2019 Rankings Updates: NOVA Bigs
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.
Over the next few weeks we will be breaking down the rankings by positions and locations. With that being said, here’s a look at the bigs in the Northern Virginia area that we ranked in the 2019 rankings.
*Editors Note: These breakdowns are based on where the players play high school basketball at.
Qudus Wahab | 6’11” C | Flint Hill/We R 1 (#3 Overall)
Sitting with mid to high major offers from schools all over the country, Wahab will be a steal with his work ethic on and off the court. He’s a defensive stopper who protects the rim, he can finish above the rim and he can shoot out to about 15 feet. He has increased production every year, and his length and size means he still has so much room to get better. At NBPA Top 100 Camp against some of the best bigs in the country, Wahab thrived as a rim runner that finished above the rim, he protected the paint and hit the glass on both ends. He’s worked his way into being a legitimate Top 100 big man.
Charlie Weber | 6’7” PF | Bishop O’Connell/6th Man Warriors (#9 Overall)
Weber was one of the breakout players in the state this season, as the 6’7″ forward wowed people with his athleticism and ferocious throwdowns on the offensive end. He can shoot the ball off the catch out to the three-point line, he works well without the ball and uses his athleticism on both ends of the floor. He has a high motor and toughness on both ends of the floor, and with his athleticism he can simply make plays that others can’t. He’s also a high academic guy who holds offers from Patriot League schools already. He has to continue to improve his ball handling to reach the next level.
Josh Oduro | 6’7” PF | Paul VI/Team Takeover (#15 Overall)
Oduro is a guy that has improved and become a serious productive big man in the WCAC over the past year. After transferring to PVI, he’s shown his skill set as a post scorer and the ability to rebound the basketball and score in the paint with both hands. He can pass out of the post, he’s a good screener and he’s a high IQ guy who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He’s seen a lot of offers and interest from high academic schools already, and if he continues to improve he should see his recruitment pick up moving forward.
Charles Thompson | 6’8” PF | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes/Team Takeover (#18 Overall)
Thompson has become a serious paint problem over the past few years after developing from a raw prospect into a solid player. He can really protect the paint, he has good hands and feet and he can finish around the basket. He used to be very stiff but he’s running the floor much better now, and his footwork has improved tremendously. He plays against a high level of competition in both high school and in AAU, so the reps against the best are really paying off. His improvement rate is also something that is good looking forward to the next level.
Joel Kabimba | 6’9” PF | Middleburg Academy/LBA Attack (#24 Overall)
One of the more unknown big men not just in the area but in the entire state, Kabimba is starting to get on the radar of college coaches because of his massive size, good mobility and athleticism. He can run the floor with the best of them, he seals and finishes well in the paint, he pursues the basketball off the glass on both ends of the floor and he’s a physical post player that you dread to have to bang with. He continues to improve offensively, and with a redshirt year he could be someone that ends up at a steal at the next level. With a solid July he could be sitting with a number of division one offers by the end of the summer.
Jonas Munson | 6’11” C | Western Potomac/VA Elite (#38 Overall)
A project big man, the biggest thing that Munson has going for him is the fact that he’s almost 7’0″ tall and that he can finish around the basket with both hands. His height alone makes him an impact player and he’s able to contest shots without leaving his feet and he has decent footwork on both ends of the floor. He’s still a little awkward with his movements but if he has a coach who knows how to seriously develop big men, Munson could be the steal of this class.
Daniel Deaver | 6’7” PF | George Marshall/NOVA Cavs (#42 Overall)
Deaver has a great skill set in the post and is somewhat of throwback kind of player with the way that he can score the basketball around the rim. He can face up or score with his back to the basket, he has a jump hook with both hands, he’s crafty around the rim and he can spin and finish either way. He’s very productive and an efficient player that knows his game well. He has a lot of high academic smaller schools all over him now, but he’s a guy who can kill it in the paint and could be a steal at a scholarship level school, but he is looking for something with high academics from what his coaches tell me.
Noel Brown | 6’9” C | Flint Hill/Team BBC (#43 Overall)
Brown played at a small school so he’s still somewhat of a secret, but now that he’s transferring in to Flint Hill with nationally ranked Qudus Wahab and 2020 big man Dowar Jiokolow college coaches are bound to see his potential. He still is a project, but he’s a guy who has been working his tail off and the work shows. He has a high motor, decent hands and feet, he gets after it on both ends and he can step outside and shoot the basketball. He’ll be a steal for someone at the next level.
Ian Anderson | 6’7” PF | Potomac Falls/LBA Attack (#46 Overall)
6’7″ with a tremendous skill set, Anderson is a mismatch because he can catch on the perimeter and put the ball on the floor to get to the basket. He runs the floor well, is a crafty finisher in traffic and can protect the rim and switch pick and rolls. While he’s perimeter oriented, he doesn’t shy away in the post when it comes to rebounding or defending. He’s a guy who has come on late and many small schools would kill to have him, if he doesn’t blow up and have scholarship level programs knocking on his door soon.
Cody Mains | 6’7” PF | WT Woodson/Team Takeover Grey (#52 Overall)
Mains is still pretty raw, but he has good strength for his size and he’s an above average athlete that finishes plays others can’t. He can run the floor and finish above the rim in transition, he rebounds well even against bigger post guys and he can defend multiple positions. He needs to work on his perimeter skill set to become more of a mismatch, but when he is playing with a high motor he’s very impactful on the floor.
Ben Jensen | 6’11” C | WT Woodson/Team Takeover Orange (#63 Overall)
There’s something about 6’11” guys that coaches seem to like, oh yeah the fact that they’re 6’11”! Jensen is still a project, but he’s able to affect the game every time he’s on the floor because of his massive size. He has decent touch around the rim, he keeps plays alive offensively and he doesn’t try to do too much on the floor. He still has to continue to develop, but this could be one project that pans out down the road.
Jake Latta | 6’6” C | South County/Pro Look (#114 Overall)
Latta is a very good athlete who plays above the rim and plays much bigger than his 6’6″ frame indicates. He’s played against guys that are 6’8″ and above his whole life, so he plays with a high motor and a chip on his shoulder. He’s a solid paint presence that can switch pick and rolls and finish around the basket. He can step out and is a decent shooter from beyond the arc, and his leaping ability makes him a big threat in transition and when diving to the basket.