Vantage Hoops 2017 Rankings: Bigs (Part 2)
The Vantage Hoops Virginia 2017 Top 150 Rankings were updated earlier this week, and now it’s time to take a closer look. Below is part one of our breakdown of the top bigs in the class. Stay tuned for more content, including additional position-by-position…
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Continue ReadingThe Vantage Hoops Virginia 2017 Top 150 Rankings were updated earlier this week, and now it’s time to take a closer look. Below is part one of our breakdown of the top bigs in the class. Stay tuned for more content, including additional position-by-position break-downs, biggest stock boosters, and more.
Nana Opoku | 6’6” | Potomac (#28 Overall)
One of the most improved players in the state, Opoku is a quiet paint protector that has developed into a two-way monster. Defensively, he has ridiculous length and great timing as a shot blocker, blocking double digit shots in multiple games for Potomac last season. Offensively, he works on the offensive glass, runs the floor well and has worked on his midrange jumper to where it’s become pretty consistent over the years. He signed with Mount St. Mary’s, who is looking like they got a true gem in this one.
Admir Besovich | 6’11” | Virginia Episcopal School (#35 Overall)
Besovich looked like a completely different player this summer when we saw him last season with VES. The Bosnian looked less stiff in the post, ran the floor well, finished with both hands around the rim and did a good job of contesting shots without fouling. He has tremendous size and is pretty strong as well, and while his skill set is still coming along it’s easy to see that he’s been trained in the European style of ball movement and looks comfortable catching it at the high post. He’ll need to provide a paint presence if VES is going to look to repeat as state champions.
Ben Davis | 6’5” | Oak Hill Academy (#38 Overall)
A recent transfer to Oak Hill from the Utah area, Davis may be a little undersized but that doesn’t stop him from producing. He is the definition of a step out four man, one that pulls big men away from the basket in pick-and-pop situations, yet he’s strong enough to bang with true big men in the post. He shot it extremely well in their first scrimmage against Massanutten Military Academy, and he’s seen interest from a number of division two and low major division one schools.
Austin Katstra | 6’6” | Albemarle (#40 Overall)
The all time leading scorer in Albemarle history will look to match the magical season they had last year, where Katstra and crew went to the 5A State Semifinals. The perfect high school big, Katstra is athletic, plays hard and is very strong in the paint. In contested scenarios are the basket, he doesn’t shy away from contact, instead he embraces it and will try to dunk it over you if you’re in the way. He can shoot the set shot out to 20 feet, is a good passer from the high post and gets up and down in transition with his guards. He’ll be asked to do a lot this season, and if he can come through he should see more scholarship level schools coming to check him out.
Ameer Bennett | 6’8” | St. Christopher’s (#41 Overall)
Bennett has improved a lot over the past two seasons, and with the departure of Virginia all time leading scorer Nick Sherod to Richmond, he’ll finally have a chance to show it. In summer league, St. Chris made it a point to show that Bennett will be a large part of the offense this year. He’s extremely long which allows him to alter shots and rebound in the post, and he’s comfortable finishing with either hand around the basket. He isn’t the best athlete, but he can run the floor and finish in transition, and he’s developed a reliable midrange jump shot. Expect to hear a lot from him this season.