Maryland/DC Summer Stock Risers: 2022 Guards
We’ve wrapped up what has been the most unprecedented summer in AAU basketball history as COVID-19 prohibited any live evaluations periods to occur. Nevertheless, programs and facilities worked together in order to give players a platform as college coaches watched…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe’ve wrapped up what has been the most unprecedented summer in AAU basketball history as COVID-19 prohibited any live evaluations periods to occur. Nevertheless, programs and facilities worked together in order to give players a platform as college coaches watched via live stream. Before May, the chances of having any basketball this summer were very slim, but fortunately that wasn’t the case and players were able to boost their stock along the way.
For this series, we’ll be taking a look at stock risers from the area in various classes.
We continue with the 2022 guards.
Deon Perry Deon Perry 5'8" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2022 State MD | 5’9 | Mt. Carmel/Team Melo
Perry caught all of our eyes with his play in the I-95 Coalition. Adam and Houston don’t get to see Perry often throughout the high school season, but I saw him in over a handful of games this past winter and the steps he’s taken as a point guard have been dramatic. On Mt. Carmel Perry is depended upon to produce consistently as a primary scorer, so his ability to distribute and show other aspects of his game was sometimes limited. When he took the floor with a loaded Team Melo 16 squad who had no shortage of guys who can put the ball in the basket, his facilitating skills and IQ both stood out at a high level. Perry may be small, but his ability to control a game and also score in bunches when needed should be a reason why college programs get involved.
Christian Winborne Christian Winborne 6'2" | CG Gilman | 2022 State #199 Nation MD | 6’2 | Gilman/Team Thrill
Winborne was arguably the biggest stock rising guard in the Baltimore area as he received two high major offers with more expected to be on the way. The 6-foot-2 lead guard is a dynamic scorer, but also plays with a balanced perspective from the point guard position in getting teammates involved and in positions to succeed. He’s ultra competitive on the defensive end where he causes havoc off the ball in passing lanes causing deflections for fastbreak opportunities. Winborne is an all-around player and that’s why programs like LSU and Virginia Tech extended offers in August while Xavier offered in July. He also holds offers from Bryant, Delaware State, Howard, Loyola (MD), Mercer, Morgan State, Mount St. Mary’s, UMass, and UMBC.
Bryce Lindsay Bryce Lindsay 6'2" | CG St. Frances | 2022 State MD | 6’2 | Poly/Team Thrill
Lindsay shares the backcourt with Winborne on Team Thrill and the two have formed one of the most explosive duos you’ll find. Lindsay is known for his shooting ability and while he’s knocked down a ridiculous amount of three’s this summer, he’s impressed most operating off the bounce. Often times players who can shoot get labeled as so and it’s easy to assume they can’t do much else. That is indeed not the case with Lindsay. He’s shown good IQ with making reads in ball screen scenarios and understanding how to make defenses pay for slow rotations on teammates. Since the high school season concluded, Lindsay has grown a good 2-to-3 inches, making his case even stronger for Division I schools to get involved. Bryant, Howard, Mount St. Mary’s and VCU have all offered while a bevy of other mid-to-high major programs are tracking him closely.
Jordan Pennick Jordan Pennick 6'1" | CG Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State MD | 6’0 | Archbishop Spalding/Team Choo
Many people may not know Pennick’s name as of right now, but I have a strong feeling that won’t remain the case. The 6-foot combo guard was a vastly underrated piece of an Archbishop Spalding team last season that produced plenty of impressive wins and this summer he took on the role of being the primary scorer for Team Choo’s 17U squad. He’s a capable scorer from three, mid-range or around the basket. Pennick is also a standout on the football field, so his takes to the rim aren’t affected when contact comes his way. He’s a workhorse on defense who can guard multiple positions with his mix of athleticism and strength. A player that Pennick reminds me of is Marcus Smart. Every team can use a Marcus Smart, and that’s why I’m surprised more programs haven’t reached out about Pennick. That shouldn’t last long.
Trey Thomas Trey Thomas 6'3" | PG Wise | 2022 MD | 6’3 | Wise/Team Durant
I liked what I saw from Thomas this summer. I saw him over a handful of times in game action and like what he can bring to the table as a lead guard with his size, quickness and ability to create. Thomas is a crafty scorer off the bounce who is effective at creating space from his defender to free himself up. He has sound instincts as a passer, but can certainly improve in that area. He’s a valuable defender with his versatility where he can guard either backcourt position. His mechanics on his jumper catch you off guard because he doesn’t get much lift. He knocks down jumpers with regularity, but my assumption is that he’ll have to work on getting off the floor on his release to solidify himself as a mid major Division I prospect.