Vantage 2019 Updated Rankings Breakdown: Wings (Part 2)
We’ve now had two years of high school and AAU basketball to break down the 2019 class, and things look much different then our first rankings of them two years ago. While rankings are always subject to change, especially with the reclass and transfer rate as it is, almost all of the players have improved whether they dropped or rose in our rankings.
When taking rankings into consideration, the Vantage Hoops team spends about a month contacting coaches and experts across the state to compile the list. There were over 250 kids we considered for the top 100, and the rankings reflect the next level potential of the prospects. Things taken into consideration include upside, high school production, head-to-head matchups, skill set on both sides of the ball and include intangibles such such as how recruitable a kid is based on grades, attitude and how coachable they are.
We will spend the next few weeks breaking down our new rankings from 2018 through 2020. Here’s a look at part two of our 2019 wings prospects. Enjoy, and stay tuned for more breakdowns moving forward!
Gibson Jimerson | 6’5” | St. Chris/DC Blue Devils 17U (#21 Overall)
Jimmerson was the big breakout on this list over the summer, picking up offers from Cincinnati and Kansas State while playing on the Under Armour Circuit. The 6’5” wing has changed his body completely, dropping the baby fat that had plagued him and his game has come along with it. He’s a dead eye shooter from all over the floor, and now he’s able to get that shot off in so many different ways. He can put it on the floor, post you up and shoot over smaller wings and he can come off of pin downs and other screens to showcase that quick release off the catch. He’s transferring from Benedictine to St. Chris this season, where he’ll get an opportunity to be the go-to scorer for the Saints who lose their guys Alex Petrie and Ameer Bennett from last year.
DeArvae Heard | 6’3” | Miller School/BWSL (#22 Overall)
Heard has a different kind of feel to his game, but he’s effective in a number of different ways which should translate well to the next level. He isn’t super athletic but he’s an above average athlete who knows how to get to his spots and get his shots off. He’s a strong kid, works well off of a couple of dribbles and is most dangerous in either transition or in the midrange game. He has sort of an old man feel to his game, as one college coach described it, with a litany of fakes, spins and the ability to get his shot off in ways you wouldn’t expect him to.
Jared White | 6’6” | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes/Team Durant (#26 Overall)
White’s potential as a skilled wing that can shoot it bolds well at the next level, and if he continues to improve over time with his production level it won’t be long until college coaches start to take notice. At 6’6”, he has great length that allows him to rebound well for a wing, bother ball handlers and shooters and allows him to get his shot off quickly. He has good footwork, can finish at all three levels and he has good range off the catch. He showed flashes last season, including a 21 point game against Episcopal and a 15 point game against Bullis, two very good teams. If he can become more consistent of a threat he’ll really boost his stock moving forward.
Robbie Beran | 6’6” | Collegiate/Team Richmond Garner Road 17U (#28 Overall)
Beran reclassified over the summer from the 2018 class and has seen his stock soar since then. He had one scholarship offer from Mount St. Mary’s, but since reclassifying he picked up offers from Lafayette, JMU, Marshall, VMI and D2 Millersville. A lights out shooter from deep, Beran has the height to play both in the post and he has the footwork to play out on the perimeter, and with another year that he’ll be able to hit the weight room he should see significant improvements in his body. He needs to work on putting it on the floor to help his offensive game, but as of right now his ability as a three and d and rebound guy at the next level is extremely intriguing.
Alex Fitch | 6’3” | Rock Ridge/DC Blue Devils (#31 Overall)
Another lights out shooter from deep, Fitch is set to explode onto the recruitment scene this season. Originally from Roanoke, Fitch played his first two high school seasons at William Byrd, but his parents got a job in Loudoun County and he transferred to Rock Ridge High School toward the end of the school year and wasted no time making a name for himself. He showed out in summer league action, routinely lighting teams up for 20-30 points and showing his deep range and quick trigger. He’s long and agile, allowing him to get his shot off even when contested and making him a good perimeter defender as well. Expect to hear a lot from Fitch in the Loudoun area as a breakout junior candidate.
Jamon Battle | 6’3” | LC Bird/Dreamchasers (#34 Overall)
Another kid who could see a lot of improvement from a change in schools, Battle has already picked up a division two offer from Lees-McRae and he hasn’t even stepped off of the football field at Bird yet. A naturally gifted athlete who plays above the rim and can make shots from all over the floor, Battle still has so much room to improve, and if there’s one thing that players at LC Bird do it’s improve in all facets. He has a great build for a wing, gets up and down the floor well, has good form in catch-and-shoot and can finish through traffic, coaches will always be intrigued by his athleticism and with improvements he’ll be a no brainer division one guy.