Vantage Hoops 2019 Rankings: Wings
The Vantage Hoops Virginia 2019 Top 60 Rankings were updated earlier this week, and now it’s time to take a closer look. Below is our breakdown of the best 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 2019 Top 60 Rankings were updated earlier this week, and now it’s time to take a closer look. Below is our breakdown of the best wings in the class. Stay tuned for more content, including additional position-by-position break-downs, biggest stock boosters, and more.
Aundre Hyatt | 6’6” | Miller School (#1 Overall)
One of the biggest shake ups in the VISAA, Hyatt transferred into Miller School from New York, and after his showing at the BooPlex Jamboree in October he edged out Armando Bacot for the top spot in our 2019 rankings. What makes Hyatt so special is that he’s a shooter with great size and he can create his own shot. He has great form off the catch or the bounce with a quick trigger and deep range, and he doesn’t go through cold streaks shooting the ball much. He already holds a slew of division one offers, his latest coming from Virginia Tech, and his addition to a new look Miller School team will make them tough to match up with.
Mike Christmas | 6’5” | Landstown (#7 Overall)
Christmas was one of the most productive freshman in the state last season, leading Landstown in both scoring and rebounding and leading them to the 6A State Quarterfinals. Over the summer, he worked on his perimeter skill set offensively, and he’s handling it better in transition already. He can shoot it from deep off the catch, has great fundamentals in the half court and has a tremendous motor that allows him to kill the glass on both ends. With his athleticism and work ethic, he isn’t far away from being considered a high level prospect if he continues to improve.
Zac Ervin | 6’5” | Gate City (#8 Overall)
He started every game his freshman season for a Gate City team that made the 2A State Semifinals, and Ervin was more than stellar this summer for Team Loaded VA. He has sort of a Matt Walsh feel to his game, because he has good size on the wing and he can make shots in a number of different ways. He has to work on his foot speed defensively, but Ervin is a smart and tough all-around player who makes shots, rebounds and has good vision. He’ll be part of a fun backcourt with junior Mac McClung, and it will be tough for schools in their area to match up with such a big and versatile wing like Ervin.
Dajour Rucker | 6’6” | Cape Henry (#9 Overall)
He’s down over 20 lbs. from last season, and it’s safe to say that moving forward Rucker will be a wing if he continues to drop weight. He was named Cape Henry MVP last season, and the highlight of his season came when he went tit-for-tat with nationally ranked Miles Bridges (Michigan State), dropping a double-double in their upset win. He has a high motor on both ends and he doesn’t mind throwing his weight around in the paint, but his skill set offensively makes it tough for teams to match up with him. He can stroke it from deep, put it on the floor or attack the offensive glass, and that skill set is the reason he already holds multiple division one offers.
DeArvae Heard | 6’3” | Miller School (#11 Overall)
The first thing you see with Heard is his frame, because he has broad shoulders and cut arms for a prospect his age. He’s a bully of a two guard that likes to attack off the wing and run in transition, and his strength allows him to finish through contact. He has a good midrange game, can guard multiple positions and he has a toughness that you just can’t teach. He’ll be part of a talented backcourt, so Heard may not put up big time numbers every game, but he’ll set the tone on both ends for Miller this season.
Julien Wooden | 6’6” | Northside (#14 Overall)
Upside is the word to use for Wooden, because his ceiling is as high as anyone on this list. He’s super long and bouncy, and the lefty has shown that he has the ability to step out and knock down shots from deep or the midrange. He can handle it in transition, finishes above the rim and as he continues to learn more about the game he’ll have a chance to be a versatile lock down defender both on the perimeter and in the post. It’s simply a matter of it clicking for him, but he’ll have to show that he wants to be great this year with Northside.