Vantage 2018 Updated Rankings Breakdown: Wings (Part 2)
We’ve now had three years of high school and AAU basketball to break down the 2018 class, and things look much different then our first rankings of them two years ago. While rankings are always subject to change, especially with the reclass and transfer rate as it is, almost all of the players have improved whether they dropped or rose in our rankings.
When taking rankings into consideration, the Vantage Hoops team spends about a month contacting coaches and experts across the state to compile the list. There were over 250 kids we considered for the top 150, and the rankings reflect the next level potential of the prospects. Things taken into consideration include upside, high school production, head-to-head matchups, skill set on both sides of the ball and include intangibles such such as how recruitable a kid is based on grades, attitude and how coachable they are.
We will spend the next few weeks breaking down our new rankings from 2018 through 2020. Here’s a look at part one of our 2018 wings breakdown. Enjoy, and stay tuned for more breakdowns moving forward!
Dereon Seabron | 6’5” | Lake Taylor/Team Loaded 757 (#20 Overall)
Physically, Seabron looks the part and has the skill set to be a midmajor player. He’s extremely long for a wing, with a wingspan around 6’8” or maybe even 6’10”. He’s wiry but he’s starting to fill out heading into his senior season, and he’s got stronger and more athletic every year that he’s played. He can really pat it for his size, as you can iso him in half court sets or let him push in transition after rebounding where he can break down defenders and get to the rim to finish. He isn’t a bad shooter, but he’s inconsistent, and that inconsistency is a flaw in his game that sometimes holds him back. On an average day, he can be the best player on the floor at all times, but he doesn’t always seem to want to be. However, when he turns it on he’s a dangerous offensive threat that can score it both on and off the ball and is hard to match up with because of his length and ability to handle the basketball.
DJ Myers | 6’5” | Hargrave/Team Wall (#22 Overall)
Myers will be playing for Hargrave’s Post Grad team despite reclassifying and being able to play varsity this season. The North Carolina native was the best player on their varsity team last year, and has been touted by a number of mid major schools both last year during the high school season and this summer with Team Wall. He’s a positionless guy who could easily be labeled as a hybrid forward because he does a lot of stuff in the paint, but his offensive game primarily revolves around the perimeter. He isn’t a super explosive athlete but he’s a smooth athlete that can put it on the deck, finish above the rim in transition, is a crafty finisher around the basket and he shoots the midrange really well. His size and ability to play multiple positions are what is most intriguing, however he’s one of those “good at everything, not great at anything kind of players,” and he’ll have to find a niche at the next level if he wants to make an immediate impact as a freshman in college.
Max Johns | 6’4” | Woodberry Forest (#23 Overall)
Johns was an All Prep League performer as a sophomore at Woodberry Forest, averaging 13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1 block per game. He’s a versatile two guard who’s athletic in downhill situations and can really stroke it off the catch. He sets his feet quickly, has a good release point and effortless range, but what’s best is that even though he can shoot it he doesn’t settle all the time and attacks the rim and uses his athleticism to finish at and above the rim. He’s a high motor guy that gives max effort on both ends of the floor, and he is going to compete from the tip to the buzzer. While he looked great his sophomore year, he unfortunately suffered a knee injury that kept him out his entire junior campaign right when his stock was soaring. He had picked up an offer from ODU, and seemed destined for more before the injury, but all of that has stalled now. If he can come back his senior year and show that explosion and ability to score the ball in a number of different ways, he could be a guy colleges luck out on and have a chance with late if they do their homework and don’t forget about him.
Sardarr Calhoun | 6’5” | Blue Ridge School/Team Loaded VA (#24 Overall)
Calhoun has continued to get better and better with his skill set every year, and once it all clicks for him he could be an absolute stud at the next level. The problem is, it hasn’t clicked for him. Calhoun has the tools to be a three and d guy right now, and possibly more in the future. He has a great looking stroke from deep, one that has improved immensely since he transferred and reclassified at Blue Ridge School last season. He’s also a great athlete that can play above the rim in transition, rebound well for a wing and defend the most athletic scorers. He also has a good basketball IQ, however it seems like he overthinks at times instead of just playing. If he can get the confidence needed to maximize his potential, the sky is the limit for Calhoun and he could end up better in college than he is right now.
Cle’Von Greene | 6’1” | Williamsburg Christian/Team Loaded 757 (#26 Overall)
Many consider Greene a point guard because he plays with the ball in his hands, however we see him as a combo guard who isn’t the primary ball handler but can create shots for himself with it in his hands. Greene’s a freakish athlete with a high motor and he uses that to make plays in a number of ways. He’s a great rebounder despite being a smaller off guard, he defends with quick hands and jumps passing lanes, and he’s an absolute competitor that will go at anyone on any given day. He doesn’t have a super tight handle, but he gets where he needs to with the ball in his hands, and he’s become a much improved shooter over the past few seasons. He’s a “score in bunches” kind of guy, who is going to hit one jumper and then follow it up with three or four more. He has a great frame that translates well to the next level, and he has that dog and desire to be the best player on the floor as well. At times he plays a little reckless and out of control, but if you let him play through his mistakes he’ll ultimately make you more good plays than bad when it’s all said and done.
Matthew Urbach | 6’3” | WT Woodson/Team Takeover Orange (#28 Overall)
Urbach had a huge spring and tailed off a little bit toward the end of the summer, but there’s no doubt that when you talk about the best shooters in the state he has to be mentioned in the conversation. At 6’3” he has good size, he’s constantly moving without the ball, he has good footwork on his shot prep and a quick release. He’s great coming off of screens and has effortless range out to 25 feet, and he’s one that’s always looking for his next shot. What separates Urbach from other elite shooters is that he gives you more than just shooting. He’s a good defender that’s willing to sacrifice his body to take a charge or get on the floor for a loose ball, he’s an underrated athlete that will attack the rim offensively and attack the glass on both ends of the floor, and while he isn’t a great ball handler he’s able to attack closeouts and get in the lane to score in the midrange. Coming off of a state championship, expect Urbach to help Woodson make another big run this year.
Jeremy Robinson | 6’4” | Paul VI (#35 Overall)
Robinson is a hybrid forward that provides a physical presence in the paint and a great pick-and-pop guy who can also run the floor and play on the wing. He’s a good shooter and great rebounder for a wing, and his broad size allows him to post up and bully weaker perimeter players and cause mismatches for teams. He’s a great glue guy in that he changes the whole defensive game plan, but he’s also reliable and doesn’t make many mistakes. Whether he’s touching it offensively or not, he’s giving great effort on both ends, he provides toughness and he’s a smart player with a great feel for the game.
Brayden Gault | 6’5′ | Battlefield/Team Takeover Grey (#37 Overall)
Gault had a great summer as he was the lead guy for Takeover Grey and put up some big numbers in some very good tournaments. Despite that, he’s still just now starting to receive some offers, as he’s picked up two division two offers since the school year began. A three year varsity player and starter since his sophomore year, Gault has great feel and a high IQ that he uses to negate the fact that he isn’t the most athletic guy on the court. He isn’t a bad athlete, just not a great one. He can shoot it from deep, makes good decisions in transition, is a crafty finisher in the paint and he’s a leader you can trust to both have the ball in his hands and work well without the ball. Coaches know who he is already, and with a big senior season it wouldn’t surprise me to see him pull some high academic offers moving forward.
Matt Becht | 6’4” | Bishop O’Connell/Team Takeover Orange (#47 Overall)
We’ve talked about how some of these guys are great glue guys and not go-to guys, well Becht proves that if you play your role and do it well enough you’ll get recruited. The sniper specialist committed to Mount St. Mary’s, and was recruited by them for one reason and one reason only: To shoot the basketball. Becht knows his strengths and plays to them, he doesn’t try to put it on the floor and create his own shot, he moves without the ball, gets to his spots and knocks down shots. Playing with talented point guards his whole life has helped him develop this niche, and he has one of the best in the state in Xavier Johnson at O’Connell to get him the ball, so expect him to knock down a lot of shots from deep this season.