Bruce’s Best: JV to Varsity
One of the best things about the Spring is the opportunity to watch players grow and develop. Years ago, JV was used as a varsity feeder system, where players could improve their skills while getting valuable game minutes. Absent of…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOne of the best things about the Spring is the opportunity to watch players grow and develop. Years ago, JV was used as a varsity feeder system, where players could improve their skills while getting valuable game minutes. Absent of a grassroots spring season, the best indicator of next season’s breakout stars is this season JV standouts. In this article, PH takes a look at some JV standouts poised for breakout 2020 – 2021 seasons. Note: This list also includes players that played on the freshman teams last season as well
Jacques Williams JR 6’0 PG Arbor View (#40PHN 2022) – All the way back to last fall, when I went in to visit with Arbor View and Coach Clayton, they raved about their JV team. I typically tune out JV talk during the regular season, however they were really high on their squad, and Williams in particular. They then went out and put together a dominant JV season including winning the Legacy JV tournament. I like Williams’s situation, the Aggies will be losing 9 seniors from their 10-2 Northwest League team, and he was one of the key standouts on the JV squad. Skillset grades out good across the board, the question will be can he translate it into wins on the Varsity level?
Keenan Bey Keenan Bey 6'6" | SF Bishop Gorman | 2023 State NV 6’5 SF Bishop Gorman (#7PHN 2023) – If any player is equipped to handle basketball pressure it should be Keenan Bey Keenan Bey 6'6" | SF Bishop Gorman | 2023 State NV , however as one of the players told me this season, “it’s not so much pressure as it is a standard”. Bey has the tools to live up to that standard. He’s 6’5, has a long lean frame, and can put the ball on the floor to make plays. Too early to tell exactly what his role will be next year, however, Gorman lacked depth at times last season and will be losing 3 key seniors, so it would be difficult to see how a more polished version of Bey wouldn’t fit into the rotation.
Giali Chapman 6’0 PG Centennial – I’m so disappointed that I won’t be watching Champman this Spring. The freshman guard was beginning to come into his own late in the year. He and Elijah Burney Elijah Burney 6'1" | PG Centennial | 2023 State NV formed one of the most dynamic freshmen backcourts in the state. Centennial actually has a lot of backcourt talent, so it is unclear if Chapman will play, the Spring season would have allowed me to learn more. Good shooter, that can play both backcourt spots effectively. During the Spring he plays with one of the top PG prospects in the class of 2024 Alijah Adem, and he transitions seamlessly on and off the ball.
Elijah Burney Elijah Burney 6'1" | PG Centennial | 2023 State NV 5’9 PG Centennial (#16PHN 2023) (featured image) – Burney is starting to look to me like the kind of player that has that “it” factor. Plays confident without swagger. Saw him hit a game-winner this season, and lead his team to the Legacy Freshman Tournament Title. Pure pg with the ability to control the game with his handle and shooting. It’s a numbers crunch situation with him much like Chapman, but I just don’t see how they keep him off the floor next season.
Ephram Ezidegwu 6’5 PF Bonanza 2023 – There is perhaps no coach I respect more in this state than Coach Soares at Bonanza. Ezidegwu is a raw specimen, however, if anyone can get him right, it will be Soares. Great frame, good feet. If he can stretch out his game, and improve his athletic ability just a bit more, people in the Northwest are going to have a problem on their hands.