Early Breakout Players in the 757

The high school season is still relatively young, but there's already been some players who are making quite the name for themselves across the state. Here's a look at seven of the top early breakout players in the Hampton Roads area.   [player_tooltip player_id='2470583' first='Trey' last='Barnhart'] | 6'2” PG | Kellam '27   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImagekcnpFl.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImagekcnpFl.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2502944" /></a></figure>   Barnhart has been a starter for Kellam since his freshman year, but now he's starting to emerge as one of the best guards in the Beach District as he's the go-to guy for their offense this year. The 6'2” lead guard plays the game the right way as he has a mix of fundamental skillset and high IQ that allows him to play the game ahead of others, he can get to spots and scores the ball efficiently from all three levels, and he can make plays for others offensively and use his high IQ on the defensive end too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2470557' first='Dean' last='Williams'] | 6'4” WG | Catholic '27   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/deanwilliams-27-catholic-va-crop-1498x984-1751361694.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/deanwilliams-27-catholic-va-crop-1498x984-1751361694.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2893030" /></a></figure>   Willliams dealt with some injuries last season but was healthy throughout the summer and heading into this season, and he has been one of the top players in the 757 area so far to start this season. The 6'4” wing has consistently been putting up over 20 a game and looking like a player coaches should get to know as he has great length and uses it to finish at the rim and make tough shots, he can fill it up in bunches when he gets it going, and he's a deadly shooter from deep as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2788498' first='Jacarri' last='Jones'] | 6'3” WG | Lake Taylor '26   Jones has been on a tear to start the season for a Lake Taylor team that is looking like a dark horse team this year, and he's part of one of the deepest backcourts in the entire 757. He's been playing winning basketball in a lot of ways as he's made shots from deep and getting to the rim, he's been good using his athleticism in transition, he's shown great effort on the defensive end, and he's stepped up a lot when his team has needed him to this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='2353664' first='Namarqus' last='Byrd'] | 6'4” WF | Princess Anne '27   Byrd has been nothing short of fantastic for PA who is sitting at 8-1 this season, and he's looking like a player coaches need to get familiar with moving forward. At 6'4” with long arms he projects as a 3-and-d player with his ability to guard and knock down shots from deep off the catch, but he's shown a lot of improvement in his ability to create off the bounce and get in the lane to collapse the defense, and he's been very aggressive throughout the young season looking for his shot.   [player_tooltip player_id='2570862' first='Gavin' last='Mallette'] | 6'3” WG | Norfolk Collegiate '27   Mallette transferred to Norfolk Collegiate from Catholic this off season, and he's had a great start to his junior year as he's in the perfect situation as a number two option with a point guard who can make plays for others. He's shot the ball extremely well to start the season showing deep range and a quick release, he's shown improvements off the bounce and on the defensive end, and he's playing with a lot of confidence here to start the season.   Christian Lynch | 6'3” CG | Kempsville '27   Lynch made a bit of a name for himself last season as a sophomore, and he's exploded to start the season as one of the top scoring guards in the Beach, including a 35 point game against Kellam a few weeks ago. The 6'3” combo is best described as a “smooth bucket getter,” as he's someone who plays at his own pace and changes speeds well, he can get to spots all over the floor and has great body control to make contested shots off the bounce, and he is especially good at finishing in the in-between area with an array of floaters and pull-ups.   Melvin Wofford | 5'11” PG | King's Fork ‘27   Wofford showed a lot of improvement with Team Loaded 757 this summer, and he rolled that over into the season as he's been great for King's Fork so far this year. The 5'11” lead guard is playing with great confidence and has controlled the game well taking care of the ball and controlling the tempo, he's shown his ability to put pressure on the defense and get in the lane to make plays, he's scored it well from all over, and he's been great on the defensive end too.

The high school season is still relatively young, but there's already been some players who are making quite the name for themselves across the state. Here's a look at seven of the top early breakout players in the Hampton Roads area.