Top 250 Expo Early Entries To Watch
September 22, Prep Hoops will be taking over Park School for our annual Top 250 Expo. This is the second year of the event coming to Maryland and after a good showing last year, it’s only expected to improve this time around. With just under a month until the expo, we’re taking some time to look at some of the early entries and who coaches should keep an eye out for when attending.
Will Thomas | 6’5 | ’19 Mervo
Thomas is a skilled guard that can impact the game in multiple ways. At 6-foot-4, the ambidextrous guard brings excitement with his crafty passing and ability to score around the rim. Thomas can score from all three levels, rebound effectively and makes players around him better with his ability to create. He has interest from multiple low-to-mid Division I programs.
Ziggy Reid | 6’5 | ’19 St. Paul’s
Reid has good size at 6-foot-5 and can score with volume. He’s efficient in catch-and-shoot situations, but has become much improved in his ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot from 15 feet and in. Reid is coming off of a productive summer with Team Thrill that included a couple of scoring outbreaks. He has a couple of Division II offers, but low majors should definitely take note.
David Brown | 6’4 | ’21 McDonogh
Brown is a transfer from St. Mary’s Ryken where he didn’t get an opportunity to fully showcase his capabilities. After a very good summer with Team Durant, Brown looks to make a splash for a young, but very skilled McDonogh team. Brown has high potential to be a coveted prospect in the area with his ability to score, while also filling whatever role the team needs to win games.
Jared Billups | 6’5 | ’21 McDonogh
Billups is another young, exciting piece that McDonogh will have this season. Unlike Brown, Billups was at McDonogh last season and on the varsity roster, but missed almost the entire season with a patella injury. After a successful spring and summer with Team BBC, Billups looks to be an impact player right away as a sophomore. He has added 20 pounds from last season by investing more time in the weight room.
Bobby Carson | 6’5 | ’19 Bowie
Carson is an intriguing prospect because of his length. He still needs to add muscle, but his frame is something that college coaches will be drawn to. He is a decent scorer, but can have impact by the rim defensively again, due to his length. Division II and Division III schools should have Carson on their radar.
Troy Barthelme | 6’7 | ’19 St. Paul’s
Barthelme is currently committed to Air Force for lacrosse, but hasn’t completely ruled out playing basketball at the next level. A 6-foot-7 forward who has a good motor, Barthelme has shown ability to score on the block with his back to the basket. Over the past year, he’s added to his offensive skill set and range on his shot to the point where he’ll knock down the occasional three. Defensively, he moves laterally well and can be a viable switch option in pick-and-roll situations.
Dylin Borden | 5’10 | ’19 Annapolis Area Christian School
Borden is a solid point guard prospect. With the ability to facilitate the offense, hit guys in the spots where they’re most effective, and being a good three-point shooter, Borden should be on the radar of many Division III programs. Borden had a productive summer with New World. He may not have breakout games in the scoring column, but is capable of putting in 14 or so points per game and at an efficient clip.
Terrence Butler | 6’7 | ’21 Bishop McNamara
Butler should be one of the better prospects in the DMV area when he becomes a senior. A 6-foot-7 forward who played this summer with Team Takeover, Butler is a versatile scorer. He has good athleticism that allows him to catch the ball at the high post, put the ball on the floor and finish above the rim. He played in my Super 80 Showcase class of 2021 game last week and impressed in what was the best game of the day.