Updated 2020 Rankings: Baltimore Prospects (26-50)
Our updated rankings for the 2020 class dropped yesterday. There has been significant movement throughout as players capitalized off of strong endings to their respective high school seasons and have been productive so far this summer. For this set of…
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Continue ReadingOur updated rankings for the 2020 class dropped yesterday. There has been significant movement throughout as players capitalized off of strong endings to their respective high school seasons and have been productive so far this summer.
For this set of articles, I’ll break down the prospects from the Baltimore area that landed in the rankings.
Rahim Ali | 5’11 | Poly/Team Melo
Ranking: No. 27
Ali has always brought high IQ and intensity to the floor, but as he has matured, so has his overall game. The 5-foot-11 floor general led Poly to their third-straight Class 3A state title, all of which he started and played big minutes. The next progressions to look for in Ali’s game is his ability to be a consistent scorer, especially from three. He already can carve up opposing defenses on pick-and-rolls, but if he becomes a threat from three off the dribble, it’ll open up even more for him. Ali’s play has resulted in picking up offers from Siena, Boise State and Towson.
Tyler Brelsford | 6’3 | Mt. St. Joe/New World
Ranking: No. 31
Brelsford capitalized off a big spring with New World that resulted in George Washington inviting him to campus for a visit. During that visit, Brelsford committed. The 6-foot-3 combo guard is a capable shooter from three, but recently I’ve seen improvement as a play-maker off the dribble. I have a strong feeling that this season, we’ll see Brelsford as a play-maker on a consistent basis now that Mt. St. Joe will have to fill the void James Bishop (LSU) left behind.
Mitchell Fischer | 6’7 | Loyola/Team Thrill
Ranking: No. 41
Fischer had a breakout junior season that resulted in him earning a spot on the All-MIAA First Team. Fischer was the catalyst for a Loyola team that made some noise throughout. The 6-foot-7 forward carried that level of play over to spring with Team Thrill and earned offers from Army and Navy. Fischer is primed for a big senior season with his ability to score from the block and outside. He plays with a good motor and can be an impact player on the glass.
Michael Gray | 5’11 | Lake Clifton/Team Thrill
Ranking: No. 45
Gray is one of the more hard-nosed guards you’ll find in the area. The 5-foot-11 guard also makes plays on the football field, so physicality isn’t a problem for him when it comes to finishing among the bigs around the rim. While his jump shot is still a work in progress, Gray can be a streaky shooter as we saw when he led Lake Clifton a state title this past March. If that can become a consistent strength, Gray will be a handful when you consider how hard he competes on the defensive end. He holds one offer from UMass-Lowell.
Brandon Murray | 6’5 | Poly/Team Melo
Ranking: No. 46
Murray exploded onto the scene this past season and caught eyes right away with his elite athleticism. At 6-foot-5 and built like a linebacker, it takes you by surprise to see how athletic he can actually be in the open floor. Murray showed that he can get it going from three as well once he sees one fall. When you watch him play, you can tell he loves the game by how hard he goes on both ends. Murray never quits on a play whether it be a chase-down block, a loose ball or taking a charge.
Ian Wallace | 6’7 | Poly/Team Melo
Ranking: No. 49
This upcoming season will be huge for Wallace. He has finally started to grow into his body and hone in on a skill set that makes him valuable at the next level. At 6-foot-7, Wallace is a great prospect to fill in a 3-and-D type of role. He shoots from three at an efficient clip off the catch and with his size and length, Wallace is a disruptive defender on and off the ball. Wallace recently received his first offer from American, but many low-majors have expressed interest.