Virginia Top 80 Standouts

Top Shooting Guards

The Virginia Top 80 brings together the 80 best players in the state, regardless of class, regardless of position. It allows the big name guys to jostle for position and ranking and it allows the over looked guys to go right at the highest ranked kids to find their place.

This event was no different, however the common thread between all of them is they all competed. Every player touched the ball consistently, plays were made in the half court, and guys took pride in defense.

Today I am going to cover the Shooting Guard position. Here are the guys who showed out during the day:

1. Keldon Johnson 6'4 Freshman
   Park View HS ' Team Loaded
   Johnson had a huge freshman year, that saw him break the 60 year old Virginia High School League freshman scoring record. On the year, Johnson scored 559 points averaging 26.8 per game and yet many people have year to hear about the young man. He comes from great stock, older brother Kaleb just committed to Georgetown, but his game is unique to himself. Keldon has poise in the half court, touch with deep range, and a scorers mentality at multiple levels. There is no doubt this one has a world of success ahead of him. Mark his name down, and watch him grow.
2. Jeremy Sheppard 6' Junior
   John Marshall HS ' Team Loaded
   Tough, confident, skilled; each of these words could easily be used to describe Shepperd. He has a classic tight handle, with great change of direction either way. In this event, he scored off the dribble and off the catch at three (3) levels. He currently claims ten (10) offers from the likes of Cincinnati, East Carolina, and Richmond and it is easy to see why.
3. Gerrard Simpkins 6'4 Junior
   Bishop Sullivan ' Team Loaded 757
   Simpkins transferred into Bishop Sullivan with a lot of fan fare. With all the hype he may not have quite lived up the expectations, until the end of the year. The end of the season, Simpkins showed what everyone had expected. A supremely athletic wing, Simpkins developed consistency. When he brings energy game in and game out he is a difference make and a regional D1 prospect. In this event, he played highly motivated. The mix tapes will show him playing above the rim, a quick first step and ferocious downhill attack. But what separates him from the group is his ability to strap up on defense. Long and quick, Simpkins can play on the ball or defend the wing. The consistency light looks like it has come on, if it remains expect his offer list to grow greatly over the summer. High Point is his early, lone offer.

The Smooth Award Goes To

Richard Washington 6'5 Junior
Walsingham Academy ' Boo Williams
Washington has always been able to score. You saw that at last summer's opening AAU event, Phenom Hoop Challege. There he was arguably the best player on each floor he walked on to. In the year since, Washington transferred to Walsingham, put on some weight, and developed a consistent confidence that. Watch for Washington on the EYBL, if he holds his own watch for the BCS schools to jump in. He already holds seven (7) offers from the likes of Hofstra, ECU, and Old Dominion.

Intrigue

Zach Butler 6'4 Sophomore
Genesis Academy ' Team Loaded
Butler came up from Dorman High School, in South Carolina in the middle of the year. He carries a lot of raw tools that you have to appreciate. Butler is a quick twitch athlete that plays downhill and above the rim. As he continues to develop his jump shot and tighten his ball skills, he has the natural physical tools to garner multiple D1 offers.