2019 Rankings Breakdown: Bigs (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, starting with part one of our bigs featuring eight of the best rising junior in the state. Stay tuned to Vantage Hoops for positional breakdowns across each class, and more content on our updated rankings!
Armando Bacot | 6’10” | Trinity Episcopal/Team Loaded VA 17U (#1 Overall)
Take the national rankings however you want to, I’ve never seen a big man his age with his type of skill set. Bacot has trimmed up and is running the floor better, and he has hands that catch and block everything. He finishes well with both hands and is starting to finish everything above the rim, and he has the added bonus of a soft jumper out to 18 and the ability to find shooters on kick outs and cutters for layups. He may be an old school big, but he looks like a pro if he continues to get his body right.
Qudus Wahab | 6’11” | VA Academy/Team Loaded NC 17U (#5 Overall)
Wahab has so much potential that he’s just starting to scratch the surface with. At 6’11”, he’s a terrific rim protector and he can run the floor with guards and wings to finish above the rim or clean up the offensive glass. He still has work to do offensively, but he’s made major improvements in both his post game and in his midrange jump shot. If he continues to improve at the rate he is, he’ll be a very highly recruited player moving forward.
Oscar Tshiewebe | 6’8” | Mount Mission/Team Loaded VA 17U (#7 Overall)
Didn’t get much of a chance to see Oscar this season, but he quietly dominated everyone the summer before. He’s a load at 6’8″, but is also nimble and able to run the floor for put backs and easy post ups. He has a motor that never stops, and while he’s still pretty raw he produced against all the competition, even when playing up with the Loaded 17U program.
Khyree Temple | 6’5” | Phoebus/BWSL Chiz 16U (#9 Overall)
An athletic and high motor 3/4 combo, Temple is the highest ranked debut in this class after leading Phoebus to the state semifinals. He’s left handed but uses both hands when passing and when finishing around the basket, and he thrives in transition where he can finish above the rim and handle it in transition. Has to become a more consistent shooter and refined wing to take his game to the next level, but he’s productive, versatile and full of high major potential.
Charles Thompson | 6’8” | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes/Team Takeover (#20 Overall)
He’s still somewhat raw, but he’s sprouted to 6’8” and he’s become a force in the paint on both ends of the floor. He has a solid and strong frame, and he’s quick off his feet to protect the paint or finish above the rim. At his rapid rate of improvement, expect a big junior season from Thompson moving forward.
Josh Oduro | 6’6” | Battlefield/High Level 17U (#21 Overall)
Oduro has made great strides in getting his body right, and his skill set moving forward will have division one coaches very intrigued. He has an inside-out game offensively with a soft touch out to 18 feet, and he hits the glass on both ends of the floor. If he can continue to get in shape so he can guard on the perimeter he’ll be an intriguing hybrid forward.
Tariq Balogun | 6’9” | Walsingham/BWSL Chiz (#23 Overall)
A native of London, Balogun has an intriguing mix of size, skill and a high motor that makes him an impact even when nothing is run for him. He protects the rim, eats the glass on both ends and can stretch the floor on pick-and-pop situations. Best thing about him is that he’s young for his grade, meaning he has plenty of room for development still.
Prince Toyambi | 6’6” | Oak Hill Academy (#25 Overall)
An undersized four man, Toyambi isn’t as talented as some of the other Oak Hill players, but he brings energy and toughness that some of the superstars don’t. He was their only big off the bench, and when he came in he always seemed to make a play either on the defensive end or keeping a play alive offensively. He showed soft touch from fifteen and in, and we’re excited to hopefully see him more this season.