Summer Stock Boosters: 2017 Bigs (Part 2)
With the final live periods coming to a close a couple weeks ago, it’s now time to take an in depth look at some of the biggest stock boosters in Virginia throughout the entire AAU season. The lists compiled will…
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Continue ReadingWith the final live periods coming to a close a couple weeks ago, it’s now time to take an in depth look at some of the biggest stock boosters in Virginia throughout the entire AAU season. The lists compiled will be organized based on year and position, and will only include players that have open recruitments and have yet to make a verbal commitment. It’s impossible for us to mention every kid that boosted their stock throughout the summer, but we’ve narrowed down some of the players that took the biggest jumps in improvement and interest from colleges. Here’s part two of the 2017 wings.
Michael Barfield-Owens | 6’5” | Princess Anne/BWSL WAWG
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #52
It was nothing new for Barfield-Owens this summer, as he was an absolute production machine for Stef Welsh’s group. He attacks the glass on both ends of the floor, can run the floor and finish in transition and cause mismatch problems with his ability to step out and play on the perimeter. He holds an offer from WV Wesleyan, and picked up interest from a number of division one and two programs over the summer.
Miles Gibson | 6’5” | Millwood School/Team Richmond Garner Road
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #57
Speaking of mismatch problems, Gibson causes them every game with his guard skills on the perimeter and big man attitude in the paint. Offensively, Gibson can score it at all three levels, is capable of getting his own shot and is always a threat to keep a play alive on the offensive glass. Defensively, he’s able to bang down low and guard bigger post players, and can also hedge or switch ball screens on the perimeter. He has interest from a number of MEAC, Big South and division two schools.
Jyles Webster | 6’6” | LC Bird/River City Reign
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #66
While basketball is going more toward the positionless players and bigs that can step outside, Webster is a throwback that will hold the middle down and provides that physical presence needed in the paint. He’s an energy guy that works on the glass, can finish above the rim on duck ins and has an improving middle game. He’s not afraid to use one of his five fouls if you come down the middle either. Webster has interest from a handful of schools at all levels right now.
Shonari Street | 6’5” | Battlefield/Higher Level
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #69
Street is more like the first two on this list, but he has more of a four man’s frame with his upper body strength. Offensively he’s hard to gameplan for, because he’s able to step out and shoot the three ball, can score in the midrange and is always a threat around the basket. Would like to see him more physical and assertive on the defensive end, but he is a good rebounder and with his skill set has a chance to be a scholarship level player.
Brandon Mitchell | 6’5” | Salem/Team Loaded 757 Astrop
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #79
The co-MVP of Big Shots Myrtle Beach Session One, Mitchell is a lanky and high energy forward, both tools in which he uses to make plays in the middle and on the glass. Defensively he’s versatile, agile enough laterally to stay in front on switches and long enough to contest shots, get deflections and alter passes in traps. He’s shown a soft touch out to 15 feet, and he’s not afraid to draw contact to get to the line where he’s a solid free throw shooter. Drew interest from schools at all levels with his play the last two seasons, and didn’t disappoint this summer either.
Kelvin Nicholson | 6’8” | Cox/Team Loaded 757 16U
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #99
Word on the street is that he’s likely going to reclassify or prep for another year, but Nicholson was a nice paint presence for Loaded 757 16U that can control the backboard and has a soft touch around the basket. He’s still a little stiff with his mobility, but he’s improved leaps and bounds with his footwork and athleticism. With an extra year, Nicholson could see some interest from scholarship level programs if he continues to improve.
Jordan James | 6’7” | George C. Marshall/NOVA Cavs
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #101
From last year to this year, James looks like a completely different player with his aggression and confidence on the low block. He has length, size and is an explosive athlete off of two feet, allowing him to protect the rim defensively and finish above the rim on simple drop steps. He still has room to improve, and a lot of division three and division two schools have been touting him this summer.
Baker Haviland | 6’7” | Cave Spring/Spectrum
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #126
Haviland had a great July with Spectrum at Myrtle Beach after 7’0” Admir Bessovich went back to Bosnia. A strong 6’7” forward/center, he’s capable of holding down the middle and rebounding in and out of his area. He has good footwork on both ends, boxes out and has a soft touch from deep that spreads the floor for his driving guards. He had a number of division two and division three schools that were impressed with his performance late in the summer.
Jamil Burrell | 6’4” | Hermitage/River City Reign Hill
Vantage Hoops Ranking: #137
He didn’t play too much last season with All Conference big Robbie Osbourn at Hermitage, but this summer he showed he’s got next on the block this season. Much like Osbourn, Burrell is a high motor, undersized four that will outwork players bigger than him and outmuscle players smaller than him. His work ethic and all out mentality won’t keep him under the radar for much longer, as ODAC and CAC schools are starting to come in after a good summer.