2020 Rankings Breakdown: Bigs
It’s that time of the year again! With our new and updated Vantage Hoops 2020 Top 150 Rankings comes new names, new recruitment and more! Over the next few weeks we’ll be breaking down all of our rankings, starting with of our feature on the best rising sophomore bigs in the state. Stay tuned to Vantage Hoops for positional breakdowns across each class, and more content on our updated rankings!
Richard Amaefule | 6’7” | Blue Ridge/Team Loaded VA (#5 Overall)
An underrated but highly appreciated part of Blue Ridge’s run to the state championship, Amaefule is already a productive and skilled guy and he still has so much room to grow. He’s surprisingly nimble for a young player his size, and defensively it shows where he can stay in front on switches and guard wings. He has the ability to shoot it off the catch, bang on the glass and he gets off his feet well. As he continues to improve he could develop into a true wing because of these things.
Mark Williams | 6’10” | Norfolk Academy/Team Loaded VA (#7 Overall)
Williams has as much potential as anyone in this class, including Todd. He has soft touch for a big man of any age, as he can step out and hit the jump shot out to the three point line and also has a nice jump hook with both hands. He’s ridiculously which allows him to challenge shots without fouling, and if he can learn to stay down on closeouts and stay out of foul trouble he’ll be a big time paint presence. While he’s lanky, he needs to fill out moving forward.
Dowar Jioklow | 6’8” | Flint Hill/DC Blue Devils (#10 Overall)
Jioklow is a long, lanky and mobile forward that has a great skill set for his age as well. He thrives defensively, where he’s a natural rim protector that is good in both 1-on-1 post situations and in help side where he has excellent timing when challenging shots. Much like Williams, he can also step out and shoot the jumper out to the top of the key and he’s still a presence in the paint with his length.
Ish Plet | 6’7” | Virginia Episcopal School/Team Loaded VA (#15 Overall)
We start getting into the project bigs with high potential with Plet. The kid has a terrific frame, as he’s already cut up and he’s very athletic. He’s always around the ball, especially on the glass, and he’s a pretty good passer as well. It’s all either confidence or just needing more experience for him, but once it clicks he could be a walking double-double.
Mbechi Peter Chuma | 6’10” | Middleburg (#17 Overall)
Chuma came over from Africa earlier this year, and while he struggled at times adjusting to the stay and pace of play over here he’s shown huge potential moving forward. He’s massive, and can get up and down the floor with guards and wings. He’s an impact already on the glass and the defensive end, and if he continues to develop offensively he could be a dominate and versatile force moving forward.
Burke Smith | 6’9” | Trinity Episcopal/BWSL Dip (#19 Overall)
Smith saw sparing minutes on a Trinity team that won the VISAA Division One State Title, but what’s really intriguing about him is that he can flat out shoot the basketball. When set and off the catch, Smith can bury it from the corner or the wing like he’s a guard. He’s stiff right now as he’s still growing into his body, but if he can get bigger, meaner and more nimble moving forward he’ll have a chance to be a very good prospect.
Jake Berry | 6’7” | Bishop O’Connell (#21 Overall)
A lefty that’s an inside-out threat, Berry can stretch the floor with his jumper and he’s also a crafty and strong scorer inside. He’s very well built for his age and has a solid base and good hands as he can catch it in traffic or on the run. He gets out and runs the floor, and when he’s banging in the post he displays good balance and footwork.
Bryson Spell | 6’7” | Kellam/BWSL Pope (#22 Overall)
Spell has the blue collar mentality that should help him moving forward because now it’s all about physical and skill set development. He eats up the glass on both ends, is a good help side defender and can score it well out to 15 feet. His high school coach has had success developing bigs in the past, and if he buys in he’ll have a good chance to be a well recruited prospect.