High Flyers in NOVA (Part 1)

With the high school season just around the corner we're going to take a look at some of the top performers in certain aspects of the game in different areas of the state. Here, we take a look at part one of some of the most athletic players and finishers in the Northern VA area.   [player_tooltip player_id='1403918' first='Callum' last='Crossman'] | 6'8” PF | VA Academy 2023   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Crossman-Callum.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Crossman-Callum-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1318441"/></a></figure>   When it comes to flat out pure athleticism and explosion, you won't find anyone in the state that can match Crossman as the UK native at 6'8” gets as high as anyone you will see. The first time I watched him play he had perhaps the most impressive in game windmill I've ever seen and he pinned a shot well above the square, he can run the floor and crash the glass for big time finishes and he's a great rebounder and shot blocker too with potential that's through the roof.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115503' first='Greg' last='Jones'] | 6'6” WF | Hayfield 2023   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Jones-Greg-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Jones-Greg-CBG-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1301676"/></a></figure>   Jones is perhaps the best prospects in the NOVA public schools as he was a catalyst for Hayfield in their run to the state championship last year, and while he's a versatile player who can do a little bit of everything his length and athleticism is a big reason why he can do a lot of what he does. He gets downhill and can put it on the heads of help side defenders, he can catch lobs both in transition and in set plays and his high motor makes his highlight reel plays more frequent than many others.   [player_tooltip player_id='1403923' first='Dj' last='Holloway'] | 6'1” CG | Hayfield 2023   Holloway is another player that's exciting to watch because he may not look like it at just about 6'1” but he will go up top and challenge bigger players on a regular basis at the rim. He's an aggressive downhill attacking guard who come off the ball screen and get his feet right to take off, he's a very good help side shot blocker for his size and he's usually good for one or more jaw dropping plays every time he takes the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='999645' first='Patrick' last='O'Brien'] | 6'8” PF | Bishop O'Connell 2023   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/OBrien-Patrick-Head-Shot.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/OBrien-Patrick-Head-Shot-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1184060"/></a></figure>   We've mentioned O'Brien plenty with his improvement over the past few years from a back-to-the-basket big to a versatile big who can play both on the perimeter and in the post, but one thing that's happened with him is he's become much more fluid of an athlete and been able to get out in transition and put it on the deck and use his athleticism at the rim. He can drive and get downhill off the bounce and he is a big time leaper off of one foot, and when he gets his eyes on the rim he's going to try to get up and throw it down.   [player_tooltip player_id='1241902' first='Joe' last='Baldwin'] | 6'6” WF | Fairfax Christian 2023   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Baldwin-Joe-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Baldwin-Joe-CBG-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1320944"/></a></figure>   Baldwin is another player who has improved a lot with his perimeter skillet over the past few years, but his explosion around the rim and highlight reel playmaking has always been a part of him. He's long and has great size for his position, he will chase guys down defensively and punish shots off the glass and he has become more adept at getting downhill and rising up to throw it down on defenders and in transition.

With the high school season just around the corner we're going to take a look at some of the top performers in certain aspects of the game in different areas of the state. Here, we take a look at part one of some of the most athletic players and finishers in the Northern VA area.