Player: Brayden Ragland
Class: 2029
School: Highland
As scouts, you are always looking for the next wave of talent coming through the high school landscape, and one player in Virginia to keep an eye on early is 2029 6’6 Brayden Ragland from Highland.
Yes, this is the same school that produced Nate Ament, who is now at Tennessee. And it seems that they have another player to start tracking, as Ragland was able to shine down in Raleigh at the John Wall Invitational.
Ragland had an impressive Day 1, where he went for 26 points to lead his team and really flourished with his ability to be a physical presence. With his 6’6 and strong frame as a freshman, Ragland continues to bring production and strength to the court. He excelled in getting inside and forcing the action, doing a great job embracing contact and being physical in the paint as well as on the glass. But he also demonstrates the ability to space the floor, shows his comfort with handles when needed, and makes the right reads when the ball is in his hands. Ragland is an overpowering prospect who is just starting his story, and it seems that he could be tracking to be a premier prospect in the state of Virginia in the coming years.
Right now, he already holds offers from Tennessee State, La Salle, and Radford.
What Has Phenom Hoops Said:
“He’s a smart, strong, skilled forward/post prospect who possesses advanced ability for his size and age. Despite being the youngest (and only freshman) camper in the varsity division, Ragland found consistent production while impacting the game on both ends of the floor. He utilizes his body very well and displays soft touch around the basket. Ragland finished through contact and highlighted flashes of floor-spacing ability. He passes and handles the ball well for his size/position. Ragland does a quality job of altering shots defensively and maintaining a solid two-way rebounding presence.”