"Electric in the Midrange: The Art of Controlled Chaos"

Kobe Clement

@KobeCHoops

IG: @uno.k0be

6’4”, 170lbs | Class of 2026

Centreville High School (VA)

6A Northern Region

Kobe is fierce, fluid, and flat-out electric, he plays the game with an energy that feels like it could light up a packed gym. He thrives in that in-between zone, the short corner, high post, and elbow, where he turns jab steps, pump fakes, and crafty footwork into buckets. His one-dribble pull-up is smooth and sudden. His spin jumper is simply unfair to defenders. He’s explosive finishing with his left, adjusting mid-air through contact and finishing with authority. His high-post reads are sharp, picking apart double-teams and threading passes to cutters. There's a dynamic flow to his game, a mix of control and chaos that keeps defenders guessing and crowds buzzing.

Even on a senior-heavy squad in Virginia’s stacked 6A Northern Region, he found ways to leave a mark. In just 5 minutes per game, he averaged 4.6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, and nearly a steal, strong numbers for the limited floor time. Every minute was packed with purpose. His biggest improvement was in his skill expansion, and he now finishes more confidently with his right and has added a catch-and-shoot three to his arsenal. But the foundation of that growth is his strength. His offseason focus is centered on building muscle to hold his ground against bigger defenders, tightening his handle to create more off the bounce, and extending his range beyond the arc. He’s grinding daily with Mikan drills, hill sprints, agility ladders, and ball-handling sessions designed to push his separation moves to another level. This spring and summer, he’s playing with New World Vito North on the Made Hoops and Zero Gravity circuits, where he’s looking to score efficiently, win elite-level tournaments, and showcase his versatility to college coaches.

Off the floor, he keeps things close to home with family, friends, and staying locked into the grind. One of the biggest moments of his season came in a packed winter tournament game, drilling a clutch jumper to tie things up against Tuscarora and helping lift his team in overtime. That type of moment isn’t luck, t’s hours of unseen work. What fuels Kobe's fire is defense. Whether its a chase-down block or a fastbreak-triggering steal lights a fire under him. That energy spills over, elevating teammates and flipping games.

When facing adversity, Kobe doesn't fold. He gets vocal. He digs in on defense. He resets the tone. That edge is sharpened by the best advice he’s ever received: “Be a goldfish. Short memory. Play free, stay present, and control your effort.” That message, first delivered by his middle school coach, still guides him when things get tough.

Kobe's goal is to lead Centreville to a district title and make a deep run in the state playoffs. Long term, he’s working to earn a scholarship and eventually play overseas. More than that, he wants to be an example to younger players in his community can look up to.

I assess that Kobe is a competitive, instinctive wing who brings energy, purpose, and impact every time he steps on the floor. He reads the game well, makes smart plays, and is evolving into a more complete player with each rep. His confidence is real, and his motor never stops. For college coaches, he checks a lot of boxes with size, feel, and the ability to make plays on both ends of the floor. He fits in systems that value spacing, unselfishness, and two-way toughness. As he adds strength and range, his ceiling continues to rise.

Next season, expect him to take on a leadership role and a bigger scoring load. With strength training already paying off and his handle and shooting improving, he's tracking toward a breakout year. His potential is sky-high, and he has the tools, the drive, and the mindset to grow into a difference-maker at the next level. Stay tuned.