DMV Young Core Rankings (Part 6)
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 we conclude the series by taking a look at the top-five.
#5 | Archbishop Spalding (MD)
Giacubeno: Spalding has the chance to assert themselves as a top team in the DMV this season and it’s due to their super talented core group of players. 2022 wing/forward Cam Whitmore has established himself as a high-major prospect. The 6-foot-7 rising junior has elite athleticism and ability to post eye-popping numbers in multiple stat categories.2022 wing CJ Scott CJ Scott 6'4" | SF Archbishop Spalding | 2022 MD fills a variety of roles for this team. He’ll handle the ball for stints throughout games but also is viewed as a utility guy who can impact the game with scoring, playmaking, and rebounding. 2022 combo guard Tyheil Peterson Tyheil Peterson 5'10" | PG Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State MD can play both on or off the ball and score from all three levels. His competitive edge fuels the backcourt along with 2022 guard Jordan Pennick Jordan Pennick 6'1" | CG Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State MD . Pennick is a standout on the football field and you can tell by the toughness he showcases on the hardwood. He’s an underrated shot-maker who can also guard multiple positions despite being 6-foot.
#4 | Baltimore Poly (MD)
Giacubeno: Poly has a trio of underclassmen with a ton of potential. 2022 combo guard Bryce Lindsay Bryce Lindsay 6'2" | CG St. Frances | 2022 State MD has a reputation of being one of the top snipers in the DMV and will have the chance to operate more on the ball this season. 2022 Adam Walden Adam Walden 6'9" | C Baltimore Polytechnic | 2022 MD is still developing his overall game, but the 6-foot-9 rising junior offers the size to clog up the paint defensively and be a consistent presence on the glass. 2023 wing Kwame Evans Kwame Evans 6'9" | SF Montverde | 2023 State #20 Nation FL is largely considered as a top-10 player in his class nationally, and for good reason. At 6-foot-9 with a freakish wingspan, the southpaw can do damage from beyond the arc. He makes sound decisions with the ball and shows good instincts for the overall game. He uses his length to disrupt shots both in the paint and on the perimeter and has improved his aggression from a rebounding standpoint.
#3 | St. John’s (DC)
Wilson: The future looks super bright for the Cadets and it is debatable that they should be ranked even higher than they are. The gem of this young core is 2023 Amani Hansberry Amani Hansberry 6'7" | C Mount St. Joseph | 2023 State #52 Nation MD is an elite center who has great touch around the rim and rebounds everything in front of him. 2022 Christian Watson Christian Watson 6'6" | SF St. John's | 2022 State #121 Nation MD is starting to turn out into the prospect we thought he would be and offers a ton of versatility while on the court. 2022’s Shane Lancaster Shane Lancaster 6'4" | CG St. John's | 2022 State MD and Logan Blair Logan Blair 6'3" | SF St. John's | 2022 State MD both got limited minutes last year which should help them this upcoming season. 2023 Malik Mack Malik Mack 6'0" | PG St. John’s | 2023 State #260 Nation MD is a very nice lead guard with a good feel for the game and should continue to be a nice prospect for Pat Behan’s bunch. 2024 Donnie Freeman is one of the more promising 2024 prospects that the DMV has to offer. It is also important to note the important addition of 2023 Raymond Watts Raymond Watts 6'4" | SG St. John's | 2023 State MD .
#2 | Gonzaga (DC)
Wilson: The 2022 duo of Judah Mintz and Devin Dinkins Devin Dinkins 5'10" | PG Gonzaga | 2022 State MD is flat out scary and Steve Turner must be happy that he as both of those prospects for another two years. 2022 Jared Turner Jared Turner 6'8" | SF Gonzaga | 2022 State MD is expected to make a maker jump this upcoming year as he can shoot the ball. The sleeper in the 2022 class for Gonzaga is Nick Evans, who could surprise a few folks this year. Keep an eye on 2022 Quinn Clark Quinn Clark 6'6" | PF Gonzaga | 2022 State MD e as well. 2023 Thomas Batties II Thomas Batties II 6'7" | PF Gonzaga | 2023 State MD will have a bigger role this year for Steve Turner and should make an impact right away.
#1 | DeMatha (MD)
Wilson: Landing 2022 Rodney Rice Rodney Rice 6'4" | CG DeMatha | 2022 State #89 Nation MD after he decided to transfer from Bulls is huge news for DeMatha as he is one of the most electricfing scorers in the entire Mid Atlantic. 2022 Tyrell Ward Tyrell Ward 6'7" | SF DeMatha | 2022 State #56 Nation MD is a versatile shot maker standing at 6’5 and is starting to gain more and more high major interest. 2023 Jason Moore Jason Moore 6'6" | PF DeMatha | 2023 MD is a high major football recruit but can also get it done on the hardwood. 2023 Kalen Cobb Kalen Cobb 6'3" | SG DeMatha | 2023 MD is a very athletic 6’2 shooting guard that can defend at a high level. Mike Jones also picked up another quality transfer in 6’4 Ben Woodward Ben Woodward 6'5" | SF John Champe | 2023 State VA . Jaeden Mustaf, Tyree Davis Tyree Davis 6'4" | SF DeMatha | 2022 MD , Jaden Winston Jaden Winston 5'9" | PG DeMatha | 2023 State MD , Jeremiah Quigley Jeremiah Quigley 5'9" | PG Bishop McNamara | 2023 State MD , Isaiah Arnold Isaiah Arnold 6'2" | PG DeMatha | 2023 State MD , AJ Swinton, Malcolm Thomas, Sherman Witherspoon are all names to remember too for the Stags.