Updated 2018 Rankings: Central/Western VA Bigs
As we continue to breakdown our prospect rankings, we take a look at the bigs who play high school basketball in the central and western parts of Virginia.
Florent Thamba | 6’9” | Mount Mission (#10 Overall)
The Baylor commit steadily improved in his three seasons with Mount Mission, and he exploded onto the recruitment scene late in the summer. He has an impressive frame, is a good rim protector with great timing, and he’s developed a solid arsenal with his back to the basket. Baylor got him late in the recruiting cycle, but he’s definitely a guy that can make an impact for four years there.
Jarvis Vaughan | 6’7” | Robert E. Lee (#46 Overall)
The ODU commit burst onto the scene with a huge 30 point performance in the state championship his junior year, yet he remained under the radar because he didn’t play with a big AAU team. Still, he’s produced consistently in high school. He has a great skill set from 18 and in, he has good feet and hands and is a strong kid already that will improve with a college weight program.
Daniel Ouderkirk | 6’9” | Spotswood (#72 Overall)
He’s committed to West Virginia for baseball, but he definitely would have been a scholarship level player in basketball as well. He’s extremely long, gets up and down the floor well and has a soft touch in the lane with both hands. He was so talented in basketball despite it being his second sport, one can only imagine how good he would have been if he focused on just that.
Josh Whelan | 6’8” | Fort Defiance (#87 Overall)
The West Virginia Tech commit flew under the radar because he played in a smaller market, but Whelan can play. A foot injury sidelined him for his senior year, but he showed last year and over the summer he has good hands and feet, has a high motor on both ends and that he moves well for his size both in the post and in transition.
Gus Wise | 6’6” | Handley (#101 Overall)
A Washington & Lee commit, Wise has had a great career for Handley, and capped it off by being named 1st Team All Region this year. He’s a skinny but long forward that causes mismatches with his ability to stretch the floor. He’s the perfect trail big and fits a four out system well, and he’s also money from the line where he can ice it for you.
James Nworah | 6’5” | North Cross (#113 Overall)
There may be better players, but I doubt there’s a more relentless kid on this list than Nworah. At 6’5”, he has broad shoulder and good strength and he’ll use that in the post, but he’s also quick off his feet and keeps plays alive with his relentless motor on both ends. He’s one of the top rebounders in the state, and he’s only been playing basketball for a few years.
Ramon Hampton | 6’4” | William Fleming (#121 Overall)
Hampton’s upside is high because he’s long, athletic and he plays end to end like a wing. He can run and finish in transition, he has a decent stroke out to 18 feet and he plays with a really high motor on both ends. If he can continue to develop he could be a steal for a small school.
Keenan Austin | 6’5” | Heritage-Lynchburg (#129 Overall)
He’s stuck in between positions, but Austin’s athleticism and length make him a factor every time he’s on the floor. He runs the floor like a deer, finishes above the rim and can rebound and protect the rim on the defensive end. He has a ton of potential that’s just waiting to be unlocked moving forward.