Baltimore’s Top 10 2021 Versatile Prospects
Versatility has become the most valuable aspect in a prospect in today’s game. A player’s ability to contribute to a multitude of statistical categories, defend multiple positions and be used in different roles can drastically bolster their stock. For this…
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Continue ReadingVersatility has become the most valuable aspect in a prospect in today’s game. A player’s ability to contribute to a multitude of statistical categories, defend multiple positions and be used in different roles can drastically bolster their stock. For this list, we’ll break down the top 10 most versatile prospects in the 2021 class around the Baltimore area. These players vary by position and are being listed in according to how they’re used on their current high school team.
1. Jared Billups Jared Billups 6'5" | SF McDonogh | 2021 State MD | 6’6 | McDonogh
Billups has the perfect frame and size for the versatile wing mold that coaches long for in today’s game. At 6-foot-6 with broad shoulders and a chiseled body, Billups has the athleticism and quickness to guard positions 1-4 effectively. He rebounds, pushes the tempo, can score above the rim, finish through contact and is becoming more efficient as a catch-and-shoot threat from three. He currently holds offers from Brown, Bryant, Bucknell, Loyola (MD), Mount St. Mary’s and UMass-Lowell.
2. D’Angelo Stines D’Angelo Stines 6'2" | CG Mount St. Joseph | 2021 State MD | 6’2 | Mount St. Joseph
Stines broke out midway through his junior season as he started to find his niche. Mount St. Joe was loaded with guard who could play-make, so Stines would pick-and-choose his points of attack. Once the postseason came around, he was firing on all cylinders and asserted himself as a combo guard who could score from all three levels off the bounce or catch, finish athletically around the rim in the open floor and make sound decisions as a passer. Defensively he guarded either guard position effectively and even spent time matching up against wings, where he’d use his IQ to make life difficult against the bigger players that tried and utilize their size against him. Stines holds offers from Howard, Mount St. Mary’s and Quinnipiac.
3. Ahmad Harrison Ahmad Harrison 6'1" | PG National Christian | 2022 MD | 6’1 | City
Versatility has been Harrison’s calling card since his freshman season. He plays with a toughness defensively that allows him to guard positions 1-4 competently even though he stands just 6-foot-1. He brings an aggression as a rebounder to bolster him as a plus in that category in comparison to others listed as guards. Offensively he’s at his best playing off the dribble where he’s an efficient mid-range shooter and has a variety of finishes he can choose from around the rim.
4. Khyrie Staten Khyrie Staten 6'2" | CG St. Frances | 2021 State MD | 6’2 | St. Frances
Staten proved many wrong this season as he was a key cog for the nationally ranked St. Frances Panthers. While they had a bevy of players who could guard multiple positions, nobody did it more effectively or more consistently than Staten. He’s a willing defender who is always there for help side rotations, drawing charges or getting on the floor for 50/50’s. Offensively he was a beneficiary of Ace Baldwin’s (VCU) knack of creating open shots for teammates, which Staten took advantage of by burying outside shots. However, he also showed a drastic improvement for putting the ball on the floor and finishing at the basket through contact.
5. Cam Smith Cam Smith 6'7" | PF Loyola | 2021 State MD | 6’7 | Loyola Blakefield
Smith provides prototypical size for a versatile threat at 6-foot-7 and has explosive athleticism. It makes him a threat in the open floor for lobs and above the rim finishes off the bounce. A capable shooter from three, Smith is still working on his consistency in that area but is dangerous enough that the defense must account for him. He’s a big-time rebounder and pursues the ball at its peak. He has the quickness and athleticism to guard ball-screen scenarios effectively and can also hold his own in the paint. As Smith improves his overall IQ, more schools will start tracking him closely.
6. Byron Ireland Jr. Byron Ireland Jr. 6'2" | CG St. Frances | 2021 State MD | 6’2 | St. Frances
Ireland was another valuable piece for St. Frances in 2019-20. The 6-foot-2 guard who transferred from Annapolis has plus strength for his size, making him a versatile defender for positions 1-3. Like Staten, Ireland took advantage of his looks from three off kick-outs, but he’s at his best getting downhill and finishing at the rim. There were portions during games where Ireland would take over as the primary ball-handler to give the defense a different look.
7. Malik Scipio Malik Scipio 6'3" | SF Parkville | 2021 State MD | 6’2 | Parkville
Scipio is an under the radar prospect but was a critical piece to Parkville’s 22-3 season. The 6-foot-2 combo guard brings a toughness and physicality that is rare at his position. It allows him to guard positions 1-4 and battle on the glass, where he is considered a plus rebounder. In the open floor Scipio can set his mind of getting the rim and finishing through contact. He also finds his mark from three frequently and can break his match up down off the dribble in isolation situation.
8. Darrius Tilghman Darrius Tilghman 6'3" | PG Parkville | 2021 State MD | 6’4 | Parkville
Tilghman had a bounce back season for the Knights and helped get his stock trending in the right direction. He boasts intriguing size for his position at 6-foot-4 who benefits from being a left-handed guard that can mix it up off the dribble. When he drives it’s to create for others, but Tilghman can also finish with craft on his takes. He still must improve his lateral quickness, but Tilghman can effectively guard positions 2-3 and sometimes forwards who can impact the game from the perimeter.
9. Dinari Boykin | 6’4 | Curley
Boykin was a consistent contributor for Curley, who won the MIAA B Conference title. The 6-foot-4 guard provided versatility on the defensive end, a presence as a rebounder and a balanced scoring threat offensively. He should see an increase in role as a senior and have more opportunities to showcase his ability to create off the dribble.
10. Malik Missouri Malik Missouri 6'5" | PF Gilman | 2021 State MD | 6’5 | Gilman
The biggest reason Missouri comes in as tenth on the list is because he missed most of the season with a knee injury. Nevertheless, his size at 6-foot-5 and plus length make for a versatile defensive option. I’ve seen Missouri be an impact rebounder when focused and uses that length to attack the ball at its peak. He can lead the break when the opportunity presents, score inside and out while also making good decisions for others off the dribble.