6’5 Thomas Vickery (Christ School)
Although we featured his teammate in the first edition, Vickery is another guy who should take a massive leap forward for the Greenies. Arguably, no one in the class has boosted their stock as much as him during the travel ball season. In addition to possessing an excellent blend of size, shooting, and athleticism, he’s a malleable piece with the ability to operate as a focal point or impactful role player. Vickery attacks closeouts and finishes consistently. His motor and instincts allow him to make his presence felt defensively. It’s also worth noting that Vickery made a lot of noise earlier this spring with his staggering numbers in the high jump for track and field.
6’7 Zeke Battier (Providence Day)
Seeing how the Providence Day roster is graduating four of its top players (Trajan Thompson, Julian Johnson, Nick Hailey, and Jonah Lawrence), there will be ample opportunity for Battier to take the next step in his progression. Though tall, he’s truly just beginning to physically develop. Battier is a long, mobile, floor-spacing forward with touch and the ability to operate in various roles offensively. While it’s unclear who the Chargers plan to add prior to next season, their current structure would allow Battier to develop as a creator and showcase more of his inside-out ability. He’ll only continue to improve as he gets stronger and more athletic, which could be a scary sight for opponents.
6’2 Judah King (Ambassador Christian)
It’ll be very interesting to see what the Lions roster looks like when the high school season begins, but King will be a vital part of their success no matter what. Assuming it remains the same, he will provide a valuable blend of creation skills, scoring ability, and defensive prowess. King knows how to run a team with poise and unselfishness. He’s a low-maintenance guard who is comfortable with or without the ball in his hands. King is a smart cutter with the ability to finish or make the extra pass. He’s a natural connecting piece whose simple, straightforward game allows him to be an impactful piece in seemingly every possible context.
6’4 Blake Smith (Salisbury)
Given the amount of senior production slated to depart from Salisbury (nearly 50 points per game), it appears that Smith will need to have a breakout season in order for this group to maintain expectations. He’s a long, blossoming wing prospect with nice athleticism and a well-rounded skillset. Throughout the summer season with the Carolina Riptide, Smith has shown the ability to impact all facets of the game as a two-way leader. He plays hard and utilizes his length well to be disruptive defensively. Smith rebounds well for his size/position. He’s a useful creator with solid vision and has the ability to score from all levels (but is arguably at his best when attacking the basket).