WV Prep School Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Virginia has no shortage of basketball talent in our high schools. However, to move the needle on recruiting some will have to push the issue on what level they can play on. While prep school or post grad years aren't for everyone, they do work in many cases to give a player much needed exposure against other college level competition. Most recently <a href="https://twitter.com/austin_ball2">Austin Ball</a> of Man High School increased his stock from a D2 lock to a Division I signee at <a href="https://gomason.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/austin-ball/7597">George Mason University</a> by going out of state to prep school. His reputation as a deadeye shooter and athletic wing soon grew to be known by many D1 programs. That option for WV players must be a viable one if we are to grow our recruiting pool year to year. Here are five players who graduated in 2023 but who with a prep year will reclass to the 2024 recruiting class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1051586"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Eli is a big strong guard who primarily grades out as a point guard and is natural handling and passing the ball as well as commanding control of any offense.  Has above average mid range game which gives him some crafty scoring opportunities.  Could possibly transition to a 2 guard/SG at the next level with his current given size and willingness to defend.  Allen has had lots of D1 interest along with a handful of offers as well as very high level D2 offers.  A year at one of the more notable post grad programs in the East (u003ca href=u0022https://www.moravianprep.com/u0022u003eMoravian Prepu003c/au003e) should allow him to sharpen his 3 point shooting and off ball skills in turn to have several D1 offers and options.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1408515"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"DeSean shows a versatile array of skills nearly every time on the floor.  Comfortable with his back to the basket in a post up situation as well as facing the basket at the high post, wing or 3 point line.  Good passer with a great basketball IQ as well as an imposing defender.  Goode will have to add a higher degree of physicality to his inside game to ensure a jump to the next level, but he'll certainly get that opportunity to add bulk and strength while at u003ca href=u0022https://athletics.forkunion.com/sports/mens-basketballu0022u003eFork Union Military Academy.  u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["977626"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Schmidt who's headed to u003ca href=u0022https://www.mercersburg.edu/athletics/winter-sports/boys-basketballu0022u003eMercersburg Academyu003c/au003e in Pennsylvania, is a well-rounded basketball player from a well-known basketball family.  Brother plays collegiately and his mother was an assistant coach at Cabell-Midland HS while the two boys played there.  Dominic has consistently shown his ability to score off the dribble whether it be at the rim to finish or pulling up in mid-range.  His inherent basketball IQ gives him the ability to play point guard with great effectiveness while being able to score in tough situations and when the offense breaks down.  A prep year will allow him to become more consistent from 3 meanwhile becoming a next level defender.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["977629"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Smith is a long rangy wing with a skill set of a guard.  He is certainly athletic enough to push his ceiling upward and give himself a chance at a high college level.  Having a scorers mentality has led him greatly improve his offensive game and quickly get his name on the boards of many college coaches.  A year at u003ca href=u0022https://www.moravianprep.com/u0022u003eMoravian Prepu003c/au003e will allow him to consistently see what guarding at the next level night after night really looks like.  Seemingly a natural swingman, Smith will need to add some much-needed bulk and strength to go with his long athletic frame.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2208749' first='Brandon' last='Dennison']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Moravian Prep","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Dennison's skill set resemble's that of a veteran post player.  Catches the ball with ease, has good feet and strong post moves to draw help defenses to the post if not scoring.  However he certainly is no one trick pony.  He possesses the skill to step outside and knock down threes and stretch defenses or expose a mismatch.  Brandon will need to expand his ballhandling, strength and foot speed to propel himself up a level.  Dennison will be competing at u003ca href=u0022https://www.moravianprep.com/u0022u003eMoravian Prepu003c/au003e in the upcoming season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c9f4cc629b8"} /-->