Possible Spring Stockrisers: 2022 Wings
With the AAU season ready to get underway and many kids not getting much attention due to Covid 19 over the past calendar year, we will take a look at some of the possible stock risers in VA as we…
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Continue ReadingWith the AAU season ready to get underway and many kids not getting much attention due to Covid 19 over the past calendar year, we will take a look at some of the possible stock risers in VA as we head into the spring. We start by taking a look at some of the rising senior wings I expect to receive college attention here soon.
Alphonzo Billups Alphonzo Billups 6'7" | SF Varina | 2022 State #154 Nation VA | 6’6” | Varina/Team Loaded VA
Billups came onto the recruitment scene last summer after tape from his sophomore season at Varina got out, and he’s now starting to see another boost in recruitment after the CBG ECE 24 as he’s recently picked up offers from Pittsburgh and Oklahoma State, all before the AAU season has started. The 6’7” wing looks like he’s turning the corner, as he looked much more aggressive in the camp to score the ball and he’s a guy who’s capable of playing on or off the basketball and make plays for others as well as himself. He can score from multiple levels and has huge upside defensively as he continues to fill out, and he’s already set up to have a lot of schools get on him once the NCAA Tournament is over.
Tyler Nickel Tyler Nickel 6'8" | SF East Rockingham | 2022 State #85 Nation VA | 6’7” | East Rockingham/Team Loaded VA
Nickel is already a highly recruited guy with multiple high major offers, but he’s a guy who also missed a big recruitment opportunity last year with him not being able to play AAU ball and the fact that he plays in a small market. The 6’7” wing will be one of the go-to guys on a very talented Loaded team, and his versatility will make him one of the hardest guys to guard on the floor. His blend of athleticism, skill set and scoring ability allows him to fit in a lot of different systems, and I believe once he gets seen by more schools and scouts he should solidify himself in the top 100 conversation and be able to pick his school from a lot of places across the country.
Jaden Daughtry Jaden Daughtry 6'6" | SF Benedictine College Prep | 2022 VA | 6’5” | LC Bird/BWSL Marsh
Daughtry is coming off of a season where he was the Class 5 Region B Player of the Year, and he holds double digit offers already from a number of schools up and down the east coast and in the midwest as well. He’s a big wing that can play and guard the 2-4, he plays with a terrific motor and is a good athlete and when he’s able to get up and down in transition and get downhill toward the basket he’s very tough to stop as he can use his strength to finish through contact regularly. He should continue to see the mid major offers roll in here now and should have some high majors talking with him here soon.
James Patterson James Patterson 6'5" | SG Carmel School | 2022 State VA | 6’4” | Carmel School/Team Richmond
Patterson is still without a division one offer, but Team Richmond always has a senior that blows up early in the AAU season and this year Patterson seems to be the one that will do it. He’s big and athletic and plays with a good motor on both ends of the floor, he can play above the rim when he gets downhill and he really thrives as a defensive stopper who has quick hands and feet and is able to make plays on that end of the floor. He’s an all-around guy who can score from multiple levels and has good feel, he rebounds well and brings toughness to his team as well.
Cam Kearney | 6’6” | Veritas/Team Push
Kearney is another guy that just isn’t known by many people in the recruitment world, but once coaches get a chance to lay eyes on this guy they’re going to be impressed as he has all of the tools to play at the next level and be a very good player with time and development. He has great size and is a big time athlete that can play above the rim, he has good ball skills and can create his own shot and he has three level scoring ability both on and off the basketball. He still has some polishing to do but his upside is ridiculous, and someone will get a steal with him after a couple of years of development.
Justyn Fernandez | 6’5” | VES/DC Premier
Fernandez was set to blow up last summer and this season after announcing his reclassification to the 2022 class, however like many prospects Covid got in the way of that as he hasn’t had a chance to get seen by many coaches. However, he has quietly had a very good year at VES and continues to show improvement as a big guard who can play both on and off the basketball, and he has the skill set and athleticism to be able to get to spots and score in multiple ways all over the court. He currently holds an offer from La Salle, and I expect him to continue to build on that after he gets seen by more coaches.