Summer Stock Boosters: 2018 Wings (Part One)
With the final live periods coming to a close a couple weeks ago, it’s now time to take an in depth look at some of the biggest stock boosters in Virginia throughout the entire AAU season. The lists compiled will…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the final live periods coming to a close a couple weeks ago, it’s now time to take an in depth look at some of the biggest stock boosters in Virginia throughout the entire AAU season. The lists compiled will be organized based on year and position, and will only include players that have open recruitments and have yet to make a verbal commitment. It’s impossible for us to mention every kid that boosted their stock throughout the summer, but we’ve narrowed down some of the players that took the biggest jumps in improvement and interest from colleges. Here’s part one of the 2017 wings.
Keldon Johnson | 6’6” | Huntington Prep/Boo Williams EYBL
New Offers: Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, St. Louis, Providence, Florida, Ohio State
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #1
If Twitter is the new official message board of high school hoops where all decisions are confirmed, Johnson was officially welcomed to the Huntington Prep family in WV, meaning he will no longer be the #1 player in the Vantage Hoops Rankings. However, he did prove that he’s one of the elite level scorers in the country, routinely torching EYBL teams he was playing up against for big numbers. He’s filled out and got stronger, showed an improved handle and was relentlessly competitive when it came to getting a bucket for his team. He didn’t shoot the ball as much or as well as he did in 15U last season, but it could be a positive as he doesn’t look to settle for jump shots and is attacking the basket more.
Brandon Slater | 6’6” | Paul VI/Team Takeover
New Offers: Villanova, UVA, George Mason, UCF, WVU
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #3
Slater took a big jump offensively during his junior season at Paul VI, showing off an improved jump shot and even the ability to handle the basketball as a secondary option. Over the summer, he somewhat reverted back to his niche as a defensive stopper and big time playmaker in transition. His improvement offensively is encouraging, and should make him one of the most sought after wings on the east coast as his career develops.
Montez Mathis | 6’4” | Oak Hill/Team Melo
New Offers: NC State
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #4
Toughness is what we took from watching Mathis, who attributes his improvement to going up against perhaps the best backcourt in the country everyday in practice at Oak Hill. He’s a streaky shooter, but always seems to get hot when it matters the most down the stretch. He’s a good athlete, has great size, plays hard on both ends and is a competitor that hates to lose. Expect his recruitment to continue to pick up slowly throughout the season.
Keyontae Johnson | 6’5” | Norview/Boo Williams
New Offers: ODU, Norfolk State, UMES, Providence, Virginia Tech
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #8
Photo courtesy of Matt Hatfield of Virginia Preps.The biggest jump in our midsummer rankings came from the Norfolk wing, who jumped all the way from 42 to the top 10. It’s easy to attribute his jump in stock to his growth, as he grew from a skinny 6’2” shooter to a ripped 6’5” wing that can score it at all three levels. He’s an efficient wing that lets the game come to him, and he’s shown improvement in his ability to attack off the dribble in isolation situations. Among the schools that offered him was Virginia Tech, and it would be no surprise to see more high major and good mid major schools getting involved with him his junior year.
Dereon Seabron | 6’5” | Lake Taylor/Team Loaded 757
New Offers: Mount St. Mary’s, Hampton
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #35
Seabron showed a lot of maturity this summer with Team Loaded 757, as he began to take the reigns as the go-to scoring threat as the summer went on. He’s a tough matchup because he has great size and a tight handle, and when he’s knocking down shots from deep it’s going to be a long day for defenders. He also showed good feel, and when he figures out how to be as effective using less dribbles and becomes more productive on the glass he should begin to see the offers rolling in soon.
Jalen Jordan | 6’3” | Lake Taylor/BWSL WAWG
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #28
After a good junior season with Lake Taylor, Jordan showed tremendous improvement this summer, and looks like he’s ready to be a go-to guy along with Seabron and point guard Joe Bryant next season. The lefty shooter heats up quickly and has in-the-gym range off the catch, and his improved athleticism means he’s growing into his body, making him more of a threat on the glass and finishing in transition. He is still working on his handle, which also showed improvement, and when he gets that some of his division one interest should turn into legit offers soon.