2023 Small Market Prospects to Watch
As mentioned before, the 2023 watch list is surprisingly full of players from smaller markets, showing a trend that has been developing over the past few years. While the major metropolitan areas of the 757, 804 and northern VA will…
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Continue ReadingAs mentioned before, the 2023 watch list is surprisingly full of players from smaller markets, showing a trend that has been developing over the past few years. While the major metropolitan areas of the 757, 804 and northern VA will always have more kids based on population, there are waves that the smaller markets go through of talent and it seems like there’s a lot of potential in this class to have some good players in smaller areas. Here’s a look at just a few of them to keep an eye on.
Brock Vice | 6’8” PF | Blacksburg
Vice has been on the radar at Big Shots events playing with Twin Hoops over the past few weekends and it’s becoming apparent that he may be the best long term prospect in the Roanoke/New River Valley area. The 6’8” big is still growing and is already a natural athlete that can run the floor and play in transition, he moves well block to block and demands the basketball and his size and high motor makes him a big impact in the paint and on the glass. He’s shown flashes of being able to step out and make shots from the midrange but it’s his motor and fluidity at his size and age that gives him the potential to be very special moving forward.
John St. Germain John St. Germain 6'2" | PG St. Anne's Belfield | 2023 State VA | 6’0” PG | STAB
St. Germain is one of the few guards that you see at this age and believe if he doesn’t grow an inch he could still play at the highest level moving forward. The 6’0” lead guard has so much poise and a great skill set at a young age, and he’s a guy who can run a team and make others better while also being a threat to score from multiple levels. He’s a strong and smart guard that changes speeds and directions well and his skill set is one that is enhanced when he’s playing with other talented players.
Carter Lang Carter Lang 6'9" | C St. Anne's Belfield | 2023 State #199 Nation VA | 6’9” C | STAB
Lang recently picked up his first offer from ODU and it will be far from his last one moving forward. The 6’9” big was one of the best freshmen in the state this past year and has been starting at STAB since he was an eighth grader. He has great touch in the paint and pursues the basketball on both ends, he has good feet and can run the floor and he plays with a high motor and is productive in a number of ways. He’s shown flashes of being able to step out and make shots and the more that he improves his range and consistency and brings that into his game the better he will be.
Kameron Roberts | 6’6” F | Halifax County
Roberts is a very intriguing prospect out of Halifax County near the Martinsville area, and it’s a school that has produced some talented guys in the past and Roberts looks like he may be the best one at this point in his career. He’s a hybrid forward with a body and strength to play in the paint, but he’s also skilled enough to make shots on the perimeter and create shots out of a couple of dribbles. He’s shown that he can play multiple positions, he hits the glass on both ends of the floor and as he continues to grow into his body he could be a tough guy to matchup with moving forward.
Isaiah Coleman Isaiah Coleman 6'5" | SF Word of God | 2023 State #59 Nation NC | 6’3” WF | Chancellor
Coleman is possibly the best long term prospect in Fredericksburg as he stepped in immediately at Chancellor and was a force to be reckoned with all season. A very versatile guy that plays all over the floor, he’s one that can pad the stat sheet as someone who can score it, rebound and make others better. He’s a guy who can handle the ball and start the offense, he can create shots using his size and skill set off the bounce and he can score it from multiple levels with ease.
Ryan Steger Ryan Steger 6'2" | SG James River (Buchanan) | 2023 State VA | 6’1” WG | James River (Buchanan)
Steger was one of the top shooters in the Roanoke area this past season and he’s going to score a lot of points in the coming years moving forward. The 6’1” guard has tremendous confidence in his ability to shoot it, he has good form from the feet up and he’s excellent at moving without the ball and getting his feet right off of screens to hit shots. He’s a guy with a great knack for scoring it and will only get better with time.
Eli McCoy Eli McCoy 6'5" | C Eastside | 2023 State VA | 6’5” PF | Eastside
Eastside may be in the sticks in the southwestern corner of VA, but they’ve been one of the most successful schools at their level and have produced some impressive bigs over the time. McCoy is a guy who started as a freshman and showed great potential with his motor, footwork and touch around the rim already. He needs to continue to grow and get his body right, but he’s got some tools to work with and has the luxury of a coach who has developed bigs in the past.
Kaiden Swortzel Kaiden Swortzel 6'5" | PF Floyd County | 2023 State VA | 6’3” PF | Floyd County
It’s hard to say what level Swortzel will be at when it’s all said and done, but when I watched him twice for Floyd this year he was extremely effective against some very good teams. He’s a guy who mixes a high motor with great intelligence and savvy around the rim, as he’s a crafty guy who has post moves and counters, keeps people off balance with fakes and finds a way to be productive and make winning plays on both ends. If he can continue to develop more on the perimeter with his jump shot and ball handling ability he could be a guy to surprise some people in a few years.