2019 Rankings Updates: NOVA Wings (Part 1)
We’re heading into the senior season of the 2019 class, one that we at Prep Hoops VA have had the pleasure of watching grow from when they were just freshmen. This class has seen new players come in, some players leave for programs outside of the state, and have seen some massive changes over the years. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in July and August, and come time for the new season to start we’re sure there will be even more changes coming.
Over the next few weeks we will be breaking down the rankings by positions and locations. With that being said, here’s a look at part one the wings in the Northern VA area that we ranked in the 2019 rankings.
*Editors Note: These breakdowns are based on where the players play high school basketball at.
Jared White | 6’5” WF | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes (#30 Overall)
Long and athletic with a solid skill set, White continues to improve and is well under the radar for how good he has become over the past few years. He has great size on the wing, and he knows how to use his length to bother others defensively. He’s a guy who can shoot it when open off the catch from deep, he can create his own shot in isolation situations and he gets downhill to finish at the rim in transition. He’s a high academic kid as well, so schools looking for an all around wing with good grades should definitely take a look at him this spring.
Asa Shannon | 6’5” WF | Episcopal/New World (#33 Overall)
Shannon has come a long way after being on JV as a sophomore at Episcopal. He’s an athletic and high motor wing that can finish in transition, rebounds on both ends and can defend multiple positions. He has a competitive spirit about him that you have to love, he’s a gym rat when no one is looking and the way he has improved his perimeter skill set bolds well for him at the next level because he’s likely going to continue to improve. He recently picked up an offer from Radford University, and he’ll be a guy to keep on radars moving forward.
Alex Fitch | 6’4” WG | Rock Ridge/Higher Level (#35 Overall)
One of the top shooters in the state, Fitch broke his school’s single season scoring record in his first year after moving there and that has a lot to do with his ability to make shots from long range. He has a high release and follow through, allowing him to use his 6’4″ frame to shoot over others, and his consistent form allows him to make contested shots regularly. He doesn’t get credit for being able to create shots as well as he can, as he can attack closeouts and is a pretty good ball handler in transition. With his good size and consistency from behind the arc, it’s hard to imagine why he hasn’t got more interest from scholarship level schools.
Christian Turner | 6’5” WF | Flint Hill/DC Blue Kids (#69 Overall)
An energy guy on both ends of the floor, Turner is a guy who prides himself on the defensive end as well as the offensive end. He makes plays by jumping passing lanes and getting after it defensively, and with his size he can guard multiple positions. He’s improving his shooting, but he’s already able to use his size to finish around the basket in traffic. Whether or not he’s shooting the basketball well, Turner is a guy you have to have on the floor because he’s always making a positive impact in some way, shape or form.
Jack Prophett | 6’2” WG | Bishop O’Connell/Pro Look (#72 Overall)
Prophett steadily improved and worked his way into more playing time throughout the year for Bishop O’Connell who finished as a top three team in the WCAC. At 6’2”, he brought decent size off the bench, he has a terrific feel and understanding of the game and he can make shots from deep when he’s open. His mix of work ethic, high IQ and skill set is great, but the fact that he is a great communicator and teammate and will give everything he has to help his team makes him someone you love to have on your team.
Chris Warner | 6’2” WG | Wakefield/Pro Look (#77 Overall)
Warner stepped up and had a big junior season for Wakefield at the two guard spot. He’s a high level shooter who is consistent from outside and can stretch the defense while not forcing bad shots. He’s also a good secondary ball handler who can push in transition and attack closeouts and finish in the lane. His ability to stretch the defense and attack closeouts makes him perfect off the basketball, and he has a high IQ on both ends of the floor so he isn’t a liability in any particular area when he’s on the court.