Top 10 2021 PG’s in Baltimore
Throughout the next few weeks here on Prep Hoops and especially here on Prep Hoops Maryland, we’ll be breaking down our top 10 player at all five positions for each class. These lists are never easy to compile. Not only…
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Continue ReadingThroughout the next few weeks here on Prep Hoops and especially here on Prep Hoops Maryland, we’ll be breaking down our top 10 player at all five positions for each class. These lists are never easy to compile. Not only having to pick and choose 10 players, but also the fact that today’s basketball has become more positionless than we’ve ever seen. There always seems to be debates with this topic. Who is a point guard? Should they be considered more of a combo guard? Is he a forward or a center? Or will they have to transition to the wing at the college level?
For this specific series, we will be categorizing players on what position they fill for their current high school team based off the 2019-20 season.
1. Ryan Conway Ryan Conway 6'0" | PG Dulaney | 2021 State #111 Nation MD | 6’1 | Dulaney
Conway takes the top spot for this list. His elite scoring ability has been noted by high-major programs and as a result, he’ll make his decision this Saturday choosing between Marquette, Providence, Rutgers, Standford, Seton Hall and Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-1 point guard averaged an impressive 27.3 points per game to go with 4.8 assists and 4.4 steals per game. Conway faced a number of double and even at times, triple teams that forced him to become a better passer and utilize his court vision. He improved in both of these areas. Conway also proved himself playing up on the 17U level of the EYBL Circuit last summer with Team Melo. He posted efficient scoring numbers, which ultimately is what attracted the high-major attention.
2. Ausar Crawley Ausar Crawley 5'8" | PG Mount St. Joseph | 2021 MD | 5’8 | Mount St. Joseph
Crawley is a winner. The 5-foot-8 lefty has proven since his freshman season that he can run a team from the point guard position. His ability to control pace, put teammates in their best position to succeed and be a leader by example are all reasons why the Gaels have continued their dominance completed an upset of nationally ranked St. Frances in the MIAA A Conference championship game. Crawley can consistently score from mid-range off the dribble. He seeks and finishes through contact on his drives to the rim, which is where Crawley’s football mentality translates to the hardwood. As a junior, he developed into a much more efficient three-point shooter off the catch, forcing the defense to account for him at all times. The best phrase to describe Crawley’s game is being a coach on the floor. He currently holds no offers for basketball, but recently received an offer from Arizona State for his productivity on the gridiron.
3. Jalen Bryant Jalen Bryant 5'11" | PG John Carroll | 2021 State MD | 5’10 | John Carroll
Bryant is a prospect that I strongly believe deserves more attention from college programs. Not only does he bring long-range shooting, but he can also facilitate an offense, make sound decisions in transition and play tremendous defense both on and off the ball. The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 17 points, five rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He prides himself in drawing offensive fouls by suffocating his match up as they bring the ball up the floor. Bryant brings a hardhat approach to both ends and it was a huge reason for John Carroll experiencing a turnaround season that was indicated by their 22-12 record.
4. Jordan Moore Jordan Moore 6'1" | CG Loyola Blakefield | 2021 MD | 6’1 | Loyola Blakefield
Playing the point guard position was new for Moore this season, but given his leadership capabilities as a quarterback that made him a priority for over a dozen high major Division I football programs, the transition wasn’t as tough as it usually is. The Duke football commit was Loyola’s lone option as a ball-handler this past season and the 6-foot-1 guard did a good job of keeping the team on track. Loyola prides themselves in their half court execution with sets that consist of a plethora of off-ball screens and backdoor cuts. Moore was the conductor and while things ran relatively smoothly, he and his teammates were more effective in transition. He can cover ground quickly and uses solid fundamentals on passes to set teammates up on the break. His lateral quickness assisted him in staying in front of the skilled guards he faced routinely in the MIAA. Without Moore, Loyola would’ve been in big trouble this season.
5. Trae English Trae English 5'11" | PG Baltimore Poly | 2021 State MD | 5’10 | Poly
Putting English this high up on the list may catch some eyes, but if you saw Poly played last season and paid attention when English was in the game, you’d see the impact he made as the sixth man. English will likely start at the point guard position for the Engineers next season and will have more opportunities to show all that he’s capable of. The 5-foot-10 guard is an underrated scorer around the rim and is capable of knocking down shots. With Poly’s loaded roster, English’s role consisted of coming off the bench and supplying energy defensively while getting the team executing in the half court offensively. He showed growth as a play maker and with his court vision as a passer. As time goes on, English will his potential to be a dynamic scorer when called upon.
6. Karell Booker | 5’10 | City
Booker put together solid outing in big games for a vastly improved City team this past season. Known as being more of a pass-first point guard, there were times during games where he had to be more aggressive as a scorer to give he defense a different look and he did so successfully. He’s not going to blow you away with his athleticism or quickness, but he is an effective change-of-pace dribbler to give him an advantage. His catch-and-shoot three has improved steadily. Booker showcased that most notably against Poly in the regional championship game. I’d still like to see more consistency out of Booker in many aspects, but when he’s on, he can have a big impact.
7. Anthony Smaldore Anthony Smaldore 5'10" | PG St. Paul's | 2021 State MD | 5’10 | St. Paul’s
Smaldore brings energy, toughness and craftiness every time he steps on the floor. He’s a point guard that shows the one characteristic every coach loves: grit. Not only that, but he understands the game at a high level and acts as a coach on the floor when in the half court offensively. The release on his jumper is funky to say the least, but he makes the defense pay from deep when left open. When he drives, he’s looking to make a play for someone else and showcases solid vision and anticipation. Defensively he’s vocal and works hard both on and off the ball.
8. Jeremiah Stanton Jeremiah Stanton 5'11" | PG Gerstell Academy | 2021 State MD | 5’11 | Gerstell
Stanton is a player who has quietly turned himself into a college prospect. It was hard to see how he’d do so as a freshman, but the development of his three-point shot and willingness to be coached both should give him some options to play beyond high school. He switches on and off the ball for Gerstell and has showed he’s a competent option to get his team in the right sets. When I’ve seen Stanton play with talent around him, he’s a low-risk player to have on the floor with his decision-making and ability to knock down shots when left open.
9. Tevin Curtis | 5’10 | St. Frances
There’s a good chance you don’t know Curtis unless you’ve attended a St. Frances game last season. Even then, he didn’t log big minutes within the rotation during the regular season, but in the postseason he made himself known in his role. The 5-foot-10 lefty made a handful of big shots and constant smart decisions with the basketball as a passer. Curtis was often forgotten about considering the talent he played around and as a result, the defense would use him and roam elsewhere trying to create havoc and steals. Time and time again, Curtis would be in the corner making them pay for an ounce of daylight. Expect Curtis to become a staple for St. Frances next year as we’ll get to see all that he’s capable of in an increased role.
10. Elijah Davis Elijah Davis 6'0" | PG St. Frances | 2022 MD | 5’11 | St. Frances
Davis was a new face at St. Frances this past season and steadily gained the trust of the coaching staff throughout the first month or so. It eventually turned into Davis playing respectable minutes off the bench behind VCU commit Ace Baldiwn. Gaining that trust came from his willingness as a defender to pressure the ball every second he was on the floor. Offensively Davis is very limited, but showed ability to handle the ball, get St. Frances initiated in the half court and ultimately give them a different look without Baldwin as the primary ball-handler. When he would get into the paint it was to set up teammates around the perimeter or one of the bigs hanging around the dunker’s spot.