DMV Roundtable: Standouts, Spring, College Transfers
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Finally! The gang is back with the DMV Roundtable and look to make it a weekly article once again now that all signs point to consistent basketball this spring and summer. There’s plenty to cover, but for this week’s release…
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Continue ReadingFinally! The gang is back with the DMV Roundtable and look to make it a weekly article once again now that all signs point to consistent basketball this spring and summer. There’s plenty to cover, but for this week’s release we focus on recent events, what/who we are looking forward to this spring and take a look at local transfers in the college world.
1. It’s been a while since we’ve done a roundtable. Give some names you’ve seen recently caught in action who have stood out among the rest.
Giacubeno: The Baltimore Catholic League recently wrapped up their shortened season as John Carroll made a Cinderella run as the No. 6 seed (out of eight teams) and upset No. 1 St. Frances in the championship game. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Jeannot Basima Jeannot Basima 6'3" | CG John Carroll | 2023 State #200 Nation MD for this question. Basima is a 6-foot-4 sophomore who broke out in the semifinal and championship game logging 19 points and 29 points in each. It’ll be interesting to see if he can translate his production to the AAU stage. I’d be comfortable predicting that if he does, his recruitment will experience quite the uptick.
Cameron Whitmore Cameron Whitmore 6'7" | PF Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State #30 Nation MD continues to prove himself as a top prospect in the DMV regardless of class. The 6-foot-7 junior won BCL Player of the Year honors as he led Spalding to a 12-3 overall record. Throughout the season, Whitmore showcased his elite athleticism and polished offensive skill set. He was dominant in stints and absolutely unstoppable in transition. Expect him to have a huge spring and summer with Team Melo.
Ayalew: KJ Gardner from Springdale Prep is a young man I caught in action during a recent scrimmage, and I was impressed with his ranginess. Gardner, a class of 2023 prospect, is a long-striding combo guard who plays above the rim. He competes defensively and is dangerous in transition.
Wilson: I have been focusing more on the Prep Hoops Next side of things recently and there have been some good local teams that I have seen in previous weeks. I am going to throw three names out from the 2025 class that were impressive last weekend at the A-Game SuperShootout. Two of the prospects come from Team Thrill in Chris Thomas and Daveyon Lynder. The other prospect is from the DC Premier program in Cortlin Siska. You can read about all three of them here!
2. With AAU about to ramp up, are there any specific things or players you’re most looking forward to?
Giacubeno: I’m hopeful that we can establish a routine in the spring and summer and that all events will go as planned. If that’s the case there are a couple of names in particular that I’ll be watching closely. 2022 Mt. Carmel point guard Deon Perry Deon Perry 5'8" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2022 State MD is at the top of the list. The 5-foot-8 floor general put on a clinic this season in the BCL and helped his team exceed expectations with a 12-4 overall record. Perry has to be more of a primary scorer for the Cougars to win, but he showed last season with Team Melo he’s plenty capable of facilitating a team full of scorers as the distributor and making everyone around him better. A big summer could push him into strong consideration as the top point guard in the state.
2024 Mount St. Joseph guard Bryson Tucker Bryson Tucker 6'7" | CG IMG Academy | 2024 #15 Nation FL was a freshman that took the area by storm once he hit the scene. At 6-foot-5 he poses tremendous size for his position with a sound skillset and and a mature IQ for the game. He was featured as an off-ball guard for the Gaels this winter and scored at an extremely efficient clip. He plays with great effort at both ends. Tucker is the type of player that if you didn’t know he was 14 years old when you walked in the gym, you’d automatically assume he was a junior or senior. Tucker will spend this spring by focusing on making the Team USA U16 roster and will not participate in AAU.
Ayalew: Nothing specific. Just looking forward to embracing my time on the road and in the gym after a year of no travel.
Wilson: The main thing I am looking forward to seeing is the 2022 class. This is a big summer for them as it is their final AAU season and it was not the typical junior season they would have hoped for which limited exposure for them. I have not seen a lot of these kids recently so I am as excited to evaluate them as they are to play.
3. Within the DMV transfer market, who do you see having the biggest impact at their new school?
Giacubeno: I’m going with Qudus Wahab for this one. After averaging 12.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for Georgetown as a sophomore this season, the former Flint Hill standout made his commitment to head coach Mark Turgeon and the Maryland Terrapins. Maryland was desperate to strike gold in the transfer market especially in the frontcourt. They did just that with Wahab who should come in from day one as the starter and log big minutes. Even though the Terps had success this season with small-ball linueps, it was challenging to compete with the top teams in the Big Ten without a legitimate big man. Wahab sures any uncertainties up in that regard and will play a big role in the Terps returning to the NCAA Tournament next year.
Ayalew: Jay Heath at Arizona State. The Sun Devils are losing Josh Christopher to the NBA and Jaelen House to a transfer. Alonzo Verge is coming back, but the status of Remy Martin currently remains unknown. With that said, Coach Hurley has been active in the transfer market. Luther Muhammad has enrolled and will help fortify the backcourt along with Heath. A proven scorer and overall producer at the ACC level, the former Woodrow Wilson standout should be able to transition nicely into the “Conference of Champions”.
Wilson: Casey Morsell has not announced where he will be transferring to yet but I am anticipating a fresh new start for him and for him to show the type of player he can be. This was a kid that was co player of the year in the WCAC his senior year of high school and one of the hardest working kids I have covered. He had tough times adapting to the system at Virginia but I am certain he should make an impact on wherever he decides to transfer to.