Bouncy Guards/Wings: Central/Western VA Edition (Part 2)
As we continue to look at some lists of the best in the state, we head over to central and western VA to look at some off the most athletic guards and wings in the smaller markets. While this area…
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Continue ReadingAs we continue to look at some lists of the best in the state, we head over to central and western VA to look at some off the most athletic guards and wings in the smaller markets. While this area doesn’t have the major metropolitans of other areas, it’s a vast area covering the 434, 540 and 276 area codes that include some of the top prep schools, boarding schools and also have some talented public schools as well. With such a large area, we have broken it up into three parts. Here’s a look at part two featuring 7 guys from across that area that will put defenders on a poster easily.
Dean Lockley | 6’1” G | Tandem Friends 2020
The Tandem Friends point guard made my list of underrated senior guards because of his improvement to his all-around game over the past few years, but one thing he’s always had is natural athleticism. The 6’1” guard has a quick first step, can gather off of one or two and just seems to get to the rim easily and before most people can. Whether it’s getting a dunk in transition, catching a lob or skying for a rebound, he just seems to continue to go up higher than you think he can.
Derrick Jones Jr. | 6’4” WF | Blue Ridge 2021
It must be something about the name because it seems like every Derrick Jones I know (or whatever variation of the first name) has some unbelievable bounce. The Albemarle transfer who reclassified this past year at Blue Ridge wasted no time showing those ups and catching coaches attention with his tools to be a 3 and d guy at the next level. He looks the part with long limbs and a while he’s wiry, he gets great explosion off of one or two feet and he can simply keep going to the next level that even the best of athletes can’t get to.
Annour Mellouk | 6’7” F | FUMA 2021
When we talk about next level potential that hit me in the face since 2020 started, when I watched Fork Union’s post grad team play I was blown away to find out that Mellouk was the only 2021 prospect on the roster. A native of the Netherlands, Mellouk looks like he’s built to play basketball and his ceiling with his frame and athleticism is very high. He plays with a high motor, he’s able to shoot threes and his athleticism allows him to block shots and finish plays above the rim against some very high level athletes.
Zion Russell | 6’0” G | Hargrave 2021
A transfer from Georgetown Prep in Maryland who came midseason, Russell is known as a guy who can both shoot it from deep and play way above the rim with his crazy athleticism. He’s only about 6’0” but that doesn’t stop him from catching lobs in transition, coming for put backs when he isn’t boxed out or just getting way above the rim off of steals. He’s a two footed leaper with good strength and balance and when he takes off it looks like he has springs in his feet.
Donovan St. Juste | 6’3” WG | William Fleming 2021
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St. Juste has continued to improve and show that he’s one of the next up guys in the Roanoke area, and he’s by far one of the most explosive athletes for sure. When I watched them earlier this year, one of the first plays of the game he went backdoor and went off two feet to catch and alley-oop with his chest above the rim. He makes it look so effortless when he takes off as he goes from a gather to exploding way above the rim in what seems like a nice little skip.
Ethan English | 6’2” WG | Salem 2021
English is another 2021 in the Roanoke area that impressed me around Christmas with his explosive leaping ability and natural athleticism. He has a good build and is strong when going through the lane, he isn’t afraid to take off in traffic and if he’s got a chance to dunk it he’s going to try to. He also plays with a good motor which allows his athleticism to be an impact on both ends of the floor.
Jayson Fain | 6’4” F | Carlisle 2021
I wouldn’t describe Fain as a super explosive athlete or as a true wing, but he’s a skilled and smooth athlete that’s a hybrid forward who can play off the bounce. The lefty is a guy who can get a step on you off the bounce and get downhill where he’ll throw it down in traffic and make it looks easy when he does it. His blend of size, skill and athleticism makes him an intriguing under the radar prospect going into this summer.