Virginia Rankings Breakdown: 2018 Overview
It’s our second year ranking the 2018 class, and it’s safe to say things look much different then our first rankings of them two years ago. While rankings are always subject to change, especially with the reclass and transfer rate as it is, almost all of the players have improved whether they dropped or rose in our rankings.
When taking rankings into consideration, the Vantage Hoops team spends about a month contacting coaches and experts across the state to compile the list. There were over 175 kids we considered for the top 100, and the rankings reflect the next level potential of the prospects. Things taken into consideration include upside, high school production, head-to-head matchups, skill set on both sides of the ball and include intangibles such such as how recruitable a kid is based on grades, attitude and how coachable they are.
Here’s a broad overview of our rankings, taking a look at some of the trends we’ve seen so far. Stay tuned for more in depth breakdowns of the 2018 class and the first ever 2019 rankings on Vantage Hoops!
Five New Faces in the Top 20
All rankings change immensely over the years, but the sophomore year is where the cream typically rises to the top, and the updated rankings show that with five new players featured in the top 20 of the rankings. While some matured physically and took their games to the next levels, others were just discovered, while one player reclassified from the 2017 class.
To really see how the rankings can change so quickly, just look at the bottom of the top 10 of the rankings, where 8-10 are all debuts in the top 10. At #8, 6’4” Keyontae Johnson moved up over 30 spots, as he was in the 40s in the last rankings. Johnson has always been a high level basketball player, but he grew about three inches since last summer, and has filled out to where he’s one of the most athletic and strong wings on the floor at all times.
At #9 comes 6’3” Alex Petrie of St. Christopher’s, who officially reclassified from the 2017 class where he was in the mid-twenties. Petrie was part of perhaps the most lethal backcourt in the state last year, as he averaged over 22 points per game alongside Richmond commit Nick Sherod, and with another year could continue to get stronger and more athletic which would let him translate better to the next level.
At #10, he’s still shrouded in mystery but 6’7” Dima Zdor of Mount Mission is chock full of potential to contribute right now and get better moving forward. With good size, Zdor is capable of playing both forward positions, and his high motor means he’s going to find ways to produce at a high level moving forward.
The other two making their Top 20 debuts are 6’1” Lake Taylor point guard Joe Bryant at #16 and 6’0” Gate City point guard Mac McClung. Bryant was a breakout performer and key contributor for Lake Taylor in the run to the 4A state championship, and he’s continued to show that he’s a strong guard that can make plays on both sides of the ball for BWSL Chiz this summer. McClung was another prospect who was ranked in the 40s before a breakout sophomore season, and they athletic and dynamic point guard has seen his recruitment pick up with Team Loaded as he’s pulled offers from Radford, Kent State and Miami (OH) this summer.
Expect to see even more shake ups coming as they reclass/transfer season has just started this summer.
National Prospects Highlight the Top
While some of the prospects in the 2018 rankings are just now making a name for themselves, they do feature three players that were ranked in the ESPN Top 60, and include three players that were featured at the NBPA Top 100 camp last weekend in Charlottesville.
At the top is Keldon Johnson, a 6’5” scoring wing that has been tearing up the EYBL circuit playing up with Boo Williams. Johnson has always had a strong frame for his age, but he’s shown improved athleticism and a killer instinct in which he’s been attacking opponents on every play and not settling for the jump shot. He came in at #12 in ESPN’s Top 60.
At our #2 spot comes 6’10” David McCormack of Norfolk Academy and Team Loaded, who has become one of the most sought after big men in the country after announcing he was quitting football to focus on basketball. The behemoth of a big man has been as good of a paint presence as you can find on the Adidas Gauntlet, and has pulled in offers from Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Kansas, Wake Forest, Miami, Seton Hall, Baylor and Florida State since the summer started. He comes in at #44 in ESPN’s Top 60.
Coming in at #6 in the rankings is 6’10” Kenneth Nwuba of Oak Hill. While he’s still a project, Nwuba has shown pro potential as a paint presence and rim protector with his long arms, quick leaping ability and timing in the paint on the defensive end. He participated in the NBPA Top 100, where he struggled at times against more polished bigs but showed his high ceiling by making hustle plays around the basket.
Coming in at #7, and rounding out the ESPN Top 60 at #60 is former Carlisle and current Team Loaded VA 17U point guard Rasir Bolton. Bolton has always shown a poise and understanding of the game far beyond his years, and his ability to fill it up and make plays at the point guard position is what makes him so advanced for his age. He’s become a knock down shooter from deep, and is capable of breaking down defenders and getting in the lane at will.
While we personally feel a few of the other top ranked players in the state deserve more national love, these four have put the work in and seen their stock rise because of it.
Breakdown By Position
We know there’s a lot of controversy over ranking players of the same position. There’s also some controversy in what position certain kids are. Here’s how we broke down the number of players per each position in our rankings.
PG: 28
WG: 29
WF: 15
PF: 22
C: 6
Top 10 List
1) Keldon Johnson | 6’5″ | WG/WF | Park View High School (South Hill) |
2) David McCormack | 6’10” | C/PF | Norfolk Academy |
3) Brandon Slater | 6’6″ | WF/WG | Paul VI |
4) Montez Mathis | 6’4″ | WG | Oak Hill Academy |
5) Florent Thamba | 6’10” | C | Mount Mission |
6) Kenneth Nwuba | 6’10” | C | Oak Hill Academy |
7) Rasir Bolton | 6’1″ | PG | Carlisle |
8) Keyontae Johnson | 6’4″ | WG/WF | Norview |
9) Alex Petrie | 6’3″ | PG | St. Christopher’s |
10) Dima Zdor | 6’7″ | WF/PF | Mount Mission |
You can see the full 2018 Top 100 list here!