The state of Virginia never shies away from revealing some of the best college prospects in any given year. It is also good for showcasing some of the bigger breakout performers during a prospect’s senior summer. In the past three years, Devon Robinson, Kenny Williams, Robert Johnson, Chris Clarke, and Javin DeLaurier went from regional recruits, to full blown, high-major recruitments.

The 2017 class should reveal a few more breakouts in the coming months. Whether it is because of the situation that they are placed in, an acknowledgement that the time is now, or a quickly improving skillset, the junior class throughout the state is more than promising and one that will bring in some of the elite programs in recruiting some of the best that the state has to offer.

CLASS OF 2017 VIRGINIA RANKINGS

TOP OF THE CLASS SHOWS PROMISE

While the 2017 class isn’t as elite as the 2016 class is within the state, there still seems to be at least twelve power conference prospects and more should be added to the crop as further ballplayers enter such programs as Oak Hill Academy, Hargrave Military Academy, and The Miller School next fall.

Still though, while only one prospect is off the board with Ty-Shon Alexander committing to Creighton this past weekend, there will be a lot of fuss surrounding the top prospects in Virginia.

Matt Coleman, Devontae Shuler, Aamir Simms, Ejike Obinna, and Lindell Wigginton, our top-five in the 2017 class, each hold more than one scholarship offer from a power conference program from outside of the Mid-Atlantic region. Thus, each has a chance to see a national recruitment and one that is prioritized by some of the best programs from either coast.

GUARDS LEAD THE WAY

Things are a bit different in the 2017 class compared to the 2016 list. The current senior class is chalk full of top shelf big man led by the likes of Harry Giles, Sacha Killeya-Jones, and Javin DeLaurier, and the first point guard doesn’t pop up until number fifteen in our rankings. On the opposite end of the spectrum, five of the top ten in the 2017 group are point guards.

In all, only two big men find themselves within the top-ten of the rankings and the amount of playmakers, facilitators, and scorers of the basketball towards the top half of the 2017 rankings is pretty evident. Matt Coleman and Devontae Shuler lead the way, but others such as Jordan Cross, Myles Douglas, and Mario Haskett aren’t too far behind in showing value in playing various spots in the backcourt and in putting the ball through the bucket.

OAK HILL DOMINATES

Steve Smith knows that he’s in for a good year whenever four of the top-ten ranked players in the 2017 class call Oak Hill Academy home this winter. Even crazier is the fact that all four are in the point guard, or combo guard variety.

Matt Coleman finds himself at the top of the list as the in-state product is a top of the line, on-ball defender with elite quickness and steadily has improved his outside jumper.

Devontae Shuler comes into the state as the native of South Carolina with a unique blend of athleticism, production from on and off the ball, and a quickly improving skillset.

We are a bit higher on Lindell Wigginton compared to others yet the Canadian guard is a gamer. He never fails to live up to the crucial moments that he faces and can score the ball in various fashions.

Lastly, Ty-Shon Alexander, the lone commit within our top-25, comes to Oak Hill from North Carolina as the slashing guard can wear various hats out top and can become quite the defensive dynamo down the road before he even touches the Creighton campus.

WHO COULD BE THE BREAKOUT PERFORMER?

Like we had already talked about, the state of Virginia is known for producing a few breakout performers during the completion of one’s junior year. This particular crop looks good but there are a few that can go from solid recruits and enter themselves into a high-level affair on the recruiting front.

While he finds himself as the number three ranked junior, Aamir Simms has the motor, intellect, and broad range of abilities on the hardwood that make him a unique forward and a capable, top-50 recruit.

Mario Haskett is a shot-making guard who can play both on and off the basketball and with some Indiana sophomore guard Robert Johnson to him, the 6-foot-2 junior has the chance to enter himself into a top-100 ranking nationally.

Nate Watson has reclassified back into the 2017 class and now with a fast-forwarded recruitment, the big man could become a nationwide recruit. He is far from a finished product but has quality hands, the body to bang around down low, and a prospering skillset from 15-feet and in.

While he might not reach the high-major platform, Ben Stanley has reclassified into the 2017 class and should see a worthy recruitment from here on out. He is athletic, confident, and versatile and should become a quality, regional recruit.