Top 2023 Baltimore Guards
In my Baltimore player breakdowns by class, we’ve now reached the group of freshmen from this past season. There were plenty of diaper dandies that logged significant minutes for their respective teams and witnessed steady growth as they gained experience.…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn my Baltimore player breakdowns by class, we’ve now reached the group of freshmen from this past season. There were plenty of diaper dandies that logged significant minutes for their respective teams and witnessed steady growth as they gained experience. We start this series by taking a look at the guards.
1. Mike Williams Mike Williams 6'3" | CG Bishop Walsh | 2023 State #141 Nation MD | 6’2 | Calvert Hall
Williams gained steam as the season progressed and saw plenty of opportunity alongside a very young Cardinals’ roster. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged a full stat line of 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds 2.7 steals and 2.4 assists per game. A dynamic guard with athelticism, Williams scored from all over the floor but was at his best getting downhill and attacking the rim. Williams’ explosive athleticism allowed him to finish well over the rim in the open floor and even finish a few dunks in traffic. He improved defensively, especially off the ball where he manufactured deflections and transition scenarios for quick buckets. Often times we see prospects make a significant jump from their freshman to sophomore year in large part because of an increase in confidence. I expect that to happen with Williams. He currently holds an offer from UMass.
2. Mathani Paul-Swinson Mathani Paul-Swinson 5'11" | PG McDonogh | 2023 MD | 5’11 | McDonogh
Along with Williams, Paul-Swinson probably gained the most experience of this freshman guard group. He saw his role increase significantly when 2022 guard Everett Cooper Everett Cooper 5'10" | PG McDonogh | 2022 MD was sidelined for the half of the season with a lower leg injury. As the schedule progressed, the 5-foot-11 guard learned how to become a better floor general and decision-maker with the ball in transition. Paul-Swinson showcased ability to break his man down off the bounce and get into the paint where he could finish with a soft-touch floater. Eventually he started to dissect the defense as the weakside man rotating to stop his drive. While shooting is still a big area of needed improvement, Paul-Swinson is a guy that you have to be aware of around the perimeter. With time and space he can knock down three’s. As a defender he faced a gauntlet of point guards in the MIAA that I believe will prepare him well for a productive sophomore season on that end. He averaged 12.7 points, 3.5 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per contest.
3. Jahnathan Lamothe Jahnathan Lamothe 6'3" | CG St. Frances | 2023 State #204 Nation MD | 6’3 | St. Frances
Lamothe’s role for nationally ranked St. Frances experienced a serious uptick when the 2020 duo of Jordan Toles Jordan Toles 6'3" | SG St. Frances Academy | 2020 State #402 Nation MD (LSU) and Jamahl Banks (Wake Forest) left school in January to prepare for spring football. The 6-foot-3 guard is known for his long range shooting ability, but Lamothe also showed craft in finishing around the rim. Going forward, becoming more athletic and quicker laterally should help Lamothe become a more valued defender and as a result, make St. Frances a more dangerous team. Lamothe holds an offer from Austin Peay.
4. Jeannot Basima Jeannot Basima 6'3" | CG John Carroll | 2023 State #200 Nation MD | 6’3 | John Carroll
Basima not only had to make an adjustment to being a freshman on varsity, but also spending his first year in the United States and adjusting to the style of play. He did just that by averaging 10 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game filling a vital role as the sixth man on a much improved Patriots team. Basima is the definition of a slashing guard with quick-twitch handles to help him slither his way to the rim and finish. As the defense adjusted to his knack of getting into the paint, Basima started showing growth as a passer where he often found the big hovering in the dunker’s spot for easy buckets. Occasionally Basima would knock down a catch-and-shoot from the perimeter, but it’s an area of his game that is still a work in progress. Defensively he’s still learning the flow of the game, but has potential to be extremely valuable his mix of size, athleticism and length at the guard slot.
5. Samartine Bogues Samartine Bogues 5'6" | PG Calvert Hall | 2023 MD | 5’6 | Calvert Hall
Bogues shows glimpses of his grandfather, the great Mugsy Bogues, with his tenacious competitiveness and ability to create as a point guard. He was the primary ball-handler for Calvert Hall and posted a strong stat line of 9.4 points, 3.4 assists and two steals per game. Lack of height is something that Bogues has dealt with his entire life, but he uses it as a strength to make his match up’s life a nightmare bringing the ball up the floor. His low center of gravity and extremely quick hands create a number of steals or deflections and ultimately, transitions points. Look for Bogues to make significant progress in his sophomore season as his confidence should grow from having his fair share of responsibilities this past season.