Baltimore Transfers To Watch (Part 1)
Transferring has become the norm for the high school basketball scene around America. Kids are constantly looking at other schools that will offer them a better situation either for education purposes or playing purposes to boost their stock as a player for collegiate programs. For this series, we’ll take a look at the number of key transfers who should have an impact for their respective teams this upcoming season.
Jamal West | 2020 | St. Frances
The news of West transferring from Dunbar to St. Frances spread quickly, and rightfully so. The 6-foot-5 combo wing was an intricate piece in helping the Poets capture the Class 1A crown last season and cemented himself as one of the top 2020 players in Baltimore. With a relentless motor and explosive athleticism, West adds yet another huge weapon for the Panthers, who will will play a national schedule once again. West has improved on his perimeter skills this summer with Team Thrill, so will likely be featured as a three or four once the season is in full swing. He’s the type of player that can be almost guaranteed for a double-double every outing and will add a much needed defensive presence on the back line for the Panthers.
Dunbar defeats Fairmont Heights to win the 1A State Championship. ‘20 Jamal West recorded 15 pts & 14 reb @HoopMajor @Jamalwest17 @PoetsBasketball pic.twitter.com/WC99X7mrbD
— Adam Ayalew (@AyalewAdam) March 10, 2018
Brandon Murray | 2020 | Poly
After beginning his high school career at Boys’ Latin, Murray transferred to a school up in New York and sat the year out to focus on grades. Now, he returns with an improved body and tremendous athleticism to a Poly team that was in dire need of a replacement for Demetrius Mims (Long Beach State) on the wing. Murray brings toughness, ability to score off the dribble around the rim and relentless effort on the glass to the back-to-back 3A champions. He is one of many important transfers the Engineers brought in to assert their dominance once again in the city and state as a whole.
Marvin Price | 2019 | Patterson
Price is the areas biggest question mark coming into this season. Not that people are questioning his abilities, but whether or not he’ll be 100 percent by the season after suffering a knee injury that kept him sidelined all spring and summer. Price proved to be one of the best players in the state two years ago when he led Patterson to a state title. He spent last season at Huntington Prep where he experienced a fair share of up and downs. Now, he returns home to pick up where he left off after Patterson’s struggles without him.
We Reload.. 2019 @marvinprice_ TeamMelo @D1Circuit /Patterson High@ColbyGHoops @MarcusHelton @all_metelite @AyalewAdam pic.twitter.com/SKnk3bjynk
— TeamMeloBasketball (@Dwayne_Wise) March 5, 2018
Cam Byers | 2020 | Dulaney
If there was a blatant weakness that Dulaney had last year, it was a paint presence on both sides of the floor. In an ideal world, you’d like to have more than one person, but 6-foot-6 Cam Byers brings enough physicality and athleticism to suffice. Byers was forced to play more of a role position for John Carroll last year next to Immanuel Quickely and Montez Mathis. And although this Dulaney team has their fair share of talent with Ryan Conway, Ike Cornish and Che Evans, Byers is the one that takes them to another level. The combination of Byers and Conway will be a problem for most teams. He’ll be counted on to be the bruiser in a Baltimore County league that isn’t filled with many game breakers in the frontcourt.
Marlon Lewis | 2021 | Havre De Grace
I’m standing by the statement of Marlon Lewis being the biggest diamond in the rough. The 6-foot-4 wing may have some of the most explosive athleticism I’ve seen for his size to go with an endless motor. Lewis showed progression in his three-point shot this summer, which only adds to his offensive repertoire and making him more difficult to defend. As a freshman, he was one of three key contributors to Woodlawn’s Baltimore County championship run. As he prepares to play for Havre De Grace in Harford County, don’t be surprised if you see him put up some insane numbers.
@ColbyGHoops this a better angle???? @denissmithjr pic.twitter.com/usHN7XBYNR
— Marlon???? (@Thereallmartyyy) August 17, 2018