17u Preview: DC Premier
We learned Saturday that Nike had cancelled all events in its EYBL Circuit. There’s a chance all of the major shoe circuits take the same approach, but that’s not reason for us not to shed light on the AAU teams…
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Continue ReadingWe learned Saturday that Nike had cancelled all events in its EYBL Circuit. There’s a chance all of the major shoe circuits take the same approach, but that’s not reason for us not to shed light on the AAU teams that were constructed with their rosters awaiting clearance from COVID-19. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting some of the local programs, as many of their players would’ve been beneficiaries of a spring/summer travel stage.
We start by taking a look at DC Premier ‘s 17u roster, who is featured on the UAA Circuit.
Bez Mbeng Bez Mbeng 6'3" | CG Good Counsel | 2021 State #190 Nation MD | 6’2 | Good Counsel ’21
Mbeng is a prospect who has witnessed an uptick in his recruitment since the conclusion of the high school season. A 6-foot-2 combo guard with plus length, Mbeng brings value defensively with his versatility. Offensively he can score it at a decent rate from all three levels, but is at his best slashing to the rim where he can use his craft and athleticism to finish at or above the rim. Mbeng holds offers from Byrant, LaSalle, Robert Morris, St. Francis (PA) and Towson.
Wes Peterson Jr. | 6’5 | Bishop O’Connell ’21
Peterson Jr. is another prospect who has seen his recruitment trend upwards at a rapid rate. In fact, over the past week he’s received offers from East Tennessee St., Loyola (MD) and Towson. A 6-foot-5 dynamic wing with plus athleticism, Peterson is a joy to watch in the open floor with his explosive finishes. He’s a better shooter off the catch than off the bounce, but can still create for himself or others in said scenarios. Peterson Jr. brings a competitive fire to the defensive end guarding his man and blocking shots around the rim.
Zaakir Williamson Zaakir Williamson 6'7" | PF Rock Creek Christian | 2021 PA | 6’7 | Rock Creek Christian ’21
Williamson has been a match-up nightmare since he entered the high school ranks. A 6-foot-7 bullish forward with perimeter potential, Williamson has made progress with his overall body and become more mobile and finesse since his freshman year. He can operate in face-up situations, utilize his strength to bury his opponent under the rim when his back is to the rim, and can hit an outside shot with time. Defensively Williamson disrupts shots in the paint, rebounds at an above average rate and does a nice job hedging ball screens and getting back to his man. Williamson’s current offers: Akron, East Tennessee St., George Mason, Howard, La Salle, Mount St. Mary’s, North Carolina A&T, Towson, UMBC and Youngstown St.
James Gross | 6’3 | Rock Creek Christian ’21
Gross is one of those players who plays bigger than he’s listed. A 6-foot-3 guard with overwhelming athleticism, Gross is a major threat in the open floor where he can be on the receiving end of lobs. He brings a toughness and motor to the backcourt that shows in his willingness to rebound in a manner that not many guards do. It surprises me that his offer list isn’t longer. He had a chance to be one of the breakout prospects in the spring. Bryant and Howard are the two programs who have invested early.
Abdou Samb Abdou Samb 6'8" | C Frederick Douglass | 2021 State MD | 6’8 | Frederick Douglass ’21
Among the stock risers of the spring, Samb is high on that list. The 6-foot-8 stretch forward has received offers from East Tennessee St., Hampton, Robert Morris, Southeastern Louisiana and Towson, with offers from Mount St. Mary’s and Stony Brook stemming back to last summer. Samb can make shots from the perimeter and is an effective rim-runner in transition. He blocks shots and rebounds at a high rate.
Caleb Furr Caleb Furr 6'6" | PF Highland School | 2021 State VA | 6’6 | Highland School
Furr’s most important characteristic is his reliability. He’s consistent in that he’ll run the floor consistently, catch tough passes and finish his looks around the rim efficiently. He’s a disciplined rebounder and uses fundamental techniques on his box outs. While he has generated interest from several Division I programs, Furr has yet to receive an offer.
Day’sJuan Waters Day’sJuan Waters 6'3" | SF Good Counsel | 2021 State MD | 6’4 | Good Counsel ’21
Waters is a crafty, shifty shot creator off the bounce who also has the ability to fill it up from three off the catch. A decent rebounder for his position, Waters also has sneaky athleticism that is brought to light in contests around the rim or in transition offensively. He boasts offers from East Tennessee St. and Stony Brook.
Cole Paar Cole Paar 6'9" | C Glenelg Country | 2021 State MD | 6’9 | Glenelg Country ’21
Paar brings size and IQ at the forward position. He can be utilized at the top of the key or the high-post as a passer who makes sound decisions and reads. He has soft touch on his shots around the rim and uses his size defensively in the paint to disrupt actions. Paar holds one offer from Mount St. Mary’s.
Antoine Jacks Antoine Jacks 5'10" | PG Good Counsel | 2021 State MD | 5’10 | Good Counsel ’21
Jacks is a tough-nosed guard who holds immense pride in his full-court pressure defense. He brings the grit that every coach loves in his floor general who can also facilitate an offense. Jacks is a dependable three-point shooter that spaces the floor, but also embraces contact on his drives to the rim. He holds an offer from Southern.
Kino Lilly Jr. Kino Lilly Jr. 6'0" | CG Landon | 2021 State MD | 5’11 | Landon ’21
Lilly is one of the pure scorers in his class locally. A 5-foot-11 guard who can play on or off the ball, Lilly has tremendous range on his three-point shot and is a crafty finisher on his attempts around the basket. He brings great energy and leadership to his teams. Lilly has committed to Brown.