skip navigation

Virginia Rankings: A Look at 10 Prospects to Watch in the 2022 Class

By Big Shots Nation, 06/08/20, 4:00PM EDT

Share

Here's a look at the top prospects in Virginia's 2022 class.

Jayden Epps - 6’1 Guard - Kings Fork

Kings Fork High School got a huge boost in their rotation in 2019-20 with the addition of Jayden Epps. He’s a combo guard that leads by example and the team goes as he does. He’s a threat to score from anywhere on the floor and makes those around him better. He dropped a school-record 46 points against Nansemond River and had quite the run in the state tournament as well. He holds more than 10 offers already from the likes of Florida, VCU and Virginia Tech already and is continuing to draw national attention with his play on the hardwood.

Maliq Brown - 6’8 Forward - Blue Ridge School

Maliq Brown is an emerging forward at Blue Ridge School. He did damage in their frontcourt in 2019-20, putting up 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game in an expanded role. He’s a paint presence with a nice touch around the rim and a nice shot in the high post. He came off the bench in the early going of the season but found himself in the starting rotation by season’s end. He’s another prospect that’s gaining tons of attention from colleges already with offers from VCU, Georgetown, Virginia Tech and Penn State to name a few.

D.J. Hand - 6’6 Guard - Landstown

D.J. Hand already has some basketball pedigree under his belt as he’s the son of UVA legend Donald Hand. He was a pivotal piece in their rotation as they went 12-1 in the conference and named the Region 6A Player of the Year after showing his knack for filling it up from deep and getting to the free throw line. He’s also a terror getting to the rim and creating off the bounce. He holds offers already from Virginia Tech, Clemson and VCU with more certainly to come his way.

Tyler Nickel - 6’7 Forward/Wing - East Rockingham

Tyler Nickel is a forward prospect with a nice frame and size already at 6-foot-6 built to play the stretch-4 role. He runs the floor well on both ends and makes his impact felt on the defensive end at every turn. He can knock down the outside shot but looks to get to the rim first to keep the defense guessing. He’s a fearless athlete with a nice motor on the hardwood. He’s a name to watch at East Rockingham and holds offers from Penn State, VCU and Virginia Tech.

Alphonzo Billups III - 6’5 Guard/Wing - Varina

Alphonzo Billups III is a growing name in the Richmond Metro area at Varina High School. He showed his development in 2019-20 as a smooth operator that can rise over defenders and score in traffic with consistency as they went 19-5 on the year and 7-0 in conference action. He filled up the stat sheet on both ends and showed off his shot-blocking ability and versatility as a next-level prospect. He holds offers from Clemson, VCU and Temple so far with tons of room to continue his growth on the court. 

D.J. Campbell - 5’11 Guard - Kecoughtan

D.J. Campbell is an underrated combo guard at Kecoughtan High School in the Tidewater area. He was a third-team All-Tidewater performer after making it to the 5A Region Semifinals before falling to Norview. He’s an explosive guard that can get out on the break and attack the rim and score in the midrange. He’s also quite the unselfish playmaker and defender. He’s been offered from Old Dominion and Hampton.

Kanye Clary - 5’10 Point Guard - Princess Anne

Kanye Clary put the Princess Anne boy’s squad on the right side of history after getting their first regional playoff victory in 21 years over defending champion Maury. Clary posted 22 points, six assists and five rebounds in the win. He’s another explosive guard despite his 5-foot-11 stature that can get to the rim and finish in traffic with ease and consistency. He’s crafty off the dribble using his quickness to his advantage to get to his spots to make things happen on the hardwood. Norfolk State and Hampton have offered him.

Justin Taylor - 6’5 Wing/Guard - St. Anne’s Belfield (STAB)

Justin Taylor is a growing name in the state of Virginia at St. Anne’s Belfield. Taylor had a productive year in the rotation at STAB in 2019-20, putting up 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 34 percent from 3-point land. He made 60 3-pointers from deep showing off his ability to knock it down at volume. He’s a player that can get it out the net on the defensive end and create his own shot on the break and make plays for others. As he continues to develop, he’s one to keep an eye on in this class. He holds offers from George Washington and Old Dominion.

Knasir ‘Dug’ McDaniel - 5’10 Point Guard - Paul VI

Dug McDaniel was a spark once again in 2019-20 in the backcourt for Paul VI, acting as instant offense off the bench. He’s got a ton of confidence with the ball in his hands and knows how to make plays when he’s on the floor, despite his youth. McDaniel is due for a big 2020-21 campaign with the departure of Jeremy Roach to Duke. He stepped onto the scene in a big way in 2018-19 when Roach went down with an injury and missed the entire season. He holds offers from Vanderbilt, George Mason, Florida, Wake Forest and Mount St. Mary’s.

Jaden Daughtry - 6’5 Forward/Wing - Benedictine

Jaden Daughtry is a versatile prospect that’s got nice size and mobility that allows him to play multiple positions on the floor at Benedictine. He can handle the ball well enough to play the wing and is strong enough with enough length to make things happen in the post. As he learns to make winning plays on the hardwood, he’ll be one to watch in this class. Norfolk State and Old Dominion have offered him already.