Prospect Spotlight: Bryce Waterman (2019)
Virginia Episcopal School has been one of the premier destinations for out of state hoopers to come to in the past few years. Sacha Killeya-Jones (Kentucky), Justice Kithcart (ODU) and Jaelin Llewellyn (Princeton commit) all came from outside of the state, and that trend continues with their newest addition in junior shooting guard Bryce Waterman.
Hailing from upstate New York, the 6’4” off guard made his way to Lynchburg through some basketball connections he’s had for a long time.
“I went to a public school in upstate NY named Colonie where I played varsity from my freshman year until last year,” Waterman said. “I transferred to VES because my old coach from middle school is now the assistant coach at VES and he’s been good friends with my Dad and they stayed in touch ever since he came down.”
Waterman’s had a good start to the season, providing another knock down shooter from Llewellyn to make plays for. He has a pure stroke with great form that’s consistent every time, and his size allows him to take and make contested shots as well. He’s a high level shooter and a great floor spacer, but he knows that he’ll have to work on more to get ready for the next level, and says that VES has been great so far in helping him with that.
“I know that I have to work on my quickness, athleticism and my body and being here at VES we worked out twice a day in the preseason with lifting and conditioning and that alone has made a huge difference for me so far,” he said.
Waterman, who played for the NY Jayhawks on the Adidas Gauntlet, said he was seeing some interest from local schools in the Northeast including Albany, Vermont, Siena and New Hampshire, but hasn’t heard much from them since he moved down here. He hopes that playing with great players and for a high level program will help him with exposure moving forward.
“The exposure down here is different,” he said about helping his recruitment. “Playing with all these great guys, Coach [Curtis] Staples being who he is and knowing who he knows will hopefully bring some attention to me.”
As for what he thinks he can bring to a team, he has the skill set and the work ethic to make it happen at the next level when the time comes.
“I think I can be a guy who knocks down shots, someone with a high Iq and someone that will always work hard. I won’t complain, I know my strengths on the court and I’m willing to accept whatever role is given to me.”
A division one caliber shooter, Waterman should see his stock increase if he continues to work hard and be a center piece on a talented VES team that should compete in a talented VISAA Division Two classification this year.