DMV Roundtable: Predicting the Most Productive 2020 Prospect, Difficult 2021 Rankings, 2022 Stock Risers
Even when the sports world (and much of the every day world as we know it) is currently experiencing a standstill, the coverage from Prep Hoops continues. For this week’s roundtable discussion, the Prep Hoops Maryland trio addresses questions based…
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Continue ReadingEven when the sports world (and much of the every day world as we know it) is currently experiencing a standstill, the coverage from Prep Hoops continues. For this week’s roundtable discussion, the Prep Hoops Maryland trio addresses questions based on the 2020, 2021 and 2022 class. At the conclusion of every high school season we take time to reflect on what we saw to help predict what’s to come. Let’s dive in.
1. As we prepare to dismiss the 2020 class for the 2019-20 season, who outside the top 10 do you see having the most productive season as a freshman for their college program?
Giacubeno: After what I saw this season with Jason Edokpayi Jason Edokpayi 6'7" | PF Mount Saint Joseph | 2020 State MD , I think he has potential to contribute for Fairfield as soon as he steps foot on campus. The 6-foot-7 forward still needs to polish his perimeter defense (lateral quickness) and his feel for the game as a passer, but what he hangs his hat on is his relentless work ethic on the boards, springy athleticism and his shot making from 15 feet and in. Making adjustments to the Division I level can always be difficult for frontcourt players, but I’m confident in Edokpayi to get comfortable quickly and be a main staple somewhere in the rotation.
Ayalew: I expect Colin Smalls Colin Smalls 6'0" | CG St. Andrew's | 2020 State MD to be an impact player right away at American. Their standout point guard, Sa’eed Nelson is graduating, essentially leaving Smalls with plenty of opportunities to make a strong impression from day one.
Wilson: I am going to go with Oumar Koureissi Oumar Koureissi 6'9" | PF National Christian | 2020 State MD . Right now he is currently uncommitted and we have him ranked at 21 in the local 2020 class. Depending on where he ends up going for college, I think he is a prospect that could impact his team from day one. Koureissi has good versatility standing at 6’9 and can do a lot at both ends of the floor around the rim.
Giacubeno: Julian Reese Julian Reese 6'8" | C St. Frances | 2021 State #109 Nation MD was one that I struggled with only because of the potential he offers. The 6-foot-9 forward had a productive season and took home Defensive Player of the Year honors in the BCL, but I wanted to see more aggression and progression with his offensive game to keep him in the top five. Too often he’s settling for jump shots when he can take one or two more dribbles and use his length for easy, efficient looks at the rim. Reese has the make up to be a coveted prospect not only locally in the 2021 class, but nationally as well.
Ayalew: Jao Ituka Jao Ituka 6'2" | SG Gaithersburg | 2021 MD from Gaithersburg. He’s been remarkably productive throughout his high school career, but I wonder how his game will translate to the next level. I don’t think he’s a true point guard and that hurts him given his size. His shooting has improved, but I don’t think it’s improved enough to consider him a true floor spacer. While he certainly has the intangibles to be a good college player, I struggle to see a clear picture of where exactly he can play at the next level.
Wilson: David Brown III David Brown III 6'5" | SF Bishop McNamara | 2021 State MD . Going into the season I thought David could possibly see a bump in the rankings but that was not the case in this recent update and part of that is due to the fact he faced a major injury early on the season. With the uncertainty going into this AAU season, he might not be able to showcase his game to see an increase in the next update which played into the part that he has been a little difficult to figure out where exactly he should be slotted.
Giacubeno: Christian Winborne Christian Winborne 6'2" | CG Gilman | 2022 State #199 Nation MD was the most consistent sophomore in the Baltimore area for an improved Gilman team. He stepped up and replaced what Jalen Rucker (Army) left behind and quite honestly, did a better job at creating a better team atmosphere from the point guard position. His IQ, natural feel as a scorer/passer and above average defense when locked in all point to Winborne being a future mid-major prospect. Another name that intrigues me is Deon Perry Deon Perry 5'8" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2022 State MD from Mt. Carmel. Perry lacks size at 5-foot-8, but plays with extreme quickness and can shoot with range. He built off a productive freshman season in 2018-19 and improved as a play maker.
Ayalew: Cam Whitmore was easily one of the biggest stock risers this winter. He has rebounded nicely from his injury and is simply oozing with potential. One freshman who I was really impressed with this season was Jacoi Hutchinson Jacoi Hutchinson 6'3" | CG IMG | 2023 State #101 Nation FL from DeMatha. He took advantage of the opportunities he was given, contributing on both ends of the floor, and slowly earned the trust of Coach Jones.
Wilson: I think Favour Aire Favour Aire 6'10" | C Bishop McNamara | 2022 State #86 Nation MD out of Bishop McNamara really established himself as an elite recruit not just in the DMV but across the nation. Standing at 6’10 Aire is an elite shot blocker, rebounds extremely well on both ends and keeps on improving on the offensive end. Look for Aire to be one of the most highly touted recruits in the country for the 2022 class.