RVA Shooting Specialists (Part 2)
It’s no secret that shooting has and will continue to become more and more important in the game of basketball, and as the old adage goes “if you can shoot, you can play anywhere.” Well it’s becoming more and more…
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Continue ReadingIt’s no secret that shooting has and will continue to become more and more important in the game of basketball, and as the old adage goes “if you can shoot, you can play anywhere.” Well it’s becoming more and more evident that young players and trainers are putting more emphasis on shooting, and we have noticed. Here’s a look at part two of some of the top shooters in the Richmond area, in no particular order.
Jabari Atkinson | 6’2” G | Steward 2020
Atkinson showed a lot of promise early in his career but unfortunately was slowed by some injuries during his freshman and sophomore campaign. Last year he came off the bench for an emerging Steward team and showed that he’s the perfect guy to space the floor and make shots off the catch when he’s left alone. He has a good basketball IQ and stays shot ready, and he’s the guy who will make you pay if you forget him and focus on doubling their bigs.
Lorenzo Minter | 5’11” G | Meadowbrook 2020
Minter was a standout at Colonial Heights and transferred to Meadowbrook where he could surprise some people with his ability to make shots from all over. Now that he doesn’t have to handle the ball nearly as much, he’ll be able to work off of screens and get opportunities to make shots off the catch or off a couple dribbles, which he really excels at.
LJ Ellis | 6’4” WF | Hopewell 2021
We often preach that guys should know their roles and play within them, and that’s exactly what Ellis does and has done for the Blue Devils over the past few seasons. The 6’4” wing is the prototypical three-and-d guy who will guard the best player on the other team and take advantage of his opportunities as a catch-and-shoot guy. He has an odd release with somewhat of a side-spin but he shoots it at a pretty good clip and with his size he’s able to rebound well on both ends too.
Mac McDonald | 6’3” WG | Collegiate 2021
McDonald had a terrific summer with Team Richmond Garner Road and at multiple camps, and with the departure of last year’s lead Robbie Beran to Northwestern he’s going to be the go-to guy this season. He looks ready, as he showed he’s a consistent shotmaker who not only can hit contested shots off the catch but is underrated as a guy who can create shots off the bounce as well. It doesn’t take much for him to get hot and with a young group he’ll have the green light for sure this season.
Zach Rosenthal | 5’11” WG | Steward School 2021
The Steward School junior has been a starter for the emerging team over the past two seasons and will play an important role for their very talented team this year. He’s their three-and-d guy and while he isn’t the biggest or most athletic guy he’s very smart and crafty on both ends which allows him to get open and make shots by playing off their other guys including five star big man Efton Reid. He’s a knock down spot up shooter who makes the right play and doesn’t need many shots to hurt you.
Deshawn Goodwyn | 6’2” WG | George Wythe 2022
Goodwyn is a guy to keep an eye on in the Pride of the Southside as he had a monster freshman year shooting the rock. It seems like he’s growing by the minute as he’s shot up about six inches over the past few years, he has a ton of confidence in his shot and he never stops moving without the ball as he works to get open. He has a quick release off the catch and in the gym range with ease, making him very hard to guard even when you game plan for him.
Curtis Allen | 6’2” WG | Prince George 2022
Another under the radar rising sophomore who could blow up this year, Allen is built like football player with a broad frame and good strength, but he excels on the court with his soft touch from deep. He’s a guy that’s tough to chase around because he can bump you off to create space, he gets hot quickly from deep and once he gets his body right and improves his finishing ability he’ll be a guy that could potentially blow up moving forward.
Donovan Means | 5’9” G | LC Bird 2022
The Skyhawks had a kid in their 2016 class named CJ Miles who lit up Richmond for years before heading to Roanoke College where he scored over 1,000 points in the ODAC, and Means looks like a carbon copy of him early in his career. While he isn’t the biggest guy he has in the gym range off the catch, he never stops moving without the ball and he’s a guy who can be a secondary ball handler against pressure as well.