of the best regardless of age as he will play for Massanutten’s post grad team this year. A dynamic and super shifty point guard, Clary is a guy who can run the show and get his team into their sets but is also great in isolation situations where he can break guys down and make plays off the bounce. He’s improved in his shooting and needs to continue to improve in his consistency from deep, but he’s one of the best off the bounce as someone who can make something out of nothing and can do it over and over again throughout the game.</p> <p><strong>James Bell | 6’7” PF | Collegiate 2022</strong></p> <p>Bell is an under the radar prospect out of the Richmond area after helping Goochland to two successful seasons the past couple of years and will head to Collegiate where he can show his abilities both on the court and in the classroom. Bell is still a project but has some intriguing qualities to him with is size, length and touch from multiple spots around the court. He has a smooth jumper, he’s mobile and can play uptempo along with finishing above the rim and he plays hard on both ends as well as excelling in the classroom,</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962814" first="Jack" last="Faulkner"] | 5’10” PG | Patrick Henry (Roanoke) 2022</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Faulkner-Jack-RC-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1048039" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Faulkner-Jack-RC-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Faulkner was a breakout guy in the Roanoke area last year with Roanoke Catholic and has transferred to join a talented group at Patrick Henry that went to the Class 5 semifinals last year. Faulkner isn’t the biggest or most athletic guy and won’t wow you with flash in his game but he is a guy who is skilled, smart and makes the right play at the point guard position. He’s a very good shooter from deep both off the catch and off the bounce, he reads the defense well and he’s a competitor who steps it up against big time players and teams.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="815591" first="Wendell" last="Tomlin"] | 6’7” PF | Church Hill Academy 2022</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Tomlin-Wendell-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1048041" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Tomlin-Wendell-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Tomlin was a guy who showed tremendous potential in his early time at Benedictine but seemed to have fallen out of the rotation for some reason late last year and will head to Church Hill Academy where his size and skill will be a welcome addition to the up and coming program. Tomlin is a walking mismatch with is length and mobility at the four spot, but offensively he thrives as a catch and shoot guy and someone who can stretch the defense while also making an impact in the paint.</p> <p><strong>Tazir Smith | 6’3” PG | Virginia Academy 2022</strong></p> <p>Smith was an under the radar recruit as a 2021 breakout guard at Colgan HS, but now that he’s reclassifying and heading to Virginia Academy he could have coaches see tons of potential in him moving forward. Smith is a true point guard with great size, and he’s able to handle the rock and make plays with the ball in his hands while also being a solid defender on the basketball as well. His size gives him an advantage in everything he does and with an extra year he should be able to continue to improve and show his potential to coaches as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="798703" first="Reiss" last="Whitaker"] | 6’7” PF | Highland School 2022</strong></p> <p>Whitaker will head to Highland School after spending the last three years at PVI where he will reclassify and join the 2022 class. Whitaker joins a Highland team that made the state semifinals last year, and will fit in extremely well as another big that can play inside-out and be another shot maker for an already talented group.A guy who is very versatile on the offensive end and can play inside-out, Whitaker is a guy who should benefit greatly from an extra year and in a position where he can show what he can do on both ends of the floor more.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="964450" first="Jacob" last="Rice"] | 6’6” WF | Miller School 2022</strong></p> <p>Rice will head to the other side of Albemarle County after spending last year at Blue Ridge, and should be a welcome addition to a Miller program that needs depth on the wing. At 6’6”, Rice is a guy with a good frame, he’s athletic and plays with a high motor and finds ways to be productive all over the court. He’s an efficient scorer that can play on or off the basketball and is only scratching the surface with how good he can be.</p>