Virginia Rankings Breakdown: 2018 Posts
The Vantage Hoops Virginia 2018 Top 100 Rankings were updated this week, and now it’s time to take a closer look. Below is an overview of the top 10 power forwards and centers in the class. Stay tuned for more content, including…
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Continue ReadingThe Vantage Hoops Virginia 2018 Top 100 Rankings were updated this week, and now it’s time to take a closer look. Below is an overview of the top 10 power forwards and centers in the class. Stay tuned for more content, including additional position-by-position break-downs, biggest stock boosters, and more.
C David McCormack | Norfolk Academy | #2 Overall
One of the most highly coveted big men nationally in 2018, 6-foot-10 270 pound center David McCormack is an imposing two-way paint presence. He’s a bull in a china shop who moves bodies and works hard on the glass. His improved fitness level is paying off, and he’s become a lot more skilled over the past few months. He’s already fielded a scholarship offer from Kansas, and has taken recent unofficial visits to Duke, Virginia, and North Carolina. As he continues to improve and produce, it’s only a matter of time before McCormack becomes a priority for the blue bloods.
C Florent Thamba | Mountain Mission | #5 Overall
He’s still a bit raw, but Florent Thamba has come along nicely since his arrival in the U.S. less than 12 months ago. Owning a reported 7-foot-4 wingspan, the 6-foot-10 post is a mobile, hard working big man who exhibits good defensive instincts and potential. He’s still polishing his low post skill set, and getting stronger, but his upside is tremendous. While his recruitment hasn’t taken off yet, it should gain some traction this July at Peach Jam with Team CP3 16U.
PF/C Kenneth Nwuba | Oak Hill Academy | #6 Overall
Another relatively raw big man who possesses elite physical attributes, Kenneth Nwuba is a strong, high motor big man who plays above the rim on both ends of the court. The Nigeria native is still getting comfortable in the post, but he’s a solid defender who rebounds well out of his area. He’s got good body control and the ability to finish consistently in traffic, and a soft touch around the basket. Nwuba will only get better at Oak Hill, and will surely be tracked among the top bigs in his class.
PF Aaron Cash | Millwood | #11 Overall
The long-limbed, 6-foot-7 forward Aaron Cash is an athletic forward who runs the floor and punishes rims in the open court. Given his elite length and athleticsim, Cash can impact the game on both ends of the floor. He’s a natural rim protector with good instincts, challenges vertically, makes rim runs, and crashes the offensive and defensive glass. He plays above the rim on both ends, and while he still needs to get stronger, can finish consistently in traffic. George Mason recently offered Cash, and his recruitment should continue its upward trend in July with Team Loaded VA 16U.
PF Vincent Lee | Paul VI | #20 Overall
Perhaps one of the most improved big men in the class, Vincent Lee has added strength, skill, and confidence in the past six months. The 6-foot-8 power forward has solid fundamentals, and is able to score on the low block and face up as well. He’s a solid rebounder who does a good job boxing out and securing the ball with strong hands. Lee makes crisp, accurate outlet passes, and passes very well out of the post. He runs the floor, and finishes ambidextrously around the basket. While he’s gone relatively under-the-radar thus far, Lee’s division 1 potential is very evident.
PF Zach Pfaffenberger | Episcopal | #25 Overall
In his first year at Episcopal, Zach Pfaffenberger was crowned a state champ. The 6-foot-8 power forward was a huge part of the title run, as he helped fortify the interior on both ends of the court. The strong, skilled big man is a scoring threat on the low block, but can also step out to 22 feet and hit consistently. In recent months, Pfaffenberger has slimmed down and considerably improved his stamina. He’s very solid on both ends of the court as a rebounder, given his relentless motor and dedication to boxing out his man each time. Look for division 1 programs to begin getting involved with Pfaffenberger in July.
PF Quentin Millora-Brown | Bishop O’Connell | #30 Overall
Quentin Millora-Brown demonstrated a nice feel for the game during his sophomore campaign. The long, 6-foot-8 power forward is a very good passer out of the high post, and can knock down the mid range jumper consistently. He’s still adding on strength and filling out his frame, but Millora-Brown makes rim runs and can finish efficiently around the basket. He is a good rebounder with strong hands and tracks the ball at it’s highest point. As he continues to get stronger, and more confident on the low block, Millora-Brown should emerge as a solid division 1 target.
PF Dimitri Georgiadis | Benedictine | #32 Overall
A big, strong paint presence who is very productive on the glass, Dimitri Georgiadis is one of the best rebounders in the class. Owning big, strong, hands, and a great work rate, Georgiadis does a great job boxing out and tracking the ball at it’s high point when securing it off the glass. An improved finisher in traffic, Georgiadis has solid footwork and a soft touch with either hand around the basket. He’s a deliberate decision maker and very unselfish with the ball. Georgiadis can also hit consistently from mid range. As he continues to gain experience and get more confident offensively, he should be regarded among the scholarship level bigs in his class.
PF Nate Spurlock | W.T. Woodson | #35 Overall
A mobile, skilled 6-foot-7 rising junior with a ton of upside, Nate Spurlock is a versatile forward who could end up playing on the perimeter at the next level. The lefty is an underrated, but capable long range threat. Spurlock has a great motor, a to go along with a high basketball IQ. He’s still filling out his lanky frame, but he’s wiry strong and can take contact when finishing around the basket. Spurlock’s ceiling is significant, and he’s starting to make strides towards what he can be. Look for him to be a major factor next season for W.T. Woodson.
PF Tyrek Williams | L.C. Bird | #38 Overall
We didn’t get to see him during the high school season due to injury, but Tyrek Williams has made a strong comeback this spring with River City Reign. Williams is a long-limbed power forward who moves bodies in the paint and crashes the boards with purpose. He’s a solid passer out of the high and low post, and has a soft touch around the rim. Look for Williams to play a major two-way role for L.C. Bird next season.