Certified Snipers: 2018 VISAA Edition
They always say “If you can shoot you can play anywhere.” With shooting as big a premium as ever, we look at seven juniors in the VISAA who can really stroke it from deep. Brandon Slater | 6’6” WF | Paul…
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Continue ReadingThey always say “If you can shoot you can play anywhere.” With shooting as big a premium as ever, we look at seven juniors in the VISAA who can really stroke it from deep.
Brandon Slater | 6’6” WF | Paul VI
Slater has had a great year for PVI, stepping up and taking over a lot of the role that former star and now Louisville player VJ King had provided. One of his biggest contributions has come in the way of his shooting. Slater is much more aggressive to pull from deep early in the game and even early in the shot clock, and the way he’s been knocking them down there’s no reason to stop him. What’s great about him is that once he gets it going, he’s very good at attacking closeouts and getting in the lane where he has excellent feel for a wing of his size and athleticism.
Darius McGhee | 5’9” PG | Blue Ridge
McGhee can shoot it from anywhere on the court, making him the deadliest small guard in VA. He can shoot it off the catch coming off a screen or off the bounce when changing direction, and his athleticism can be seen by how high he elevates to shoot it. And once he gets it going you better watch out, cause he’ll ring off 15 in a row in the blink of an eye. That’s how he averaged close to 37 points per game last year in NC.
Jaylin Reed | 6’2” WG | Miller School
With a new supporting cast around him at Miller School, Reed has thrived as a spot up and knock down shooter. He has good size at 6’2”, great form on his shot and he never gets discouraged if it isn’t falling early. What makes him even tougher to guard is that once he makes a couple, he’s also great at attacking closeouts and finishing at the rim or with a one-or-two dribble pull up in the lane.
Miles Latimer | 6’2” WG | Paul VI
Arguably the most underrated shooter, if not player, in the WCAC, Latimer has been one of PVI’s unsung heroes off the bench. The 6’2” wing is not only a sniper from deep, he’s an underrated athlete on both ends of the floor. From deep though, Latimer has picture perfect form with a high release and the consistent repetition of a great shooter. He has good footwork, deep range and when he’s on the floor teams know that they can’t help off him or they’ll get burned.
Sardarr Calhoun | 6’5” WF | Blue Ridge
Calhoun may not be as deadly from deep as some of the other names on this list, but his rapid improvement must be recognized. The athletic wing has been big for Blue Ridge in a number of ways, but his ability to knock down shots from deep has kept McGhee and Clemson commit Aamir Simms away from double teams. He’s averaging just over two three’s per game, and has shown improvement in form, range and confidence from deep.
Mike Cunningham | 6’2” WG | Middleburg
Last year at Park View South Hill, Cunningham torched opponents on the regular, scoring over 30 points in a number of games. He has a quick release, can shoot it off the catch or off the bounce and has tremendous confidence letting it fly in transition. He’s a “points in bunches” scorer as well, so when he hits one it’s assumed that a few more are coming soon.
Jordan White | 6’3” WG | Christ Chapel
White, who transferred to Christ Chapel before this season and reclassified to the 2018 class, has shown improvement in a number of areas. However, he’s always been a dead eye shooter. He’s constantly moving without the basketball, has great footwork coming off of screens and can use his size to create space or shoot over defenders. With a big summer, he could see a lot of scholarship interest.