Ayan Teel discusses his transfer to Bishop O’Connell: Team Prospects
Ayan Teel, 5’8.5″, PG, 2019.
Bishop O’Connell Knights HS. Arlington, VA
Grassroots Team: New World 16U
With a heavy heart Ayan discussed his transfer from Riverdale Baptist to Bishop O’Connell, “This was a very hard decision for me. I love Riverdale Baptist, Coach Wilson & the entire Coaching Staff, the school & administration, & my teammates. My basic reasoning for the transfer is that I think Bishop O’Connell is a better overall situation for me. I went back & forth between both great schools, and it was a tearful goodbye to Riverdale Baptist. I wish the Crusaders nothing but the best & I will remain in contact.”
We saw Ayan 4 plus times last season, and in the Riverdale Baptist Summer League. Currently we rate Ayan as low mid major with great potential to move up because of his skill-set & athleticism. Last season Ayan formed one of the quickest & fastest back courts in Washington, DC DMV with his Riverdale Baptist teammate Donovan Toatley. Donovan just committed to D1 University of Tennessee Chattanooga & we awarded him 5th Team All DMV I-495 All Star Team this past spring. Ayan has potential to be named All DMV I-495 All Star team this season and his back-court teammate at Bishop O’Connell, Xavier Johnson is a 1st team candidate. The Johnson & Teel back court will now form one of the quickest & most explosive back courts in the Washington, DC DMV.
This spring & summer Ayan played very well on the Grassroots circuit for New World 16 U & in the Riverdale Baptist Summer league where the Crusaders won the title & went undefeated. On the Adidas Circuit, Ayan played 2 excellent games vs the highly regarded NJ Playz averaging 20 ppg & 6 assists as New World won by 6 points & lost the final by one. Since we lasted chatted with Ayan he has put on 5 pounds of lean muscle & now weighs in at 162 pounds. He is putting in a lot of work for his basketball skills & strength & conditioning. Ayan & his Trainer Evin workout 5 plus days per week & he is currently on his strength phase of his periodization strength & conditioning format which includes his total body. Ayan adds, ” In addition to my S& C, we do a lot off ball handling and shooting drills. I get up 500 shots per day with the shooting gun, working on my pull up game & shots off the dribble. I can improvements in finishing at the rim thru contact, my jump shot range & consistency, & in my strength & explosion. I am very excited & looking forward to playing for Bishop O’Connell this season in the WCAC Conference.”
Both Xavier Johnson & Ayan are considered true PGs, but both both players can play off the ball. Ayan says, “In college I project as a PG, but I I can shoot on or off the dribble from 22 feet & play as WG or CG if needed. Since I am finishing at the rim better, I can score from all 3 levels. As a PG, I have the ability to run our team in a fast paced transition game or in the half court. I am not sure how Coach Wooten will play me this year, and I am fine with coming off the bench or starting.”On defense Ayan takes great pride & says,”I study my opponent tendencies & weaknesses. I pick my spots & I usually can get several steals per game. I like to play tough on ball defense & I can pick my man full court applying heavy ball pressure.”
This summer Ayan attended the Old Dominion Monarchs basketball camp where he received some very good experience & he ran a lot of 5 on 5 scrimmages. For the remaining last few weeks before school begins, Ayan will run some pick up games at Bowie City gym which is home to many Grassroots & other high school basketball events year round.
An important reminder from Riverdale Baptist will remain with Ayan at Bishop O’Connell & probably the rest of his playing career. Coach Wilson & the Riverdale Baptist Coaching staff & players nicknamed Ayan, “Steady Eddie” for his consistent & heady play. With the addition of “Steady Eddie” Bishop O’Connell will now enter our preseason Top 10 teams in the Washington, DC DMV which is a great honor.
In the classroom Ayan is an excellent student & carries a 3.6 GPA. In college Ayan is very interested in Business & has goals of becoming an Entrepreneur. Ayan considers his mother (Jami) & his Grandmother Rosalind as his role models who done a great job raising Ayan.
Bishop O’Connell Team Overview, Key players 2017/18:
Head Coach: Joseph Wooten.
#2, Xavier Johnson, 6’2″, PG, 2017.
Xavier was a key player @ PG this summer for Team Takeover 17 U who won the Fab48 Tournament in Las Vegas. He has developed into a high major recruit @ PG & has finalized his top 6 schools which are: Creighton, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Nebraska, South Florida & Washington. Xavier is one the fastest & quickest PGs in the DMV & one of the best rim attackers. He won the MVP of the DeMatha Summer League, and in one game he converted 17-21 free throws. Xavier has high motor & can throw down highlight real dunks in transition or from the half-court. His basketball IQ & defense are outstanding.
#22, Matthew Becht, 6’3″, WG, 2017.
Matthew had an outstanding summer in the DeMatha BSN Summer League & he is recognized as one of the best shooters in the DMV. Matthew he has added attacking the rim off the dribble, & shooting off the dribble to his arsenal. Mathew has committed to Mt. St. Marys of MD who went tot he NCCA Tournament last year.
#35, Jahmal Banks, 6’6″, W, 2020.
Jahmal played on the Knights varsity as a true freshmen & this summer displayed that he is a D1 talent. Jahmal is an excellent athlete who can score from all 3 levels, rebound & defend. He has a great upside is huge & could start this season.
#42, Charlie Webber, 6’7.5″, PF, 2019.
Charlie is will be an impact player for O’Connell after transferring from Huntington HS in MD. He plays with a high motor & he can score down low, in the mid range & perimeter. Charlie can mix it up in the post & he is a very good re-bounder .We think Charlie could grow a few more inches, and he is already a D1 player with a great upside.
#32, Jake Berry, 6’7″, F, 2020.
Jake is a highly regarded 1st baseman & pitcher baseball prospect in addition to being an excellent basketball player. It has not been determined if Jake will focus on baseball only or continue to play both sports. From our Virginia evaluation team, “Jake is a lefty. Stretches the floor with his jumper, but can also score inside. Very well built, and has a solid base. Good hands. Runs the floor, and displays good balance.”