2019 Rankings Update Overview
We’re heading into the senior season of the 2019 class, one that we at Prep Hoops VA have had the pleasure of watching grow from when they were just freshmen. This class has seen new players come in, some players leave for programs outside of the state, and have seen some massive changes over the years. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in July and August, and come time for the new season to start we’re sure there will be even more changes coming. Without further ado, here are a few things to look for in this free preview.
To check out our list of the top 150 seniors in Virginia, check out this link here.
*EDITORS NOTE: We do not rank post graduate kids, so those who are taking a post grad year at programs such as Hargrave, Massanutten and Fork Union are not included in these rankings.
Two Big Movers in the Top 10
Sitting at numbers five and six in the class are two of the fastest rising prospects not just in VA, but on the east coast. Both of them come from outside of the top 10, and have seen their recruitments skyrocket this summer so far.
At #5 is Collegiate’s Robbie Beran, who was sitting just outside of the top 15 before he blew up this summer. The 6’8” forward already had a handful of offers before the summer started, but he’s now sitting with over 20 and has seen a recent uptick in the level of those offers as well. Since April started, he picked up A10 offers from George Mason and the University of Richmond, and he just picked up an ACC offer from Boston College.
At #6 is LC Bird’s Jamon Battle, a kid that we liked since he was a freshman, but he’s really turned the corner in terms of his understanding of the game and his production level recently. The 6’5” wing has an elite level frame and is a high major athlete, and he’s starting to put it together as he seems to drop 20 almost every game whether it’s in AAU or in high school summer league. He sits with 13 offers now, including ones from ODU, Murray State, Eastern Kentucky, JMU and FIU, and should see bigger schools jump in the mix here soon as well.
Hampton Strikes Early From Home
There aren’t many players in the commonwealth that have announced their commitments yet, actually much lower than many years, but the Pirates of Hampton University have done well early. They have three early commitments in guard Antwan Epps of Bishop Sullivan and wings Danny Bannister (Cape Henry) and Jahdon Robinson (Benedictine). The Pirates have done well for themselves in the state as of recently, so it will be interesting to see if they can snag some more before the summer is over.
Rumors There are More to Come
While we try to just give you the facts in our rankings, there are rumors that there are some big time names coming into the commonwealth, particularly some of the big boarding schools including national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy. Don’t be surprised to see some changes at the top of the list once the season starts!
Private Schools Continue to Attract the Talent
While Virginia was late getting into the trend, we are definitely starting to see the move of big time talent in the commonwealth to private schools across the state. Whether they are local or boarding schools, there are 14 players in the top 25 who attend private school. However, the list does even out a little bit throughout the rankings, but it does seem to be that the intrigue of reclassification, the ability to play more games and travel more in their schedule and the chance to pick your schedule to play whatever competition you want has many of the top players in the state choosing the private route.
Breakdown by Position
Guards: 44
Wings: 68
Bigs: 38
Top 10
1) Armando Bacot | 6’9″ PF | Trinity Episcopal | Team Takeover |
2) Anthony Harris | 6’3″ PG | Paul VI | Team Takeover |
3) Qudus Wahab | 6’11” C | Flint Hill | We R 1 |
4) Mahamadou Diawara | 6’9″ PF | Massanutten | Boo Williams |
5) Robert Beran | 6’8″ F | Collegiate | Team Richmond Garner Road |
6) Jamon Battle | 6’5″ WG | LC Bird | Team Loaded 804 |
7) Zac Ervin | 6’5″ WG | Gate City | B-Maze Elite |
8) Mike Christmas | 6’5″ F | Landstown | Team Loaded VA |
9) Charlie Weber | 6’7″ PF | Bishop O’Connell | 6th Man Warriors |
10) Julien Wooden | 6’7″ WF | Northside | Team Loaded VA |