AJ Walters 5'11 170 2020 Great Bridge High School, Chesapeake VA

AJ Walters is a fantastic athlete, powerful and explosive and is a mature and high IQ playmaker. He can get into the lane regularly using a great initial burst and attacks defenders with both quickness and physicality. He is extremely efficient offensively; he's a sound decision maker, a skilled passer, he breaks defenders down and he can score in a number of ways. More of a north/south playmaker AJ uses his explosive first step and start/stop ability to create space. He uses shot fakes effectively and is very good hitting the one and two dribble pull-up. He is a high percentage shooter off the dribble demonstrating abrupt stopping ability, a compact stroke, very good elevation and a quick release. He changes speeds effortlessly, uses hesitations nicely and has the ability to stop on a dime then explode and into the lane. He has the quickness to turn the corner and then break down the defense with his tremendous ball handling ability and ability to make quick reads. He is so effective getting into the lane on penetrate and kick or dishing to a cutter and has excellent vision. He does a fantastic job controlling tempo and takes care of the basketball. He demonstrates great leadership qualities running the offense and is a vocal and positive floor general. AJ has the ability to recognize offensive opportunities and exploit them either attacking angles or mismatches, backing off defenders and hitting the jumper off the dribble or blowing by an over aggressive defender. He does a great job attacking angles and using his strong frame and upper body to absorb contact and finish or get to the free throw line. He understands how to get by defenders on the break, and is relentless at pushing the ball and getting to the basket, has tremendous speed in the open floor. AJ is a threat to knock down the three pointer either on catch and shoot or stepping in off the dribble and that deep range threat forces defenders to play him well beyond the arc only making them more vulnerable to his explosiveness. Defensively he displays very good anticipation and quick hands when going for strips and deflections. Tough to get by due to his speed, lateral quickness and impressive strength. AJ has been a consistent point producer for Great Bridge and does a fantastic job getting teammates involved. He is a game changing defender whose relentless ball pressure often disrupts opposing offenses. He stays locked in when defending the dribble and employs his quickness and strength to deny dribble penetration and keeping his man from getting where he wants to with the dribble. He makes great reads from help position and has the quickness for steals while defending off the ball. AJ is a talented and skilled playmaker with a great feel and also has the physical tools to dominate in long stretches. He should emerge as one of the area's top playmakers and will be a player college coaches will be adding to their watch list as his high school career progresses.