2019 Player Rankings: Baltimore Prospects Part One
With the releasing of our updated player rankings for the classes of 2018-2020, the time has come to take a deeper dive into each class. We dissected the Baltimore prospects from 2018 and where they currently stand in the rankings, now it’s time to move onto 2019.
As a whole, 2019 isn’t as deep as 2018 or 2020, but it still offers some great talent. There have been a few new comers and transfers that’ll appear on the list, and with a plethora of players transferring out of state, a shake-up in the rankings were inevitable.
James Bishop | 6’3 | Mt. St. Joseph/Team Thrill
Previous Ranking: 14
New Ranking: 7
Bishop saw a bump in his ranking after a productive AAU season with Team Thrill on the UAA Circuit. The 6’3 guard can score with the best of them, especially from outside. The crafty left-handed sniper can mix it up well and finish efficiently from mid-range and around the rim. This upcoming season for Mt. St. Joe, look for Bishop to play some point guard throughout the course of games. Adapting floor general skills make him more versatile and attractive to college programs. However, colleges are all over Bishop already as he holds four offers from VCU, Kansas State, Temple and Tulsa.
https://twitter.com/RealJB10/status/861048687316881409
Yavuz Gultekin | 6’7 | John Carroll/Mid-Atlantic Select
Previous Ranking: Unranked
New Ranking: 9
Gultekin came over from Turkey about six months ago, which explains the reason he was unranked before. It doesn’t take long when watching the 6’7 versatile wing to realize he is a top ten talent in the state for the 2019 class. The left-hander can score from all three levels. What’s most impressive about his game is intensity that he attacks the rim with. Recently at the DMVelite80, Gultekin had a handful of dunks that brought the crowd to their feet. Whether it was on the break or in traffic, he knows to to bring excitement to the game. It’ll be interesting to watch Gultekin play alongside Immanuel Quickley and Montez Mathis this season for the Patriots. If they play to their potential, they’ll be the favorites to take both MIAA and BCL titles.
Logan Curtis | 6’3 | Calvert Hall/Team BBC
Previous Ranking: 26
New Ranking: 12
Curtis had a nice spring/summer with Team BBC and played impressively with Calvert Hall in the St. Paul’s Summer League, which ultimately earned a boost in rank. Curtis may be one of the best defenders in the DMV area. The intensity and toughness he brings is something that every coach hopes for defensively. On offense, he can be lethal from three when left open. The 6’3 guard knows how to anticipate openings especially in transition to spot up for open shots. Make no mistake, he isn’t afraid to take the ball to the basket and finish amongst contact. Curtis has collected interest from a few Division I programs, but has not been offered yet.
Jason Murphy | 6’8 | St. Frances/Team Melo
Previous Ranking: 19
New Ranking: 13
Murphy was one of the big transfers of the 2019 class this summer. The 6’8 big man decided to move to St. Frances to join what will be an uber talented roster. There’s a good chance that Murphy will be named the starting forward alongside Koran Moore for the making of the best frontcourt in the MIAA/BCL. Murphy is an efficient finisher around the rim. He has a solid motor that helps him get easy baskets in transition. Defensively, he’s a shot-blocking presence at all times. As he continues to develop his athleticism, he’ll only become more dominant in each area. Murphy currently holds an offer from Old Dominion and is gaining strong interest from Drexel and St. Joseph’s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll4Qu_-9HSw&t
Ziggy Reid | 6’5 | St. Paul’s/Mid-Atlantic Select
Previous Ranking: Unranked
New Ranking: 14
Reid was left off the last ranking. Should he have been? No, but now that we’ve had plenty of chances to evaluate his game, his high rankings is well deserved. The 6’5 wing lost more than 20 pound over a three month span that unlocked an athletic part of his game that took him to the next level. Reid is the definition of efficient when it comes to scoring. Rarely will you see him take a shot out of his own rythym or the rythym of the offense. Due to his size and physicality, he can also rebound the ball well. Reid will be the go-to option for the Crusaders this season as they look to repeat as MIAA B Conference champions. Multiple Division I programs have inquired about Reid, but have yet to offer.