Top 10 Spiders from Richmond area

[UR80sfan]

I thought this was a great article in the RTD reviewing the top 10 U of R hoop players over the past 40 years. Hopefully Jason Nelson replaces one of these guys someday. BTW, the RTD sells a sports only subscription that is very inexpensive.

Michael Perry, 6-5, Thomas Jefferson High
Peter Woolfolk, 6-5, Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe High
Justin Harper, 6-10, Meadowbrook High
ShawnDre’ Jones, 5-10, Richmond native
Darien Brothers, 6-3, Benedictine
Mike Winiecki, 6-8, Monacan
Nick Sherod, 6-4, St. Christopher’s
Ryan Butler, 6-6, Douglas Freeman
Trey Davis, 6-4, Benedictine
De’Monte Buckingham, 6-4, Henrico

 

[MrTbone]

I know ShawnDre has Richmond relatives/roots but I think it’s a stretch to say he’s from here. Perhaps they were struggling to identify 10 impact players.

 

[spider23]

Jeff Butler

 

[SFspidur]

I know ShawnDre has Richmond relatives/roots but I think it’s a stretch to say he’s from here. Perhaps they were struggling to identify 10 impact players.

He grew up in Highland Springs and moved to Texas just a few days before starting high school. Even then, he lived in Richmond, Texas.

 

[MrTbone]

He grew up in Highland Springs and moved to Texas just a few days before starting high school. Even then, he lived in Richmond, Texas.

I didn’t know that. So a Richmonder by way of Texas. Sold.

 

[GKiller]

Jeff Butler

He didn’t grew up in Richmond unlike his son. Jeff is from Greensburg PA outside the Pitts.

 

[SpiderTrap]

Hopefully this list continues to grow. I think Richmond and Central Virginia along with the Tidewater area are good places to recruit. And by getting good local kids to come to UR AND have success - it makes the next crop of recruits take a look at UR. I always feel like Richmond has a few top 100 players or close to top 100 players each year - but we are rarely in the mix. Guys like Beran from Collegiate who ended up at Northwestern or Bamisile from Monacan - both top 100 guys who I don't think we really had a shot with. Of course winning helps a lot - but also, if you have other local guys come to your school - guys these top 100 players have played against frequently or played with in AAU or High School - you better your chances of landing one of these kids.

 

[Spiderstew1962]

He grew up in Highland Springs and moved to Texas just a few days before starting high school. Even then, he lived in Richmond, Texas.

I think that seven states have a Richmond.

 

[SFspidur]

I think that seven states have a Richmond.

It's a lot more than that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond#United_States

 

[spider23]

It's a lot more than that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond#United_States

haha, the last town I drive through before going to see us play at URI is Richmond, RI

 

[urmite]

It's a lot more than that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond#United_States

Four in Wisconsin?

and Richmond College is a school...in Sri Lanka?

 

[SFspidur]

and Richmond College is a school...in Sri Lanka?

Thanks to British colonialism.

 

[97spiderfan]

I thought this was a great article in the RTD reviewing the top 10 U of R hoop players over the past 40 years. Hopefully Jason Nelson replaces one of these guys someday. BTW, the RTD sells a sports only subscription that is very inexpensive.

Michael Perry, 6-5, Thomas Jefferson High
Peter Woolfolk, 6-5, Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe High
Justin Harper, 6-10, Meadowbrook High
ShawnDre’ Jones, 5-10, Richmond native
Darien Brothers, 6-3, Benedictine
Mike Winiecki, 6-8, Monacan
Nick Sherod, 6-4, St. Christopher’s
Ryan Butler, 6-6, Douglas Freeman
Trey Davis, 6-4, Benedictine
De’Monte Buckingham, 6-4, Henrico

Two quibbles. SDJ didn't play his high school ball in Richmond, that to me is a prerequisite for being on this list (I didn't make the list and the RTD isn't asking me, but it is my opinion). Secondly, Buck. I love Buck, everyone knows that, but he played 2 years at UR before being kicked off the team. Need to find somebody other than that to be on your Top 10 list.

 

[Gallipoli]

My favorites- Paris, TN and Paris, Tx. Let's not forget about Paris, Virginia.

 

[UR80sfan]

Hopefully this list continues to grow. I think Richmond and Central Virginia along with the Tidewater area are good places to recruit. And by getting good local kids to come to UR AND have success - it makes the next crop of recruits take a look at UR. I always feel like Richmond has a few top 100 players or close to top 100 players each year - but we are rarely in the mix. Guys like Beran from Collegiate who ended up at Northwestern or Bamisile from Monacan - both top 100 guys who I don't think we really had a shot with. Of course winning helps a lot - but also, if you have other local guys come to your school - guys these top 100 players have played against frequently or played with in AAU or High School - you better your chances of landing one of these kids.

Spidertrap, I agree with most of what you have here. We seem to have significantly enhanced our recruiting starting with the Sherod class. I am not sure Bamisile could have made it past our admissions. He was a St. Christopher's student that transferred to a school in Florida for basketball. For whatever reason, he decided to switch back to the Richmond area and I don't believe academically was able to make it back in to St. Christopher's.

 

[SpiderTrap]

How about this list - local Richmond kids that UR didn't get or that you would have liked to see UR get?

I am not aware of the Bamisile academics situation but your point is valid. All I would say is that if he was able to gain admission to St. Christoper in the first place (even if it was just for hoops) and then was able to get admission into VA Tech - I see no reason why he shouldn't be allowed admission to UR. But thats a different argument. But I think we should be targeting those type of kids - top 100 local kids. Maybe they want to stay close to home. Maybe they want to be the big fish in smaller pond. Maybe they have teammates or AAU rivals coming to UR that they know would be great to finally team up with. Just think we should hit the local market as we have as it will pay dividends down the road.

 

[GKiller]

How about this list - local Richmond kids that UR didn't get or that you would have liked to see UR get?

I am not aware of the Bamisile academics situation but your point is valid. All I would say is that if he was able to gain admission to St. Christoper in the first place (even if it was just for hoops) and then was able to get admission into VA Tech - I see no reason why he shouldn't be allowed admission to UR. But thats a different argument.

& Bamisile was original commit to Northwestern. If he can get into Northwestern I think he can get back into St. Chris. Granted he decommitted but sounds like his choice not NW. What 80sfan speculates doesn't seem plausible to me unless he has some very direct knowledge.

As far as local kids that were legit to possibly come to UR, I think Brad Burgess is at the top. Rumor says could have had him but we screwed it up. Chris Moss is another. He was a Beilein verbal who backed out and then went to WVA. Think that stung JB. He had pretty good career at WVU tho may have had off court stuff if I recall; we also beat him in NIT. But he was the kind of skilled big body inside guy we didn't get very often. Probably would have put up some numbers here who knows.

97 - your point on top 10 is valid but who is #11. Who else have we had that was decent and from the area? Could call it the Top 10 or the Only 10. I just can't think of anyone else who would be on the list. Maybe someone from the 70s, an era I don't know. Certainly pre Robins Center there are individuals like Warren Mills who had number retired but the criteria from JOC was start of play in Robins Center.

 

[whampas]

Kenny Foster, Bobby Ukrop

 

[Ferrum Spider]

Hard to take this seriously when they don’t even put Johnny Moates on it. What an absolute joke and an abdication of studying UR basketball history.

 

[GKiller]

Hard to take this seriously when they don’t even put Johnny Moates on it. What an absolute joke and an abdication of studying UR basketball history.

Would be except it’s from 1972 forward when Robins Center opened. JOC was clear on that & knows those older players. No doubt many from that era would be on it. Add Wilton Ford too. But mills ukrop foster moates ford all ineligible.

It’s nothing to take seriously either but I can’t think of the 11th from 1972-2020.

 

[Ferrum Spider]

Would be except it’s from 1972 forward when Robins Center opened. JOC was clear on that & knows those older players. No doubt many from that era would be on it. Add Wilton Ford too. But mills ukrop foster moates ford all ineligible.

It’s nothing to take seriously either but I can’t think of the 11th from 1972-2020.

Guess it helps to read the entire headline before spewing hot takes...

 

[97spiderfan]

& Bamisile was original commit to Northwestern. If he can get into Northwestern I think he can get back into St. Chris. Granted he decommitted but sounds like his choice not NW. What 80sfan speculates doesn't seem plausible to me unless he has some very direct knowledge.

As far as local kids that were legit to possibly come to UR, I think Brad Burgess is at the top. Rumor says could have had him but we screwed it up. Chris Moss is another. He was a Beilein verbal who backed out and then went to WVA. Think that stung JB. He had pretty good career at WVU tho may have had off court stuff if I recall; we also beat him in NIT. But he was the kind of skilled big body inside guy we didn't get very often. Probably would have put up some numbers here who knows.

97 - your point on top 10 is valid but who is #11. Who else have we had that was decent and from the area? Could call it the Top 10 or the Only 10. I just can't think of anyone else who would be on the list. Maybe someone from the 70s, an era I don't know. Certainly pre Robins Center there are individuals like Warren Mills who had number retired but the criteria from JOC was start of play in Robins Center.

Good question. I couldn't come up with another candidate either. Granted my knowledge is from mid 90's on and later only.

 

[SFspidur]

Yeah, I mean, I like Trey and everything, but when he makes the top 10, you know there's not a heck of a lot of other options.

 

[urmite]

This thread has me wondering... when did we add hometown to the roster?
Sports Reference only shows copies through 1991-1992 and it wasn't there yet.

 

[Gallipoli]

Andrew White III, the local Richmond product, who never played for the Spiders. Shouldn't he be an honorary mention at least?

 

[Spiders05]

Andrew White III, the local Richmond product, who never played for the Spiders. Shouldn't he be an honorary mention at least?

He's gotten more press on this site than all but 5 or 6 players.

 

[spider23]

I was a Buck fan, but I think AWIII should have a spot, but at least one below Jason Nelson.

 

[Spiderstew1962]

My favorites- Paris, TN and Paris, Tx. Let's not forget about Paris, Virginia.

Don’t forget Parris Island, SC where about 16000 Marine recruits pass through each year.

 

[SpiderRick]

I would like to give a shout out to Kenny Foster (Henrico) and Bobby Boehling (Tucker).

 

[CarolinaSpider]

I would like to give a shout out to Kenny Foster (Henrico) and Bobby Boehling (Tucker).

Always remember the Boehling fight that cleared the benches and his father got involved also

 

[mojo-spider]

shout out for J.D. Harrison and Mike Kizzie

Go Spiders!