Top Rebounding Guards in VA
Rebounding is typically something that we talk about and make an emphasis on for big men and wings, however having a guard that isn’t afraid to mix it up and rebound among the trees is always something a team could…
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Continue ReadingRebounding is typically something that we talk about and make an emphasis on for big men and wings, however having a guard that isn’t afraid to mix it up and rebound among the trees is always something a team could use. Here’s a look at 8 guards from across the state who hit the glass with the best of them.
Mike Gray Mike Gray 6'0" | CG Blue Ridge | 2021 State VA | 6’1” | Blue Ridge 2021
Gray isn’t the biggest or most athletic guard on this list but every time I watch him play I’m thoroughly impressed with his ability to bang in the paint and rebound with the big men. He’s a guy who has a knack for the ball and is always in great position, and once he grabs a rebound he’s able to start the break himself. He’s a guy who routinely out rebounds the bigs on his own team and shows great toughness in doing so.
Allen Strothers Allen Strothers 6'2" | PG Menchville | 2021 State VA | 6’2” | Menchville 2021
Strothers is one of the longest point guards in the state with a wingspan of 6’9” and he’s a guy who has good springs as well. He uses that athleticism and length on both ends of the floor to help rebound, and he can do so to start the break or he can crash offensively for put backs and tip ins. He brings great energy to his team with his ability to play above the rim.
Jaylani Darden Jaylani Darden 6'3" | CG Norview | 2021 State VA | 6’4” | Norview 2021
Darden is one of the top stat sheet stuffers in the entire state as he’s a guy who flirts with a triple double on almost a daily basis. He’s a utility guard that can play on or off the basketball and he guards multiple positions, but he’s never a guy to leak out as he comes back to help rebound and start the break hisself. Being one of the tallest guys on his team this year means he had to rebound well, but it’s something he does all the time no matter what team he’s on.
Isaiah Folkes Isaiah Folkes 6'1" | PG Middleburg | 2021 PA | 6’1” | Middleburg 2021
Folkes is probably the most explosive guy on this list, and he uses his insane leaping ability to get above the rim for put back and he can sky above other guys and rebound the ball as well. He’s a very strong kid who is able to battle in the paint with guys much bigger than him, and he’s a quick leaper who’s able to rebound his own misses on the offensive end.
Kenard Richardson Kenard Richardson 6'3" | SG Life Christian | 2021 State VA | 6’3” | Life Christian 2021
Richardson is a guy who just recently started playing on the ball more, so throughout his career he’s been a big and physical wing that can hit the glass on both ends of the floor. He plays with great toughness and can isn’t afraid to get physical, and when he rebounds in traffic you aren’t going to take the ball from him. It’s a nice bonus the way he rebounds because he already does a lot on both ends of the floor.
Jonas Sanker Jonas Sanker 6'2" | CG Covenant | 2021 State VA | 6’3” | Covenant School 2021
Sanker was the do-it-all star for a Covenant team that made it to the state semifinals for the first time in God knows how long, and the athletic guard was terrific on the glass for them. He’s big, strong and a dynamic leaper which allows him to get in the paint and rebound on both ends of the floor, and he’s able to follow misses and leap over other guys for rebounds.
Amari Gray Amari Gray 6'2" | CG Life Christian Academy | 2023 State VA | 6’0” | LC Bird 2022
Gray may not be as well known as some of the other guards in the class but one thing he does as well as anyone is rebound the basketball. He’s a stocky guard with a strong base and good upper body, and he’s very fundamental when it comes to boxing out bigs and using his body to get in position to corral rebounds. He plays with a good motor and his able to bully his way into rebounding the ball.
Ihsan Duncan Ihsan Duncan 6'3" | CG Hampton | 2022 State VA | 6’3” | Hampton 2022
Duncan is a do it all guard with a good frame and strength, and he’s a guy who is always in position around the basket on the defensive end. He crashes hard on both ends, he pursues the basketball with purpose and because he’s a primary ball handler he’s able to start the break by rebounding on the defensive end.
Dennis Parker Jr. | 6’6” | John Marshall 2023
Parker is arguably the best freshman in the state and one of the top in the country, and his physical and athletic tools make him able to impact the game in a number of ways. One of those is on the glass, and despite having a 6’10” big who averaged 12 boards a game Parker himself was able to crash regularly and use the fact the defense was focused on Wheeler to grab rebounds as well.