DMV Young Core Rankings (Part 5)
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We aren’t exactly sure when the 2020-2021 season will begin, but basketball never stops at Prep Hoops. As we prepare for another season, the staff will be hitting you with several preseason nuggets. This series aims to highlight 30 of…
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Continue ReadingWe aren’t exactly sure when the 2020-2021 season will begin, but basketball never stops at Prep Hoops. As we prepare for another season, the staff will be hitting you with several preseason nuggets. This series aims to highlight 30 of the best young cores from within and around the DMV. A “young core” consists of players with at least two full years of high school basketball remaining. This includes prospects from the class of 2022 and younger. Here is a brief rundown of #10-6.
#10 | Paul VI (VA)
Wilson: It is crazy to think Dug McDaniel is only a junior as he already as a ton of playing experience in the WCAC. McDaniel will take a bigger role this year as Jeremy Roach Jeremy Roach 6'2" | PG Paul VI | 2020 State #19 Nation VA has now graduated. McDaniel remains one of the most exciting players to watch in the area. 2023 DeShawn Harris-Smith DeShawn Harris-Smith 6'5" | SF Paul VI | 2023 State #53 Nation VA will also have a much-expanded role this year. Harris-Smith has a strong body and frame and has the chance to be a very good two-way player in the WCAC. From the 2024 class, the name to know is Darren Harris who has established himself as a very good shooter.
#9 | McDonogh (MD)
Giacubeno: In my opinion, McDonogh has a top-5 young core considering the talent and positions they can cover. 2022 combo guard Everett Cooper Everett Cooper 5'10" | PG McDonogh | 2022 MD took on the role as a primary scorer before getting injured a little less than halfway through the season. An Alabama baseball commit, Cooper can score it from all three levels and post big numbers when he gets going. 2022 forward Preston Howard Preston Howard 6'5" | PF McDonogh | 2022 MD provides versatility at 6-foot-6 with his athleticism and competitive edge. 2022 center Dani Dennis-Sutton Dani Dennis-Sutton 6'6" | C McDonogh | 2022 MD will likely be playing on your TV screen in the NFL someday, but while on the hardwood he’s an enforcer in the paint at both ends. 2023 point guard Mathani Paul-Swinson Mathani Paul-Swinson 5'11" | PG McDonogh | 2023 MD was thrown into the fire as a freshman last season and progressed steadily while he learned how to facilitate a team while picking his spots to be aggressive. 2023 guard Carl Carrington is the off-ball backcourt mate who can spread the floor with his three-point shot. Carrington isn’t shy to pull the trigger and when he’s hitting it can cause major problems for the opposition. 2024 forward Gabe Grant may have the most potential in this group of incoming freshmen in the Baltimore area. With great size at 6-foot-9, Grant is a shot-blocking presence defensively and plays with a good motor. He’s a violent finisher around the rim and will provide even more length to the McDonogh lineup.
#8 | Bishop O’Connell (VA)
Wilson: Bishop O’Connell has a very good young core that should help them get back to near the top of the standings in the WCAC. It starts with 2022 PG Paul Lewis Paul Lewis 6'1" | PG Bishop O'Connell | 2022 State VA who is coming off a breakout sophomore season. 2022 David Onanina David Onanina 6'6" | PF Bishop O'Connell | 2022 State VA is one of the more physical players in the area and takes up a huge presence in the paint. 2023 Mason So Mason So 6'1" | PG DeMatha | 2023 State MD continued to get better as the season went on last year as he is a skilled guard that can shoot it from all areas on the floor. Also in the 2023 class is 6’7 Tyler Mason Tyler Mason 6'10" | PF Bishop Walsh | 2023 VA who has a ton of upside. Mason stretches the floor well where he can shoot it from deep and plays good defense in the paint. Mason has the chance to be a very good prospect down the road for O’Connell. O’Connell also got two very nice additions off the transfer market in 2022 6’2 Cavan Reilly Cavan Reilly 6'4" | SG Bishop O'Connell | 2022 State VA and 2022 6’4 Christian May Christian May 6'6" | SF Bishop O'Connell | 2022 State VA .
#7 | Sidwell Friends (DC)
Wilson: George Perkins George Perkins 6'8" | PF Sidwell Friends | 2022 State MD and Chris Gamble Chris Gamble 6'1" | CG Sidwell Friends | 2022 State MD are the two guys that come to mind from the 2022 class. Perkins currently stands at 6’8 and should start to gain a lot of attention from college programs with the upside and versatility he has. Chris Gamble Chris Gamble 6'1" | CG Sidwell Friends | 2022 State MD is a 6’1 lead guard that is a hard-playing defender and can contribute in a variety of ways on offense. Cam Gillus Cam Gillus 5'10" | PG Sidwell Friends | 2023 State MD is a top-five player in the MD/DC 2023 class and should be a very good lead guard for Eric Singletary. Another notable 2023 prospect that Singletary will go to is 6’6 Chris Russell Chris Russell 6'5" | C Sidwell Friends | 2023 State MD who oozes with production whenever he is on the court.
#6 | John Carroll (MD)
Giacubeno: The Patriots have no shortage of talent in their future. 2022 guard Tyson Commander Tyson Commander 6'4" | SG The John Carroll School | 2022 State #203 Nation MD headlines the core building the reputation as one of the top snipers in the DMV. 2022 forward Cesar Tchilombo Cesar Tchilombo 6'8" | C John Carroll | 2022 MD took strides last season as a rim protector and continues to develop a game on the block with his back to the basket. 2022 TJ Vaughn TJ Vaughn 5'10" | PG John Carroll | 2022 State MD is the one that sets the table from the point guard position. His ability to facilitate and make an impact guarding the ball defensively is what makes him valuable. 2023 Jeannot Basima Jeannot Basima 6'3" | CG John Carroll | 2023 State #200 Nation MD showed stints throughout his freshman campaign of being an effective slasher. He recently won MVP of the Hoop Group Future All-American All-Star game, indicating he’s still improving against top-notch competition.