Vantage Hoops 2017 Rankings: Wings (Part 1)
The Vantage Hoops Virginia 2017 Top 150 Rankings were updated yesterday, and now it’s time to take a closer look. Below is part one of our breakdown of the top wings in the class. Stay tuned for more content, including additional position-by-position break-downs, biggest…
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Continue ReadingThe Vantage Hoops Virginia 2017 Top 150 Rankings were updated yesterday, and now it’s time to take a closer look. Below is part one of our breakdown of the top wings in the class. Stay tuned for more content, including additional position-by-position break-downs, biggest stock boosters, and more.
Billy Preston | 6’9” | Oak Hill (#1 Overall)
Preston transferred into Oak Hill as a nationally ranked senior, and he has been phenomenal in their early games so far, including a 26 point, 16 rebound effort in a win over Hargrave’s Post Grad team in a scrimmage. He’s a jumbo wing that’s an effortless athlete, and he’s so tough to match up with. At 6’9” he can shoot the deep ball, put it on the floor and finish in the midrange or take it to the cup and finish with a smooth finger roll or a posterizing dunk. He also has good feel off the ball, making the right cut or using his athleticism and size to keep plays alive on the offensive glass. He hasn’t made his college decision left, but he’s one of the best undecided prospects in the country.
Devontae Shuler | 6’2” | Oak Hill (#3 Overall)
Another nationally ranked wing for Oak Hill, Shuler is one of the toughest and most athletic on-ball defenders in the country, and the first players to tell you that are his own teammates. He’s lightning quick, explosive in transition and thoroughly enjoys sitting down and guarding the best player on the other team. While he’s a streaky shooter, Shuler can play on or off the basketball, and while he can fill it up with the best of them his best attribute is that he still plays hard on both ends of the floor when he isn’t scoring the ball. He’ll be an early impact player at Ole Miss in the SEC.
Mario Haskett | 6’3” | LC Bird (#9 Overall)
We must love defense, because if Shuler is the best on-ball defender in the state, Haskett is right behind him. The Harvard commit looks more and more explosive everyday, yet he uses his athleticism to hound perimeter scorers and read passing lanes for easy steals. He has a dog like mentality defensively, where even if you’re going to give him 20 you’re going to work for that 20. Offensively he’s a combo guard that moves well without the ball and shoots it well off the catch, but can still handle pressure and see the floor when running the point. He’ll be looked at to contribute a lot on both ends for the Skyhawks this season.
Ty-Shon Alexander | 6’4” | Oak Hill (#10 Overall)
Instant offense is what you get out of this Charlotte native and Creighton commit who can flat out score the ball in a lot of ways. Alexander is a tremendous shooter from deep so he works better on the wing, but he’s also a capable ball handler that can create his own shot and finish in traffic. He has good size that allows him to rebound and guard multiple backcourt/wing positions, and he gets hot quickly once he gets in the flow of the offense.
Travis Ingram | 6’3” | Norcom (#11 Overall)
Going for a fourth straight championship, Ingram will be looked at to not only pick up his production, but also assume a leadership role with the graduation of two time state player of the year Travis Fields. The Arkansas State commit is a walking highlight in transition, that often will attack the rim and leave defenders one floor below as he continues to elevate. He has a solid midrange game, and an improved shot from deep, but he’s an energy guy that has a blue collar mentality with high level athleticism. If he is able to be the guy his teammates can lean on down the stretch, he should have Norcom competing for another state title.
Tyler Foster | 6’5” | Middleburg Academy (#13 Overall)
Versatile offensively, Foster is a walking bucket in transition where he can use his length and athleticism to finish at the rim, but also has the confidence to shoot the jumper in transition as well. He’s a good rebounder that can play in the backcourt if you want to go big, or can even play at the 4 if you want to go small and create mismatches. He’ll be the go-to guy for a young but talented Middleburg team, so he’ll have to keep his emotions in check, but if he can do that and win some games he should have a slew of offers from schools in need of a wing.
Kevin “KJ” Davis | 6’5” | Norcom (#14 Overall)
We talked about Ingram stepping up and bringing leadership, but Davis did that a lot last season, along with being arguably their most consistent scorer and toughest matchup on the offensive end. A combo forward, Davis has size to bang with and defend big men in the post, but he’s a perimeter scorer offensively that can shoot the lights out and attack closeouts in the triple threat. He’s a good rebounder and defender as well, and his versatility makes him a nightmare for coaches to plan for. He’ll be attending ECU next season.