Top Ball Handlers in the 434/540
We continue to find ways to highlight players for what they do during this time of no games, and we continue our lists of top guys in different aspects of the game. Today, we take a look at some of…
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Continue ReadingWe continue to find ways to highlight players for what they do during this time of no games, and we continue our lists of top guys in different aspects of the game. Today, we take a look at some of the best ball handlers in the 434/540 area. These aren’t rankings in any way, but instead a simple list of some, not all, of the best handles in the Central and Western parts of VA.
Mike Gray Mike Gray 6'0" | CG Blue Ridge | 2021 State VA | 6’1” PG | Blue Ridge 2021
Gray is one of the most under recruited PG prospects on the east coast, and what’s best about him is his ability to create and make shots off the bounce from all over the floor. His handle is a little loose but he keeps it on a string and that allows him to get guys going one way or get them to reach, and he’s able to pull it back and blow by or create space for him to pull-up. He’s wired to go and if you choose to guard him one-on-one he’s almost always going to get his.
Quadir Pettaway Quadir Pettaway 6'0" | PG Woodside | 2021 State VA | 6’0” PG | Miller School 2021
Pettaway isn’t a super flashy ball handler, but he’s able to get to his spots and make shots from all over off the bounce no matter who is guarding him. He’s another scoring point guard that can create space or get to the rim off the bounce, he can attack going both ways and he’s able to create space on snatch backs and counters as well. He’s a guy who you can’t let get started or he’ll fill it up in bunches, but with his ability to score in isolation situations it’s easier said than done.
Ricky Goode-Wright Ricky Goode-Wright 5'10" | PG James Monroe | 2021 State VA | 5’10” PG | James Monroe 2021
Goode-Wright is one of the top scorers in Fredericksburg as he’s already broke the James Monroe scoring record and eclipsed the 1,000 point mark for his career. What’s even more impressive is that he does so at the point guard position with the ball in his hands, and his smooth handle and ability to get where he wants on the court is extremely impressive. He can get guys going one way and bring it back the other way, he changes speeds well and everything seems so natural to him with the ball in his hands.
Jamonte Smith Jamonte Smith 6'0" | CG Patrick Henry (Roanoke) | 2021 State VA | 5’11” G | Patrick Henry (Roanoke) 2021
Smith has been one of the top scoring guards in Roanoke over the past few years, and was a big reason Patrick Henry made a run to the state semifinals this year. He’s an on ball scorer who isn’t super flashy but he knows how to get to his spots, he’s able to create in isolation situations and he can make tough shots from all over the floor. He never seems to get rattled and will take a one-on-one challenge any day.
Logan Barbour Logan Barbour 6'2" | PG William Monroe | 2021 State VA | 6’2” PG | William Monroe 2021
Barbour isn’t the most well known guy as he plays at a small school in the mountains outside of Charlottesville, but he has consistently been a top player who brings it against the best of the best. He’s a guy who’s always in control, he can use his size and shiftiness to get to spots and he handles pressure extremely well. He isn’t super flashy but he rarely turns the ball over and he can make plays for himself or others.
Quentin Slash | 5’7” PG | Northside 2021
Slash is a throwback style PG who is a pass-first guy who sets the tone on both ends of the floor. He isn’t the biggest guy but he’s what I call “slippery,” as in you think you have him all bottled up and he slips through a trap or is able to wiggle his way in the lane to make plays. He stays low, he can pat it going both ways and he’s a guy who changes directions and speeds well.
Aiden Proudfoot | 5’9” PG | Christiansburg 2021
Proudfoot is a guy that most outside of the Roanoke/NRV area may not know about, but the kid has some sauce to him you have to love. He’s a tough nosed lead guard who can really pat it as he has an ankle-breaking crossover and great footwork with his handle. He can break down guys in the half court and in transition, and he’s able to take over a game as well.
Ethan Millirons Ethan Millirons 6'0" | PG Auburn | 2022 State VA | 6’0” PG | Auburn 2022
Millirons was named the Class 1 POY after leading Auburn to a state championship, and he’s about as fundamentally sound of a lead guard that you’ll come across. He can handle and pass with both hands, he can break guys down off the bounce and he’s able to create space and get into his shot very seamlessly. He makes great decisions in the pick-and-roll and has great moves and counters in isolation situations.
TJ Calloway TJ Calloway 5'7" | PG Richmond Christian School | 2022 VA | 5’5” PG | Holy Cross 2022
Calloway isn’t the biggest guy and is usually the smallest guy on the floor, but he’s highly skilled and can get to his spots easily. He stays low with the ball and he’s surprisingly shifty off the bounce, he has good footwork and he’s able to create space to get his shot off. He isn’t very intimidating physically but if you underestimate him he could embarrass you with his handle.
John St. Germain | 6’0” PG | STAB 2023
St. Germain is considered by many as one of the top point guards in the 2023 class as he’s already played big time high school basketball for the past two seasons. He’s a guy who’s very strong with the ball in his hands and doesn’t get it took from him often, he changes speeds and changes directions extremely well that allows him to keep defenders off balance and he can attack going either way. He’s highly skilled and has an IQ that’s well beyond his years.
Robbie Matos | 5’8” PG | VES 2023
Matos had his ups and downs as a freshman at VES but that’s what you’d expect from a young guard in the talented VIC. One thing Matos has is natural athleticism and blazing speed, and the ability to keep the ball on a string and create for himself and others in isolation and pick-and-roll situations. He has great burst that allows him to get by people, he can change speeds and change directions and he can keep guys off balance with his tight handle.