Player: Raymond Bellamy
Class: 2020
HT: 6’3, 162 pounds (has a 6’6 wingspan)
High School: Lakeland High School, Suffolk VA
AAU Club Name: Suffolk United
High School Coach Evaluation: Ray is a lengthy point guard, creative shooting guard and a tactical small forward. He has the capacity defend smaller point guards and taller ball handling players. His solid ball handling skills allow him to generate his own shot at all three levels. He’s paying close attention to his defensive positioning on the perimeter to make it difficult for smaller guards to turn the corner. Ray will be called on to play from point guard to power forward this up and coming season. While getting stronger over the summer was his goal, it was uniquely evident with his fall league basketball play that he has gotten stronger. Ray will be called upon as a leader this season and those to come. He will be critical to the success of the basketball program here at Lakeland High School. – Coach Clint Wright, Sr, Head Coach – Lakeland High School Basketball. Coach Wright was a high school basketball star at John Yeates HS in Suffolk VA. He played collegiately at Norfolk State University where he led the Spartans to the 1991 CIAA Championship. He was also an assistant coach on the 2009 VHSL State Champion Kings Fork High School team.
Coach Frank says: Raymond is a long, lanky point guard with excellent athleticism. He is quick with the ball in the open court and crafty and agile with the dribble in traffic. Raymond is a good shooter from outside but is at his best attacking the rim where he is a smooth finisher who can hit the jumper off the dribble or finish in traffic around the rim. He is quick enough to beat his defender, has a great crossover dribble move that he can snap off with an explosive change of direction move and get into the lane or create separation. Raymond has a high release and strong follow through on the jumper and his offensive versatility coupled with great length and athleticism makes him a tough defensive assignment. His long wingspan (6’6”) comes in handy on the defensive end as he can defend opposing lead guards and also defend in the paint. He is often used at the top of their press or half court zone defenses where his quickness and length allows him to get to traps and make for a difficult player for offenses to throw over top of. He is an excellent rebounder, bouncy and quick off his feet and can impact the game in a number of ways on both ends. Raymond is a player with huge upside and should be in the conversation of top 2020’s in the state.