2018 Rankings: Wings (Part 1)
It’s that time of the year again! With our new and updated comes new names, new recruitment and more! Over the next few weeks we’ll be breaking down all of our rankings, today we’ll be featuring eight of the best rising senior wings in Virginia. Stay tuned to Vantage Hoops for positional breakdowns across each class, and more content on our updated rankings!
Brandon Slater | 6’6” | Paul VI/Team Takeover (#2 Overall)
Despite holding over 20 high major offers, Slater is still somehow highly underrated in national rankings, at least in our opinion. He’s long and a good defender that can guard on the perimeter and still protect the rim in help situation. He can shoot it off the catch, run the floor and finish above the rim in transition and is a good passer as a wing. There’s no question he’ll be an elite player at a high level school next year.
Max Johns | 6’4” | Woodberry Forest/Stackhouse Elite (#8 Overall)
Johns’ stock stalled a little bit this past season due to a knee injury that kept him out the entire high school season. It was unfortunate too, because his stock was finally on the rise after picking up an offer from ODU. He has good size as a two guard, can really shoot it from deep and has a good frame with athleticism that translates well moving forward. If he can get healthy and show that he can be a productive player in different roles, he should be a steal at the next level.
Miles Latimer | 6’2” | Paul VI/Team Takeover Orange (#15 Overall)
Latimer’s stock is taking off with mid major programs, and it’s due to his work both on and off the court. A high academic student, Latimer has worked to become more than just a knock down shooter, and it’s paying off. He’s gotten stronger and more athletic, and he’s playing more with the ball in his hands showing that can he can create shots for both himself and others. As schools start to see the complete package, Latimer should continue to see the offers role in moving forward.
Dereon Seabron | 6’5” | Lake Taylor/Team Loaded 757 (#16 Overall)
Seabron showed a lot of promise early, and now that he’s becoming more aggressive and consistent he’s seeing his recruitment take off. He’s a long and tall wing that create his own shot, and his handle and jump shot have come a long way. If he can put on weight, show an alpha dog mentality and begin to rebound like he’s 6’5″, he should see his recruitment continue to go up.
DJ Myers | 6’6” | Hargrave/Team Wall (#18 Overall)
Myers is a skilled wing that can play inside and out, and what he lacks in athleticism he makes up for with strength, high IQ and craftiness. At 6’6″ he can put it on the floor, shoot the jumper both from the midrange and from deep, and he attacks the glass on both ends, rebounding well for a wing. He at times seems like he’s coasting, but he can score it in so many different ways it’s very impressive.
DeAndre Thomas | 6’4” | Millwood/Team Richmond Garner Road (#19 Overall)
Another hybrid guard, Thomas has taken leaps and bounds as a point guard and decision maker. He sees the floor well in transition, can make shots from all three levels and is a great athlete at the guard spot. He can disappear at times, but when he gets hot he can really fill it up, and his size and potential are a big reason he’s sitting with a handful of offers with more to come likely.
Sardarr Calhoun | 6’5” | Blue Ridge/Team Loaded VA (#20 Overall)
Calhoun reclassified after turning eyes last summer with Boo Williams, and he’s continued to improve at Blue Ridge which is known for player development. He has great size and athleticism, and has a nice mix of skills as he can put it on the floor, deliver good passes and make open shots. He’s an unselfish player, too much as times, but he’s just starting to scratch the surface with both his ability and understanding of the game. At his rate of improvement, Calhoun continues to look like a steal at the midmajor level.
Matthew Urbach | 6’4” | WT Woodson/Team Takeover Orange (#23 Overall)
Talk about a stock riser, everyone loves a knockdown shooter that will let it fly with confidence, and there aren’t many better at that than Urbach. He showed that in Pittsburgh, where he picked up his first offer from La Salle of the A10. A surprising athlete that gives 100% the whole time on the floor, he may be pigeon holed as just a shooter but he’s starting to show that he can do more, and he’s good enough to do that at the next level too.