2020 Rankings Breakdown: Wings
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 wings in the state. Stay tuned to Vantage Hoops for positional breakdowns across each class, and more content on our updated rankings!
Isaiah Todd | 6’10” | John Marshall/Team Loaded VA 16U (#1 Overall)
If he isn’t the front runner, he at least has to be in the conversation for the top prospect in the country. He needs work on his strength so he can’t get pushed out to the three point line so easily, but there’s no kid I’ve ever seen with his mix of length, skill and athleticism at a young age. He can handle it in transition, has a pretty stroke from the elbow and out to the three-point line, runs the floor like a gazelle and finishes high above the rim. He’s also a tremendous rim protector and chase down guy in transition. He’s the most recruited freshman in the country, and it’s only going to continue to grow with time.
Josh Hemmings | 6’7” | Oak Hill/U Play 17U (#3 Overall)
Hemmings has potential through the roof, and the fact that he’s already playing against high level competition consistently means he’s only going to get tougher and better. He has a tremendous frame and a high IQ for a wing, as he sees the floor and is able to make plays off the bounce in transition and in the half court. He needs to work on his consistency as a shooter, but his overall feel, athleticism and skill set is one that you don’t see, and is why he’s considered the top Canadian prospect in the class.
Cam Thomas | 6’2” | Oscar Smith/Boo Williams 16U (#4 Overall)
I will freely admit that I was a loud doubter of the hype when he came into his freshman season with offers from ODU and Hampton, but he has made a true believer out of me. Thomas has a different mindset than most kids his age, which is that of a killer. He is a sniper from deep that is always looking for his shot, he has effortless range and he gets his feet set quickly allowing him to get easy looks even when he’s being face guarded. He loves big game and late game situations too, and if he can just work on his handle and explosion he’ll be a no brainer high major prospect.
Josiah Freeman | 6’5” | Paul VI/Team Takeover 16U (#6 Overall)
Labeled by his coach as a professional scorer, Freeman is a knock down shooter with size who has developed a middle and inside game offensively. He moves well off the ball, but has room to grow as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He’s a solid athlete with a good frame, and projects well moving forward as a perimeter scorer.
Darrick Jones | 6’5” WF | Millwood School/Team Loaded VA (#8 Overall)
Jones looks the part from the moment he steps on the floor, especially when you see him effortlessly throw one down in warmups. The lefty wing has a good frame that should fill out well, and his ability to get out in transition or come downhill to throw one down in traffic. His shot looks good but his consistency needs a little work, and he has to work on breaking guys down off the bounce, but he has all of the physical and athletic tools to be a high level prospect with time.
Ikechi Chantilou | 6’2” | George Wythe/BWSL Dip (#9 Overall)
Talk about toughness, Chantilou played his best basketball late in the season as he led a young George Wythe team to the state semifinals as the sixth man. He has a scorer’s feel, filling it up from all three levels and being able to get his shots whether he’s on or off the ball. He’s long, active and plays with a high motor, and his competitive chip lets him excel in physical or highly hyped matchups.
Henry Coleman | 6’5” | Benedictine/Team Loaded VA (#11 Overall)
Coleman had a big freshman year for Benedictine, and his high level of production and efficiency has led him to multiple early offers including one ACC one from Virginia Tech. He attacks the glass hard, can play and guard multiple positions and he’s an athletic finisher in transition. He’s working on improving his jump shot, and sometimes in games he can settle too much for it, but when he’s using his motor on both ends he’s a big impact guy.
Marcus Banks | 6’0” | Lafayette/BWSL Dip (#14 Overall)
Banks started getting it going for Lafayette late in the season as he got used to the pace of play, and now that he’s with kids his own age he’s torching them all. He’s averaging just over 20 points per game so far this summer, and has done it on a winning team with a lot of talent on it. He has effortless range from deep, and he’s learning how to attack closeouts and get to the line after making a few. He creates space for himself off the bounce and can make tough shots, and if he’s able to show that he can possibly be a combo or point guard, which we think he can do, his stock will shoot up over time.