MD/DC Roundtable: Weekend Takeaways
It was another weekend out on the road for the Prep Hoops Maryland team. I took the drive up to Scranton, Pa to watch the KYDA Invitational while Adam Ayalew and Houston Wilson checking in for the DMVElite Super Circuit…
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Continue ReadingIt was another weekend out on the road for the Prep Hoops Maryland team. I took the drive up to Scranton, Pa to watch the KYDA Invitational while Adam Ayalew and Houston Wilson checking in for the DMVElite Super Circuit down in Richmond, Va. The roundtable consists of different questions addressing our takeaways from each event.
1. Who was the most impressive prospect you saw this weekend regardless of class?
Giacubeno: 2022 NY Rens forward Kyle Filipowski was easily the best prospect I saw this weekend. When you consider the other programs that were in attendance such as Team Thrill, Team Final, City Rocks and others, that’s saying a lot. The Wilbraham & Monson Academy product put on a show and presented a strong argument to be considered as a top 20 prospect in the 2022 class. Filipowski already boasts a hefty high major recruitment, but the progressions in his game and the performance he put on this weekend should demand the attention of elite power five and blue blood programs.
Ayalew: I’d have to go with Maliq Brown Maliq Brown 6'8" | PF Blue Ridge | 2022 State #123 Nation VA (Team Loaded VA/Blue Ridge ’22). Standing a legit 6-foot-9 with incredible length, Brown is a difference-maker defensively. He demonstrates great instincts on that end of the floor and plays with ideal toughness.
Wilson: Maliq Brown Maliq Brown 6'8" | PF Blue Ridge | 2022 State #123 Nation VA had a very nice outing for Team Loaded Virginia as they were able to squeak out a two point victory against DC Premier in overtime at the DMV Elite Super Circuit. Brown has great length standing at 6’8 that helps allow him to do so much on both ends of the floor which is really going to help his game translate well to the next level. As soon as college coaches are allowed to hit the road again this summer, I expect Brown to get a major uptick in his recruitment.
Giacubeno: I write about this prospect constantly, but I have a good feeling that 2022 Team Thrill point guard Christian Winborne Christian Winborne 6'2" | CG Gilman | 2022 State #199 Nation MD is going to get some new high major attention thanks to his play throughout April. He added offers from Rutgers and St. Joseph’s after his play at the Team Thrill/Circuit Hoops Spring Showcase and followed up with solid production against top-tier guards this past weekend. The 6-foot-3 lead guard is coming into his own and showcasing he can provide balance as both a scorer and distributor from his position.
Ayalew: Quinn Clark Quinn Clark 6'6" | PF Gonzaga | 2022 State MD (District Basketball Club/Gonzaga ’22) is a safe bet to be a consistent producer throughout May and beyond. The 6-foot-6 forward has been playing at a high level recently. One thing Clark has done is establish himself as a player who simply doesn’t take plays off.
Wilson: I talked about him last week but I think Christian Winborne Christian Winborne 6'2" | CG Gilman | 2022 State #199 Nation MD is set to have a really good month. The Team Thrill guard has looked great early on this AAU season and I only expect that to continue. He continues to show his ability to score the ball in a variety of ways and is also distributing at a high level. He has looked good defensively too going up against some of the top offensive players on the east coast.
Giacubeno: Isaiah Coleman Isaiah Coleman 6'5" | SF Word of God | 2023 State #59 Nation NC made a massive statement in his first outing with Team Thrill. The 2023 guard made the switch from New World and came off the bench for Thrill in their first game against Final to light up the nets for 24 points. The 6-foot-3 guard can fill it up from three once he sees a shot fall and in the open floor can provide the cameras with high-flying finishes. Watch for Coleman to emerge as a key contributor for a very polished Team Thrill 16U group.
Ayalew: I got my first look at Justyn Fernandez ( DC Premier /Virginia Episcopal ’22) who impressed me. He is a rangy 6-foot-5 wing who does a bit of everything well. Defensively, I think Fernandez has a significant ceiling in part because of his ridiculous length.
Wilson: I easily could have mentioned him in the first question but I had never seen him before so it works perfectly for this question. Boubacor Mbengue of New World. Boubacor is about 6’11 who is new to the United States. He is a high major prospect that is a force down low on both ends of the floor. Offensively he will try and dunk everything with two hands and is always looking to have the ball so he can go to work. He is a rim protector on defense that is always talking on that end of the floor which was very noticeable. Mbengue is a no brainer high major prospect that coaches will be finding out about soon.