Bouncy Guards/Wings: 804 Edition (Part 1)
As we continue to look at some lists of the best in the state, we look at where I live in the Richmond area. With so many athletes in the area we can’t do it all in one article, so…
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Continue ReadingAs we continue to look at some lists of the best in the state, we look at where I live in the Richmond area. With so many athletes in the area we can’t do it all in one article, so we take a look at part one featuring 7 kids who will put you on a poster.
Elijah Seward | 6’0” G | John Marshall 2020
Seward is one of the smallest guys on this list but that doesn’t stop him from making plays that will make you jump out of your seats. He’s a guy who gets a lot of his points with his smooth jumper but he’s also a guy that will throw down a vicious windmill in transition or sky over a 6’5” guy to grab a tough rebound in traffic. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a favorite in the 804 All-Star game dunk contest this year.
Zy’Ever Wingfield | 6’3” WF | Henrico 2020
Wingfield made our list of top perimeter defenders as well with his length and athleticism, and he’s a guy who has had quite a few posters on the offensive end as well. He jumps a lot of passing lanes that allow him to get in transition where he can finish way above the rim, but he’s also a guy who will go threw someone or crash the offensive glass for a put back. The fact that he also uses it on the defensive end is something to like as well.
James Wallace | 6’4” WF | Henrico 2020
Winfield’s teammate James Wallace isn’t one to scoff about either, and a dunk contest between these two would be something fun to watch. While Wingfield is probably a little bit more explosive, Wallace is a smooth athlete who can throw down something big time and make it look like it was extremely easy. He’s also a guy who will help his bigs out by using his athleticism to rebound on both ends as well.
Nigel Green | 6’3” WF | St. Chris 2020
When it comes to trying to dunk on people I’m not sure there’s someone who tries as much as Green does. A standout on the football field which shows his athleticism, in a game earlier this year I watched Green throw down three dunks in traffic with body contact. He’s got a quick gather and can go off of one or two feet, and when he’s got a head of steam heading toward the rim he doesn’t care who he has to go through.
Kaleb Coleman | 6’2” G | Hopewell 2020
This is Coleman’s first year at Hopewell after spending the last three at Matoaca, and while his uniform has changed his elite athleticism has not. He’s a guy who can blow by and explode off the bounce when he’s around the rim, and whether he hangs and lays it in or whether he throws it down is just a matter of opportunity. He’s a strong kid that can take contact as well, so challenging him at the rim is at your own risk.
Dana Woodley | 6’4” WG/WF | John Marshall 2021
When you watch a kid grow up, there’s a point where you go “well, now he’s grown into his body.” In his two years at Lee-Davis, Woodley was a guy who made plenty of athletic plays that would intrigue you, but this year at John Marshall he has sprouted, filled out and looks like a totally different caliber of athlete. In warmups he will do some stuff that will make you pull out your cellphone, and he isn’t bashful as if he sees the opportunity to put on a show in game he’s going to do that as well.
Ikechi Chantilou | 6’3” WF | Life Christian 2021
There’s different ways to describe an athletic guard, and with Chantilou it’s really his hang time that separates him from other wings. He’s a long and smooth wing that can change speeds and attack the rim, and once he takes off it seems like he’s floating as he will either find contact or just keep floating his way to the rim for a dunk. Since he started playing high school, I have seen quite a few plays that Chantilou will do that other athletic guys simply can’t do.