Top-10 Unranked Names to Know in 2022
The class of 2022 is filled with late bloomers and young individuals who have not had adequate exposure due to the pandemic. With that being said, we continue to learn more about this class with each weekend that passes. Here…
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Continue ReadingThe class of 2022 is filled with late bloomers and young individuals who have not had adequate exposure due to the pandemic. With that being said, we continue to learn more about this class with each weekend that passes. Here are the top-10 unranked names to know from DC, Maryland, and Virginia in 2022.
#10 | Byron Gaskins | 6’1″ Guard | MD Movement/Christ Chapel (VA)
Christ Chapel’s season was marred by pandemic restrictions, but Gaskins was able to make his mark, particularly defensively in his team’s season opener at Fairfax Christian. He has quickly established a reputation as one of the better perimeter defenders in Northern Virginia.
#9 | Michael Cooper | 6’2″ Guard | Virginia Premier/Woodbridge (VA)
Michael Cooper has been a difference-maker at Woodbridge since before the pandemic, but we finally got eyes on him this spring with Virginia Premier. The southpaw slasher is a relentless scorer who is very good in transition.
#8 | Thomas Maloney | 6’2″ Guard | NOVA Cavaliers/Gonzaga (DC)
Maloney featured during the St. James Winter League for the Eagles. This is when he first emerged on our radar. He has since joined the NOVA Cavaliers where his tenacity and ability to score inside or out have stood out.
#7 | Stephen Barber | 6’1″ Guard | Virginia Premier/Glenvar (VA)
Stephen Barber is the type of player who does all the little things that help win games. He rebounds his position, distributes the ball well, and guards tenaciously.
#6 | James Dapogny | 6’4″ Wing | NOVA Cavs/Falls Church (VA)
Dapogny brings size and versatility to the wing position. He may not consistently put up big numbers on a well-balanced NOVA Cavs team, but expect him to be a breakout performer in the winter for his high school squad.
#5 | Jamie Ntiamoah | 6’4″ Forward | EC Hoopers/Riverside (VA)
Ntiamoah is listed at 6-foot-4, but he’s built like a rock and his length helps him play much bigger than his listed height. He attacks the glass and rebounds the ball with two hands. Ntiamoah is a rangy and active defender who makes plays for his teammates both in transition and half court.
#4 | Lorenzo Cole | 6’6″ Center | NOVA Cavs/Wakefield (VA)
Lorenzo Cole is as physical of a big as you’ll find in Northern Virginia. He can score consistently in the paint, but he is also a disruptive figure around the basket for those who attempt to challenge him.
#3 | Kristopher Mickens Jr. | 6’5″ Wing | DMV Stags/Paul VI (VA)
Mickens came to PVI from North Carolina last season. While he is still relatively unknown in local recruiting circles, the uber-athletic wing is a safe bet to flip the script moving forward.
#2 | Jayden Evans | 6’7″ Forward | Big Shots Elite VA/Hampton Christian (VA)
Evans is an above-the-rim athlete who guards multiple positions. Don’t be fooled by his slender frame, because he is tougher and stronger than he might initially appear.
#1 | Josiah Franklin | 6’1″ Guard | SMD Heat/St. Mary’s Ryken (MD)
If you don’t know who Josiah Franklin is now, odds are that you will by the end of the calendar year. The shifty guard prospect has WCAC experience, and he is putting that to use during the grassroots campaign. Franklin is extremely shifty with the ball. He can score at all three levels but also gets his teammates involved and competes defensively.