VISAA Rankings: Big Men 5-1 (All Classes)
With our updated class rankings coming out soon for the 2017-2019 classes, we thought it would be fun to try something different for a change. We broke our rankings up into public schools in the VHSL and private schools that play…
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Continue ReadingWith our updated class rankings coming out soon for the 2017-2019 classes, we thought it would be fun to try something different for a change. We broke our rankings up into public schools in the VHSL and private schools that play in the VISAA (sorry Oak Hill), and broke them down into three positions: Point guards, wings and big men. We took all of the players that we ranked in our three classes in each position, and came up with a top 10 for each position regardless of the class. While breaking them up into classes is great for recruiting purposes, it’s also cool to take a look at who the best in the state is regardless of year.
It wasn’t easy to make cuts because of all the great players, but we did our best to compare the over 300 ranked kids in the state to come up with our list. Here, we take a look at the best of our list for the best big men in the VISAA, again regardless of classification or age. Here’s numbers 5-1 for the best posts in all of the private schools in Virginia. Stay tuned for more rankings previews, and our fully updated prospect rankings coming soon! Let the debate begin!
5) Zach Jacobs | Trinity Episcopal | 2017
Part of an uber talented Trinity team, Jacobs was arguably their most consistent producer last season, and he’s also one of the more versatile big men in the state. He can guard and play multiple positions all over the floor, can take slower bigs out to the perimeter where they’re uncomfortable or he can kill teams on the offensive glass with his high motor and athleticism. When teams want to run, that’s where Jacobs’ is most effective because he can get up and down with guards and he’s athletic enough to finish above the rim with authority. One of the best undecided prospects in the 2017 class, Jacobs’ holds double digit offers and will possibly see even more come late if Trinity makes a run at a state championship.
4) Armando Bacot | Trinity Episcopal | 2019
The other part of the talented Trinity frontcourt, it’s not everyday that you see a big man as polished and talented offensively as Bacot. At 6’9”, he has great size and has slimmed down his body to get more athletic, but where he hurts you is with his skill set and patience on the offensive end. He’s become a reliable shooter that can step out and shoot the deep ball, he can score it over either shoulder with both hands and is a willing and capable passer out of the post when he gets double teamed. He has to become more explosive and quicker on the defensive end, but he has sort of a Lamarcus Aldridge feel that can run the offense from the high post extended. He already holds multiple division one offers going into his sophomore season.
3) Ejike Obinna | Va Academy | 2017
The Vanderbilt commit came to the States as a project, but his high motor and work ethic has paid off as he’s now one of the most productive two way big men in the state. He’s a strong and athletic 6’9” post that blocks everything at the rim and dunks everything in the paint. He can run the floor with his guards, gobbles up rebounds in and out of his area and is relentless with second, third and fourth opportunities in the paint. He’s worked on his face up game, where he’s able to keep defenders guessing and put it on the floor a few times before getting to the rim and using his athleticism. He’ll have to continue to hone his offensive skill set, but there’s no doubt that he looks every bit of an SEC big man.
2) Aamir Simms | Blue Ridge | 2017
I will freely admit that I once questioned Simms a couple years ago, but his improvement on both ends of the floor has made me a believer to the fullest. A long 6’9” big man that can play inside-out, the Clemson commit has solidified himself as one of the best big men on the east coast because of his ability to do so many different things. He’s a high volume rebounder that can start the break himself, trail to hit the three ball or finish in transition above the rim. He’s able to take bigs outside and work them out of the triple threat, but he also crashes the offensive glass and moves well without he basketball. Defensively, his length allows him to alter shots at the rim, and he’s quick enough to move his feet and read the press for steals as well. He’ll have to establish his dominance in every game if he wants to lead Blue Ridge back to the state championship.
1) Nate Watson | Bishop O’Connell | 2017
Watson gets the nod here because he plays like he’s a man amongst boys, regardless who he’s matched up with. At the NBPA Top 100 camp, the 6’8” Watson routinely outplayed guys much bigger than him in the post because of his strength, relentlessness and “bully” type of play. He’s a freakish athlete for his size that’s a walking double-double and is arguably the best big man in the WCAC, which many people believe is the best high school basketball conference in the country. He can finish above the rim in traffic, protects the rim, uses both hands in the paint and loves the physicality of banging with the best in the paint. He committed to Providence, which is the perfect school for his style of play, and the old-school bruiser will beat up on big men all season. He’s a big reason that Bishop O’Connell is our preseason favorite to win the VISAA Division One State Championship, and the nationally ranked big man will do whatever it takes to make that a reality.
Honorable Mention:
Ben Stanley | Millwood School | 2017
Arminas Kleisys | Bishop Ireton | 2017
John Salley | Benedictine | 2017
Isaiah Anderson | Benedictine | 2018
Logan Wells | Bishop Sullivan | 2018
Sergio Portobanco | Episcopal | 2018
Chester Makoi | Williamsburg Christian | 2018
Jaden Frazier | Blue Ridge | 2019
Tariq Balogun | Walsingham | 2019