Maryland/DC Roundtable: Standouts, 2022 prospects, transfers
The crew is back for another weekly roundtable taking a look some standouts that we’ve seen in gyms over the past couple of weeks. Also diving into 2022 prospects who are difficult to get a hold on and pointing out…
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Continue ReadingThe crew is back for another weekly roundtable taking a look some standouts that we’ve seen in gyms over the past couple of weeks. Also diving into 2022 prospects who are difficult to get a hold on and pointing out some of out of state transfers primed to make an impact for their new program.
1. We’ve each had the opportunity to get in gyms recently. If you were limited to one name, who was the most impressive prospect you saw?
Giacubeno: I had the chance to see George Washington commit Brayon Freeman Brayon Freeman 6'1" | CG National Christian | 2021 State #204 Nation MD play with National Christian at the Black Cager Showcase a couple of weekends back and really liked what I saw. He showcased his scoring prowess from all three levels, but also showed great awareness as a distributor and found teammates around the perimeter on a handful of occasions for three’s. Freeman’s approach certainly brings excitement every time he takes the floor and his skillset allows him to produce at a high level.
Ayalew: Derik Queen. His combination of size, skill, and mobility to go along with his feel for the game is truly unique.
Wilson: 2022 Tyler Nickel has been one of the top performers this fall at the Commonwealth Basketball Grassroots Fall Series. Nickel is living up to his national ranking and showing why he is on the top scores in the Mid Atlantic Region. Nickel updated us last week on how his recruitment is going.
2. Which prospect of the 2022 class has been the most difficult to evaluate/project?
Giacubeno: This will be a huge winter for Archbishop Spalding guard/wing CJ Scott CJ Scott 6'4" | SF Archbishop Spalding | 2022 MD . I think the thing that makes Scott a bit difficult to evaluate perfectly is his consistency. When he’s locked in, involved and asserting himself offensively both as a playmaker and scorer he has all the making to look like a legitimate mid-major prospect. There are times when he disappears in spurts throughout games and I think that’s the reason why many of those mid-major programs haven’t pulled the trigger. Fortunately he still has time and if we’re lucky enough to have live evaluation periods next spring, Scott’s worth for a talented Team Melo squad should surface pretty quickly.
Ayalew: No one in particular. I think right now, we are learning more about the 2022 class than any other. With that being said, there is still plenty of time for prospects in that class to show what they can do.
Wilson: I am looking forward to seeing how Shane Lancaster Shane Lancaster 6'4" | CG St. John's | 2022 State MD does this winter with St. John’s. There has been a lot of promise for Lancaster and with three seniors departing from the Cadets, Lancaster will certainly see an uptick in minutes which will be helpful for us to evaluate the 6-foot-2 guard.
3.There were a few out of state prospects who transferred to MD/DC schools. Of those prospects, which will you be monitoring closely?
Giacubeno: Elijah Jones is a New Jersey native who transferred to Mt. Zion Prep this fall. At 6-foot-8, Jones has been one of my favorite bigs to watch this fall. He plays with tremendous effort, is a willing defender and takes pride on controlling the glass from the defensive end. He’s showcased soft hands and nice touch around the rim when operating in the paint and while he has yet to attempt several shots from 15 feet and out, Jones is takes advantage of his trips to the charity stripe. Jones is a 2022 prospect, so I look forward to watching him develop for the next two years.
Ayalew: Bishop Walsh brought in a guard from Illinois, Ismail Habib Ismail Habib 6'0" | PG Bishop Walsh | 2021 State MD , who I’ve been hearing good things about. It will be interesting to see what type of impact the Austin Peay commit can make in the Spartans backcourt.
Wilson: There has been a lot of praise from 2023 Solomon Ball Solomon Ball 6'3" | CG Brewster Academy | 2023 State #106 Nation NLG out of St. James who transferred from Scotland Campus earlier this summer. Ball debuted at number 12 in our 2023 rankings and will look to be one of St. James primary scorers this winter and one of their better defenders.