Updated 2019 Player Rankings: Baltimore Prospects (1-25)
Yesterday, we updated our 2019 player rankings as we loom closer to the high school season. After a hectic but productive summer, it allowed us to get a better feel on the players in the Maryland/D.C. area. For this series…
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Continue ReadingYesterday, we updated our 2019 player rankings as we loom closer to the high school season. After a hectic but productive summer, it allowed us to get a better feel on the players in the Maryland/D.C. area. For this series of articles, I’ll break down the prospects from the Baltimore area who made the list, starting with those who appeared from 1-25.
James Bishop | 6’2 | Mt. St. Joe/Team Thrill
Ranking: No. 4
I saw another scout tweeting about Bishop’s game the other day and thought it described it very accurately. “Effortless scorer.” The 6-foot-2 guard has proven to put up crooked numbers in the scoring column against the best of the best. From lighting up the UAA Circuit once again this summer, to having a strong showing at the NBA Top 100 Camp and finally, ending the summer strong at Will Barton Elite Camp, Bishop has been everywhere and had his chance to prove his worth. He recently cut his list of schools to Marquette, St. John’s, VCU, Colorado, LSU and Seton Hall.
RJ Blakney | 6’5 | St. Maria Goretti/Team BBC
Ranking : No. 7
Blakney is one of the most intriguing prospects you’ll find on our player rankings. He has high-major athleticism and scoring ability around the rim. Where he shines brightest is in transition. Blakney attacks the rim with no regards for who is contesting him. His jumpshot is still a work in progress from three, but he has improve on his mid-range jumper off the dribble. Defensively, he has the tools to be very effective. When locked in, he can shut down a perimeter player. When in help situations, he becomes a rim protector with his ability to rise up and contest or distort opponent’s shots.
https://twitter.com/AyalewAdam/status/1011408947138453505
Chase Paar | 6’10 | Glenelg Country/Team Thrill
Ranking: No. 12
Nobody experienced more sudden attention than Paar did this summer. The 6-foot-10 forward recently discussed the cutting of his school list to five with our own Houston Wilson, which included a few high-major programs. Paar is a great finisher around the basket and has adopted a three-point shot into his arsenal as well. The lefty caught eyes of many high-major programs on the UAA Circuit this summer after displayed his versatility on both ends. He isn’t a guy that you’ll see being featured as a point-forward type of role, but his ability to effectively guard pick-and-rolls and run the floor in transition to go with his size, greatly increased his stock.
Abdou Tsimbila | 6’8 | St. Maria Goretti/Mid-Atlantic Select
Ranking: No. 13
Tsimbila was a dominant force in just about every game he played in. The Penn State commit is still a bit raw in terms of overall skill, but has brute strength and motor that never seems to stop. He finishes strong around the rim and when he isn’t throwing it down, he is displaying soft touch. The 6-foot-8 forward has the ability to completely control a game with his willingness to rebound on both ends. He’ll play a major role for what should be a very good St. Maria Goretti team led by himself and Blakney this upcoming season.
https://twitter.com/AyalewAdam/status/1016431741794422784
Marvin Price | 6’5 | Patterson
Ranking: No. 15
Price has the most question marks surrounding him considering he didn’t play at all this spring/summer with a knee injury. After starting off strong with Huntington Prep last season, Price makes the return home to Patterson where he led them to a 2A state title two seasons ago. There’s no doubt that when healthy, Price is an impact player. With Division I interest from low-mid major programs, all eyes will be on the 6-foot-5 versatile wing to see how he bounces back from injury.
Ziggy Reid | 6’5 | St. Paul’s/Team Thrill
Ranking: No. 21
Reid is one of the more underrated and overlooked prospects in the area. At 6-foot-5 and ability to score from all three levels, there’s little doubt that he can make an impact at the Division II or low-major Division I level. Reid had a great summer with Team Thrill on the UAA Circuit and had spurts where he looked to be a sure-fire prospect. This season for Reid will be very important as he hopes to get off to a hot, quick start for a St. Paul’s team with a brand new coaching staff.
https://twitter.com/AyalewAdam/status/1018897017098076160
Logan Curtis | 6’3 | Calvert Hall/Team BBC
Ranking: No. 22
In my opinion, no one in the area improved as much as Curtis did over the summer. Even after announcing his commitment to East Carolina, the 6-foot-3 guard continued to work on his offensive repertoire and it has shown in recent events that he’s played in. Curtis has always been efficient shooting from three off the catch and finishing around the rim, but where he has grown the most is creating his own shot off the dribble. His high basketball IQ allows him to make the correct reads in almost any situation. Defensively, he’s a fierce on-ball defender. He communicates well off the ball and has good anticipation in the passing lanes.
Rajeir Jones | 6’3 | St. Frances/Team Thrill
Ranking: No. 25
If there’s a program out there that is looking for a lockdown defender on the perimeter, than Jones is your guy. He can fill a role of being a 3-and-D type of player that has been valued in the NBA today. Jones, who won BCL Defensive Player of the Year last season, is always rewarded with guarding the other team’s best player. Even if said player has a high scoring game, the points aren’t going to come easily. He moves laterally very well and uses his chest when his match up looks to drive to avoid getting a foul called on him. He is always the second one off the floor when contesting a shot. In ball-screen situations, Jones almost every time fights over the top to avoid a switch, and does so successfully. Offensively, he is efficient from beyond the arc, but still has the athletic ability to finish a dunk when the opportunity is presented. Jones holds offers from Coastal Carolina, Norfolk State and Loyola (MD).