Paul VI’s Trevor Keels already has accomplished a lot, but his story is just beginning

For decades, the DMV has been a hotbed for basketball talent. From Kevin Durant to Victor Oladipo to Rebekkah Brunson, the region has been home to some of the world's best basketball players, and that doesn't look to end anytime soon. So, who's next? Throughout the week, NBC Sports Washington will answer that question, taking look at the next crop of players creating a buzz in the DMV.

Trevor Keels has a combination of size and skill that makes him one of the most highly-touted recruits in the country. According to 247Sports, the Paul VI Catholic High School shooting guard is the No. 1 rated boys basketball player in the state of Virginia and he ranks No. 14 nationally in the ESPN 100.

In his three seasons at Paul VI, Keels has played an integral role in the Panthers' success. As a freshman, he earned all-conference honors in helping PVI post a 22-6 regular-season record and reach the WCAC semifinals. During his sophomore campaign, Keels averaged 15.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and the Panthers finished second in the national Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament. For his efforts, Keels was recognized on the 2018-19 USA TODAY ALL-USA Virginia Second Team, MaxPreps Boys Basketball Sophomore All-American First Team, All-WCAC First Team and was named WCAC Co-Player of the Year.

Few student athletes can match the tools Trevor Keels has available at his disposal.

"Trevor does a little bit of everything; his versatility is amazing," PVI head coach Glenn Farello said. "He does a great job of recognizing what needs to be done and he goes out and gets it accomplished. Whether it's on the defensive end, getting a rebound on the back side, leading the break, finding a teammate or even when he needs to step up and go be a playmaker -- get to the rim or knock down a three-point shot -- it always seems like Trevor finds a way to make a big play in a big moment. That's what he's done for us for three years now."

As a junior, Keels helped lead PVI to the WCAC championship game where the Panthers matched up with top-seeded DeMatha. After trailing throughout, in the second half, Keels got hot and his sharp shooting nearly swung the game in the Panthers' favor. Although PVI eventually fell to the Stags, with the help of Keels, the Panthers did go on to win the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association championship.

The mark of great players is their dedication to getting better. Keels spends his summers working on his game. In 2018 and 2019, he participated in the USA Junior National Team minicamps, and he also can be seen sharpening his skills with the famed AAU program Team Takeover, playing with and against some of the top student athletes in the nation.

Keels already has accomplished more than most student athletes ever allow themselves to dream of. He is a consensus 5-star athlete who holds offers from some of the top programs in the country, including Duke, Virginia, Michigan and Villanova. Thus far, he has made a name for himself both regionally and on a national level, but Farello believes he's just beginning to write his story.

"The kid is just a winner, and I believe he's going to leave a great legacy here at Paul VI. What he's been able to accomplish the last three years has just been fantastic," Farello said.

"As he progresses as a senior captain, I think it'll be fun to watch the impact he has on his teammates. Being so much more outward with the basketball IQ that he has and sharing his experiences with them."

Keels has game for days. If he's able to impart that wisdom on his teammates, the entire basketball world will be put on notice.

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