MD/DC Roundtable: April’s Takeaways
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The past month has been an introduction into somewhat normalcy again as AAU tipped off. Some programs have participated in 2-to-3 events so far, which has given us a chance to see a decent amount of action and come away…
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Continue ReadingThe past month has been an introduction into somewhat normalcy again as AAU tipped off. Some programs have participated in 2-to-3 events so far, which has given us a chance to see a decent amount of action and come away with some takes that we’ve gathered throughout the month. That is what the team will be dissecting in this week’s roundtable discussion.
1. Who do you believe used the month of April to boost their stock the most?
Giacubeno: 2022 Team Thrill forward Michael Moore put together quite of month of action and catapulted himself onto the high major radar. The 6-foot-10 forward is athletic, long and active in every sense. He runs the floor with regularity, is a human eraser around the rim defensively and finishes with intent of tearing the rim down on the offensive end. The energy he provides is a major weapon for this Thrill team and exactly what they’ll need going forward in order to make a run at the UAA title. Prior to April, Moore held offers from Mount St. Mary’s, Stony Brook and Robert Morris. He has picked up offers from Seton Hall and Virginia Tech within the last week and I don’t expect that list to slow down anytime soon.
Ayalew: When I think of stock risers, my mind jumps to the 2023 class. This is a class that we continue to learn more about with each week. Two guys I got a close look at this spring, Jeannot Basima Jeannot Basima 6'3" | CG John Carroll | 2023 State #200 Nation MD and Solomon Ball Solomon Ball 6'3" | CG Brewster Academy | 2023 State #106 Nation NLG , are right at the top of that list. Both have positional size and defend. Basima has unique physical tools, a motor, and tangible upside while Ball is a polished scorer with a diverse skill base.
Wilson: 2022 Michael Moore of Team Thrill was dominant last weekend at the TTYS Showcase which has helped increase the level of interest from different colleges. Moore is a 6’10 forward that has been a force to reckon with in the low post for Team Thrill this spring. He is efficient around the rim and tries to dunk the basketball as much as possible. Defensively, he is a big time shot blocker and is constantly moving to where he needs to be on defense. Moore also has a tremendous nonstop motor that has helped turn his recruitment from mid major to high major as Virginia Tech is the latest school to offer him.
Giacubeno: 2024 Team Takeover guard Darren Harris thoroughly impressed me impressed me at the TTYS Spring Showcase. The 6-foot-5 guard, who attends Paul IV, is a dead-eye shooter from deep and has the ability to make shots by the boatload. He’s a player the defense must account for at all times in any scenario. Harris also has some sneaky athleticism that he displayed in the open floor. One specific possession in a game against BMaze Elite, Harris threw down a one-handed dunk over a defender that made the gym erupt. There’s still significant room for growth in his game, which leads me to believe he could quickly rise as one of the top 2024 DMV prospects.
Ayalew: Josiah Franklin, a class of 2022 prospect from St. Mary’s Ryken, is one of the better players I hadn’t heard about until recently. He’s a shifty combo guard who is tough, can score and makes a difference as a playmaker on both ends of the cour
Wilson: Diving into the 2024 class, I was really impressed with Caleb Williams Caleb Williams 6'7" | SF Sidwell Friends | 2024 State #93 Nation MD from Team Takeover. Williams currently plays for the 15 and under Takeover squad and has impacted his team on both ends of the floor. Williams is a 6’7 forward that showed he can finish nicely around the rim. Williams runs the floor well and has really good hands which allows him to be a threat on offense. Williams is currently enrolled at Sidwell Friends School in D.C.
Giacubeno: 2022 Team Melo wing/forward Cameron Whitmore Cameron Whitmore 6'7" | PF Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State #30 Nation MD already holds a number of impressive offers, but now that he’ll be displayed in front of the country on a consistent basis, I see his recruitment skyrocketing. His athleticism is purely unique and something you only see in NBA prospects. He’s already a high major prospect, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he started catching attention from blue blood programs once they see his potential. Notre Dame is the most recent program to offer while Maryland, Virginia Tech and UConn are all recruiting Whitmore aggressively.
Ayalew: I wouldn’t see surprised to see Kyle Pulliam Kyle Pulliam 6'3" | SG Good Counsel | 2022 State MD land his first D1 offer by the end of this summer. He’s playing his best ball right now for Global Squad and is steadily developing as an all-around player. Pulliam is a marksman from three but is very underrated defensively.
Wilson: I mentioned Michael Moore earlier as he is a no brainer. Sticking with Team Thrill, Christian Winborne Christian Winborne 6'2" | CG Gilman | 2022 State #199 Nation MD is on the verge of a spring breakout as he has been one of the main catalysts for the Thrill bunch. Winborne is a high level offensive player that can get it done with his scoring and passing ability. Winborne has a high basketball IQ as well.