Rim Rockers in NOVA
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While we’ve been updating our rankings and breaking down content on those, we decided to take a look at some of the best specialists in different areas of the state. Today, we take a look at some of the top…
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Continue ReadingWhile we’ve been updating our rankings and breaking down content on those, we decided to take a look at some of the best specialists in different areas of the state. Today, we take a look at some of the top above the rim finishers in the Northern VA.
Matt Gray | 6’6” WF | Flint Hill ’22
Gray jumped on the radar as a junior with a lot of potential but still a ways to go, and early in the summer I wrote that I saw his improvement was coming along rapidly, then June hit and he had a monster live period at DeMatha that saw him pull multiple division one offers with his high ceiling at his position. The 6’6” wing has great size but he’s also a natural athlete who can run the floor and finish above the rim in transition, can slash and put it on defenders heads and he brings it on the defensive end too,
Christian May Christian May 6'6" | SF Bishop O'Connell | 2022 State VA | 6’4” WG | Bishop O’Connell ’22
Sometimes it’s hard to remember how athletic Mays is as he’s also a knock down shooter and lock down defender that thrives as an elite glue guy, then you see him in transition and he’s not only super explosive but also fearless when he attacks the rim. He put everyone on display the second day of EYBL when he posterized a 6’8” shot blocker and the energy from it led to Takeover making a huge comeback, and I’m sure that won’t be the only time we see that from him this year.
Devin Ceaser Devin Ceaser 6'1" | CG St. Stephen's & St. Agnes | 2022 State VA | 6’1” PG | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes ’22
Ceaser, who blew up in June and recently committed to Buffalo, is one of the fastest and most explosive lead guards I’ve ever seen in my years doing this, and he makes some absolutely absurd plays when he gets out in transition. He’s so fast and gets end-to-end in no time, and when he gets a head of steam he can take off from way beyond what most people do and has great hang time and body control to put it on defenders heads and throw it down with authority.
Elliot Black | 6’6” PF | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes ’22
Black is part of a very athletic and impressive front line for SSSAS, and while he’s smaller than most post players that he plays against he is able to use his strength and explosiveness to bully his way and play above the rim. He’s a high motor and physical player in the paint, he’s explosive both when he gets downhill and off of the drop step and he throws it down with authority when he’s in the paint regularly.
Greg Jones Greg Jones 6'5" | SF Hayfield | 2023 State #258 Nation VA | 6’5” WF | Hayfield ’23
Jones is one of the biggest upside guys in the state and one that coaches will get very familiar with when they see the feel a guy with his size and frame plays with, as well as the length and natural athleticism he has too. He’s the type of athlete who makes playing above the rim look effortless as he can catch lobs, go through contact or get offensive put backs whenever he gets a head of steam going downhill.
Jamie Kaiser Jamie Kaiser 6'6" | SF IMG Academy | 2023 State #67 Nation FL | 6’5” WG | Bishop Ireton ’23
Kaiser was mentioned in my write up about the best shooters int he NOVA area too, and his ability to attack closeouts and get to the rim where he can effortlessly play above the rim is one of his top features as a wing. He’s a natural athlete who thrives in multiple sports and he has springs like it, as he’s fluid but also explosive and he’s quick off his feet allowing him to gather and attack the rim easily.
DeShawn Harris-Smith DeShawn Harris-Smith 6'5" | SF Paul VI | 2023 State #53 Nation VA | 6’5” WF | Paul VI ’23
Harris-Smith is going to have a much bigger role this season on a young but talented PVI group, and he’s an energy and glue guy that thrives in transition with his high flying ability. He’s a downhill slasher that gets to the rim often and can explode and play through contact at the rim, and he uses his athleticism on both ends and his authoritative throw downs bring a lot of energy to his team.
Isaiah Abraham Isaiah Abraham 6'7" | SG Paul VI | 2024 State #62 Nation VA | 6’6” WF | Highland School ’24
Abraham has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in the DMV, and one thing that is extremely impressive about him at his age is his freakish athleticism and ability to play above the rim. He’s a natural athlete who can get out in transition and throw it down, he can catch lobs on set plays or when he goes back door and he is far from afraid of rising up and challenging defenders at the rim.