By: Kevin Moses
Player: Wade Bland
Twitter: @WadeBland_5
Height: 6’2
Class of 2025
High School: Blacksburg High School
Bland is a fierce young star who is an athletic triple-threat scoring option. With the ability to explode off the bounce with nice speed, he gets by defenders in a flash and can pull up nasty mid-range or finish strong at the rim. He can be extremely crafty in getting the shots he wants. He can also drop sweet dimes that fuel his teammates. Bland has a nice offensive IQ and knows how to be a solid leader out there. But he is more than just a scoring option, he is a dog on defense. No one will outwork him on that side of the ball. Scrappy and driven to shut you down if you’re his man.
During the AAU session, Bland averaged 15pts, 5rebs, and 6asts. He was a game-changer with steals and deflections though they didn’t record those. The biggest improvement over the summer was his confidence against great talent which sparked a huge leadership role and taught him the value of communication in running the offense effectively. Last season, he averaged 17pts, 6 rebs, 3asts, 2.2stls, and 3defl per game. He has set a goal to win districts and regionals with a hard push for the state title while getting better every game and becoming more of a leader.
Coaches need to know Bland brings a strong work ethic and will be a complete player but it’s that dog on defense that sets him apart from the pack and will help any program go to another level. This gem checks every box. He has proven himself against multiple D1 players and shined against them all. This stud is the truth. Division level is not the biggest factor but the fit. He is a steal for any program.