John Marshall is one of many high-level high school programs out of Virginia. This past season, they had some young stars on the team, complementing older talent. One of their best players was also one of their underclassmen, and one of the best underclassmen in the nation: Latrell Allmond. Allmond is a versatile defender with the tools and instincts to completely disrupt an opposing gameplan. On top of that, he works on the glass and is developing into a versatile player on the offensive end, too. Despite being a rising junior, he’s been playing up with Team Loaded VA this summer and has proven himself to be one of the best defenders on the 3SSB circuit.
In this interview with Pro Insight’s Zach Welch, Allmond talked about the passing of the torch this past season, the pride and nuanced approach he takes on the defensive end, some college and pro players he studies, his experience playing up with Team Loaded VA 17s, what he learned from watching March Madness this year, and much more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2026 prospect Latrell Allmond, from Southern Pines, NC.:
Pro Insight: What was this past high school season like for you?
Latrell Allmond: This past high school season was a learning experience. Following my freshman year, the expectations were very high for me coming into this high school season. I feel like I held up those expectations and I met the standard. But it was great, though. I had a great senior – Damon Thompson – another high-scoring guy, [and] another great senior next to me. And we just combined with each other, and I feel like our high school season was really great. We came up a little short of a national championship, but we fought hard and that's all I can ask for.
PI: How did you manage and play through those high expectations you mentioned?
LA: The work I put in. I mean, I trust what I do. I believe you prepare for the moment before the moment even comes. So when I was out there it was just, “well, I've seen it before.” It was nothing new.
PI: What is that preparation? What's the work that you're doing when no one's watching?
LA: I lift early in the mornings, before school. After school I workout with my trainer, Coach Ward. He has been training me since I was in 7th or 8th grade. So that guy's really been in my court, he knows my game and my game just developed. He's seen my body transform.
PI: What do you think was the biggest takeaway from playing with those upperclassmen you mentioned?
LA: I would say this year it was more [that] the torch is kind of being shortly passed to me. This year, Damon Thompson was more like teaching me the ins and outs; showing me how to be a leader, lead the guys and lead a practice, and making sure everybody's straight when the coaches are not looking. So I feel like taking on that leadership role and learning it was a big step for me.
PI: What was that transition like for you? Did it come naturally or did you have to work at it and learn from people around you, like the seniors?
LA: Yeah. I had to learn a lot because I'm a nice and quiet guy. I'm not the kind of guy that steps on anybody's toes, but as a leader you have to do that. On any winning program, there's going to be someone that's going to keep everybody in place. So I feel like, yeah, that was definitely a little uncomfortable for me at first, but even now I'm still going through it. I feel way, WAY more comfortable being a leader now than at the beginning of the season.
PI: And how about on the court? How do you feel like your game developed and evolved over the course of the past season?
LA: I trust my handle much more now. Getting in the gym with my guy, Coach Ward. It was back in January, he told me it's time to take a leap – a big leap – and ever since then, we've been attacking, attacking, attacking. Every day chopping wood, carrying water. So it's just getting after it and trying to get better and better every day. So I feel like my game has totally transformed into something else. And I can't wait to see what else is in store.
PI: As you're going through that transformation process are there any college or pro players that you're watching and looking to keep shaping your game after?
LA: Yeah, I watch a lot of guys. I watch Kawhi Leonard. UVA’s Ryan Dunn. I watch a lot of Zion Williamson. Big forwards – those two-way players, because I take pride in defense and making winning plays and that extra effort, that extra kick to get the team going. I take pride in that. So those kind of guys, I like watching. With Kawhi Leonard, he can go back-to-the-basket, he can face-up, and has a nice mid-range pull-up. Zion is a big forward, who plays a kind of bully ball, but also has some finesse to his game. I try to bring just a balance of everything because defense keeps you on the court. Once you're there, it's up to you to see what you can do with the opportunity. That's what I take advantage of every day.
PI: And you've referred a few times to the pride you take in the defensive end. Why is that? Where does that come from?
LA: I would say it comes from self confidence. Like, the man in front of me is not going to score on me. He can score on anybody else or anywhere else on the court, just not on me. And recently, I just won the 3SSB Defensive MVP of Session I. And yeah, that's really what it comes from, just making sure the man in front of me doesn't score. I definitely take pride in that. When I was younger, my trainer – Coach Ward – was like, “totally take pride in flying around.” So as I get older, I'm not going to be in the post a lot; I'm going to be on the wing. So I take pride in flying around and I got used to that early so once it's time to get there, it won't be anything new. That's always something he would tell me.
PI: Looking back at this past season, are there moments that stand out as highlights or favorite memories?
LA: I would say it had to be the Outer Banks tournament. We played against Myers Park. I'm really from the southern part of North Carolina and that's a big rivalry from where I'm from and, you know, getting a chance to get to play those guys I had grown up with was amazing to me because we don’t really go back home. In North Carolina, we played them, so we met them out there in Outer Banks and it was just great. I had an amazing game. I played in front of my family and that's probably one of the great moments; that was a great game for me and I really enjoyed that.
PI: And are there any off court moments that stand out as favorite memories from this season?
LA: There's a lot of off the court memories, just being with my seniors. Man, those are great guys. Every time that we were with each other, it was always a great moment and there were a lot of them so I can’t name a specific one.
PI: And now, looking back at the USA minicamp in October, how was that experience for you?
LA: That experience for me, it was actually great because it was my first one. They told me when I had come back from that first one, you’re going to feel a little iffy about it as you try to find your way in, but on the second time you get invited, it's going to go way better. And it definitely was. I feel like I killed the camp the second time. I was definitely one of those standout players at that camp for sure; I definitely stood out for my age group. So yeah, I thought it was an amazing camp.
PI: What do you feel like you showed there?
LA: I feel like I showed my versatility. Like you see me working out right now – my jumper, being able to put the ball on the floor and be a high-level defender, making sure the man in front of me doesn't score, and rebounding for sure.
PI: Is there anything you feel like you learned in these last few months that you want to apply going forward?
LA: I would say one, being a leader at all times, not just sometimes. That's definitely something I can take from that. And just being a great teammate. Being a great teammate can take you a long way.
PI: And now heading into this summer, what are you looking forward to most?
LA: What I'm looking forward to most is making a name for myself, playing 17U, playing up, and just playing against some of the highest competition that the world has. You know, just showcasing my talent in front of college coaches and it helps me pick up my recruitment even more.
PI: And what's that experience like for you – playing up?
LA: You know, the game's a lot more physical. There's less of a whistle. It's more high speed transition basketball. There’s definitely a difference between 17s and the other age groups, for sure.
PI: And then do you have any team-wide or individual goals that you have your sights set on for the summer?
LA: Yeah, the team and I would say our team goal is just go undefeated on the circuit and win and bring Team Loaded the adidas 3SSB Championship. That's the goal from day one. So that's one of our goals, and I would say go undefeated in the whole summer and pick up some more offers.
PI: What do you think it takes to go undefeated and win the whole thing?
LA: Coach Blackwell talks about those 50/50 balls; those 10% games. The team that has the least errors is going to come out on top. Just staying focused and diving on our assignment and playing as a team; as one. I feel like on the team I'm on with the 17U, it's probably some of the most unselfish guys I’ve probably ever played with. You know, we all love each other dearly and we just love to see each other win. So we can't ask for anything more than that, and we all play hard for each other. We play for our brother beside us and that's a great team to be a part of and I'm happy to be there for sure.
PI: Can you walk us through what the first session was like for you as a team and for you individually? What do you feel like you guys got to show and learn along the way?
LA: The first session was a learning experience for me because one, that was my first time playing 17U and we already were playing the best four teams on the circuit the very first session. So I knew it was going to be like a lot of odds coming into that. It was just staying true to myself and never backing out of the moment and just being that dog Team Loaded believed in; being that person that I am. Don't try to be somebody that you're not.
PI: You mentioned the recognition that you got for your work on the defensive end. How did it feel to have that be your first time playing at this level and already be getting that recognition?
LA: It felt great. Shout out to Coach Ward. He really expresses that being able to fly around and being able to guard 1-through-5, that's a big thing. So that was just great, playing some of the best players in the country and just being able to see my talent getting recognized by multiple scouts and analysts throughout the whole circuit was great.
PI: You mentioned the transformation you're going under with your coach. What areas of your game are you tuned in on improving over the summer?
LA: Of course, everybody likes a better shooter. I always want to be a better shooter. You can always get better at shooting and I would say being a shooter and also being able to play with pace, being able to move on my time and not someone else's time, and being able to read the game a whole lot better because that's what I'm about. You want to be able to make people around you better and just have extra effort, that extra drive to finish out a game.
PI: What is the process like for you to try to improve playing at your pace and, you know, reading the game more?
LA: The process is just time in the gym. That's pretty much what it really is. Just time in the gym and being consistent with your work. Being consistent with your craft and just getting in those hours to build up.
PI: You mentioned how you're hoping to see your recruitment continue to pick up over the course of the summer. Can you walk us through kind of where that's at so far and how that's been going?
LA: You know, recently I just picked up an offer from Louisville. I didn't really get any this high school season. I really don't think any college coaches really came to the high school this season for this year, honestly. But I feel like it's going to pick up tremendously this summer with me playing 17s and me just being the person that I am. And I went on a visit to UNC last summer. They hadn't seen me play at all last year – they couldn’t make it – so this summer they are definitely going to see me, for sure.
PI: That was a while back, but how was that visit last summer?
LA: They showed me around the school. The campus is great, people are great, and I met the head coach of UNC, Hubert Davis. Coach Sean May, great guy. And a couple of the Team Loaded 15s coaches, Terrence Newby and Ed Cota. Those are great guys, UNC legends. The UNC print on Team Loaded is definitely here for sure, with Armando Bacot being one of those guys from Loaded and his trainer is my trainer, Coach Sonny Ward. One of his youth trainers is one of my trainers who also trains his little brother. So I feel like that UNC print is here on Team Loaded.
PI: And are there any schools that you’re hoping to hear more from or see get in the mix for you?
LA: I would say UNC, of course. Indiana State, Florida, Texas, probably. NC State, too. Those guys are great people.
PI: And where you're at right now, what are some factors that are important to you in a college?
LA: I'd say it's got to have that home feel for me, great people around me, and have a coach that's going to push me to the next level to be the best player I can be. Try to make sure Latrell reaches his full potential.
PI: And were you watching March Madness this year?
LA: Yes, I was.
PI: What were some of your takeaways from that?
LA: I would say time and possessions. Possessions matter a lot, for sure, and every possession counts. And I would say you have to be able to shoot the ball, especially nowadays. Anything we do, we have to be able to shoot the ball. If not, teams like UConn are going to flood you and they are going to get you up out of there quick. And defense.
PI: Did you have any favorite moments from the tournament?
LA: I would have to say it was when the guy from Purdue came in with that dunk in the National Championship Game. That was an eye-opener for sure.
PI: If you could kind of walk away from this summer leaving one takeaway in the minds of coaches and fans, what would you want it to be?
LA: I want them to say that “that guy's definitely a team player, he's an amazing teammate, he plays hard, he gives it 100%, and he rebounds the heck out of the ball.”
PI: Heading into the next high school season, what's your kind of mentality? What's your mindset? As you said, the torch is being passed and you're going to be fully taking that leadership role. Where's your head at?.
LA: I definitely want to win the national championship for sure and the state championship and hopefully be Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Virginia. That's just where my head’s at. Those three goals right there are definitely in the back of my mind, for sure.
PI: What do you think it's going to take to reach those goals next year?
LA: I think it's going to take time in the gym, time with my teammates and time with myself. Mentally to get through it, because that's a long season for sure. The high school season is definitely a long season, so being able to stick through that, fight through any adversity and injury, and stay consistent with my work and my craft. I feel like I should definitely get it going.
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