April’s Stock Risers-2024 Prospects
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Now that we’re almost a full month into AAU action, it’s time to reflect on some of the evaluations we’ve gathered over that timespan. Some of 2024 class got their first taste of varsity action this winter, while others were…
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Continue ReadingNow that we’re almost a full month into AAU action, it’s time to reflect on some of the evaluations we’ve gathered over that timespan. Some of 2024 class got their first taste of varsity action this winter, while others were using the AAU stage as their coming out party if their season got canceled due to COVID-19. For this series, I’ll take a look at the prospects in each class who boosted their stock starting with this year’s freshmen class.
Derik Queen Derik Queen 6'9" | PF Montverde Academy | 2024 State #18 Nation FL | 6’8 | Team Thrill
It’s crazy to think that Queen could’ve boosted his stock any more after being names Max Preps National Freshman of the Year, but the 6-foot-8 point forward used the month of April to prove himself against top competition at the 16U level with Team Thrill. Queen is truly a unique prospect with the way that he can score, handle the ball and pass all at 6-foot-8. The fluidity and the pace that he plays with is unlike any other prospect in the DMV. Queen holds offers from Maryland, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, LSU and Arizona State.
Darren Harris | 6’5 | Team Takeover
Harris blew me away at the Team Thrill/The Circuit Hoops Spring Showcase with his ability to shoot the ball from three. The 6-foot-5 guard boasts great size, has underrated athleticism and a good feel for the game overall. Harris holds offers from Georgetown and Delaware State, but expect that list to grow in a hurry as he continues to catch eyes playing up on Team Takeover’s 16U squad.
Sincere Barfield Sincere Barfield 5'11" | PG Patterson | 2024 State MD | 6’1 | Team BBC
Barfield is a prospect that didn’t have a chance at playing his freshman season on the varsity level with Baltimore County canceling their season. This spring however, Barfield has wasted no time getting to work and led Team BBC 15U to a 4-1 showing at Hoop Group’s Pitt Jam Fest last weekend while averaging over 15 points per game. Barfield is a strong lead guard that can finish through contact and score off the bounce in the mid-range. He’s a tenacious defender who plays 110 percent every minute that he’s on the floor.
Malachi Palmer | 6’5 | Team Thrill
Palmer has been one of the most impressive 2024 prospects I saw throughout the month. He has tremendous size for his positon at 6-foot-5 and is a legitimate three-level scorer who has a great feel for the game when it comes to picking and choosing his spots. Especially in the open floor, Palmer’s athleticism comes to light and he finishes with such smoothness on his layups with either hand. His blend of size and athleticism allow him to be versatile on the defensive end and a good rebounder. Palmer holds offer from New Mexico State, Nebraska, LSU, Georgetown, Virginia Tech and Arizona State.
Acaden Lewis | 5’11 | Team Melo
Lewis had a strong performance against Team Final when I saw him in action along with a productive day of games the day before. The southpaw floor general shows an understanding of how to control the game at a young age. He plays with great pace and can operate in many different scenarios. He has solid instincts on his drives as to how to react to the rotation defenders and either finish with soft-touch floaters or locating open teammates for quality shots.
Isaiah Williams Isaiah Williams 6'3" | CG Rosedale Christian | 2024 MD | 6’2 | Team Thrill
Williams has quickly established himself as a primary scoring option for a scrappy Team Thrill 15U group. His approach as a scorer is to break his man down off the dribble, slash and finish around the rim. Williams’ quick first step makes it difficult for his defender to get up and pressure him consistently without getting blown by and in transition is when his athleticism allows him to finish over the rim. He’s a pesky defender who always has active hands whether on or off the ball.
Ben Hammond | 5’8 | Team Takeover
Hammond looks to join the long list of successful point guards who played for Team Takeover and attend Paul IV. From the action I caught in April, he looks to be the next strong candidate thanks to his high basketball IQ. Hammond shows great command of the offense and doesn’t let close, late game situations frazzle him. He can score when he needs to, but often times looked to act as a table-setter on his paint touches.
Jadyn Harris | 6’6 | Team Thrill
Harris put together quite the month against some of the top teams in the area. He displayed great versatility at 6-foot-6 and scored the basketball from inside and out. What impressed me most about Harris was his overall effort level. He has great motor and pursues every rebound as if every miss belongs to him.