Rise of Virginia’s 2025
In this article:
Aau was definitely kicked off in my eyes at the WPA Bruins tip-off. Great talent lots of teams and it had a live period atmosphere in Pittsburgh! But among all the hype and the great players in the building, it…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAau was definitely kicked off in my eyes at the WPA Bruins tip-off. Great talent lots of teams and it had a live period atmosphere in Pittsburgh! But among all the hype and the great players in the building, it was an eighth-grader that was the buzz and the talk of the tournament. Dee Alexander 2025 6’0 wing was awesome not only does she belong she produces at 17U at an elite level! Now ask yourself is this a new trend? I could remember three years ago going to see a 6-foot eighth-grade guard in Louisa county at a JV game. Not only was she the best kid on either JV team she was the best player on either varsity team that kid’s name is Olivia McGee who now holds over 33 D-1 offers. Now you’re starting to see more talent to eighth-grade girls come through the ranks and I think as club directors and coaches we need to identify and embrace the talent on here we cannot stay Ridgid and hold back generational talent based upon the age and Grade level. Here in Virginia, I’m pretty sure we have a great pool of eighth-grade talent just waiting to be tapped in! Here is a couple of girls that I have heard the buzz on and seen with my own eyes that are playing in the state of Virginia.
This is my disclaimer:
These are not rankings! If your child or player is not on this very short list please don’t get offended is just a start of getting these girls out on a platform and knowing how to get seen and heard. Any other exposure from a social media perspective and a marketing perspective I believe that responsibility lies with the parents ultimately and the advice of people that are associated with basketball in that particular circle.
Lanie Grant Lanie Grant 5'9" | PG James River HS | 2024 State VA 5’7 PG 2025 Elevate Elite 17U 3SSB
She is definitely driven to be great! She really bust out on the scene as a 7th grader at the Assist Students Athletes top 32 girls event that had elite talent in the building. She held her own and put everyone on notice that from a skills perspective she was as elite as they come. Now she’s growing into her body and getting stronger along to way! Currently holds three offers!
Nyla Brooks 6’0 wing Boo Williams EYBL
I saw the kid in person one time at Boo Williams and I was shocked that she was an eighth-grader! With her size and wingspan, this kid will be a nightmare as her skills develop even more! The next time I saw her was on Twitter when she post her offer from West Virginia! Not a surprise as there will be more offers to come.
Erin Edmonds 5’9 CG VA Havoc 17U
Mom and dad are coaches. Older sister plays basketball at the Naval Academy. Oldest brother has a scholarship to Bucknell University. And her other sister Alexis Edmonds Alexis Edmonds 5'8" | CG Hopewell | 2023 State VA is the 3A region player of the year. I say all that because Erin has sucked up all traits of her siblings and is an elite prospect! She can shoot it and score from anywhere on the court. Long Athletic frame she glides up and down the court even against 17U competition. Already 5’9 and with her frame, you can tell she still is growing.
Ava Johnson 2025 6’1 PF Boo Williams 16U
Ava is a good prospect you can tell she is still learning the nuance of the game. She definitely will get stronger as her body develops more good rebounder and she is an excellent knockdown shooter! It’s very rare to find somebody her age and height that can hit the three and 15 footers she will get better with training and development keep your eye on her.
Amirah Anderson 2025 5’9 SG Elevate Elite 16U Gold
I love players like Amirah! She young and playing up and the game I saw her play she displayed a very high basketball IQ she can score but is very unselfish. I was very impressed watching her play at Inside Exposure.
More Notable 2025
Caitlyn Jones 5’6 CG Boo Williams (1 offer)
Trinity Jones Trinity Jones 5'9" | SG Monacan | 2025 State VA 5’8 CG Va Havoc (1offer)
Riley Hamburger 6’0 Wing Team Takeover
Jaylen Manning Jaylen Manning 5'10" | PF Bishop Ireton | 2025 State VA 5’11 SG elevate elite
Nylah Wilson 5’7 CG Va Havoc