Xan Classic: Underclassmen Phenoms All-Tournament Teams
In this article:
Location: Archbishop Spalding in Severn, MD Several weeks ago, a young photographer from the DMV, Xan Korman, was the victim of gun violence in PG County. Well-loved and well-respected among the players and coaches in the DMV basketball community, this…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingLocation: Archbishop Spalding in Severn, MD
Several weeks ago, a young photographer from the DMV, Xan Korman, was the victim of gun violence in PG County. Well-loved and well-respected among the players and coaches in the DMV basketball community, this showcase was organized to raise money for the Xan Korman Memorial Fund while also providing a much-needed platform for young men to compete in front of college coaches and talent evaluators to boost their recruitment heading into the 2021-2022 season. The showcase contained three age groupings, with incoming high school freshmen and sophomores playing in the Underclassmen Phenoms Showcase – we’ll delve into the All-Tournament teams for this group below. Picking the MVP for this showcase was by far the most difficult for the event, as a case could be made for each of the first team participants.
First Team
’24 6’6 SG Jayden Brown Jayden Brown 6'6" | SF St. Andrews Episcopal | 2024 State MD – St Andrew’s Episcopal- MVP
Most valuable player from the tournament was a consistent scoring machine that flashed the ability to score from all three levels with great efficiency. Lengthy, patient change of direction, Brown gets to his spots and elevates to finish over any defender. His midrange pull-up from any area of the floor is automatic and allows him to get a rhythm going each game
’24 6’7 SF Caleb Williams Caleb Williams 6'7" | SF Sidwell Friends | 2024 State #93 Nation MD – Sidwell Friends Academy
Lefty sniper was hitting shots from all over the perimeter while being guarded by the opponent’s best player, in every fashion- faders, pull-ups, set shots, step-backs. Williams can also get to the rim and uses sneaky athleticism and great timing to block shots at the rim. I expect him to have a huge year for Coach Singletary and Sidwell this season
’24 6’5 PG Ty Bevins Ty Bevins 6'5" | SG Gwynn Park | 2024 State #157 Nation MD – Gwynn Park
Phenomenal, phenomenal vision in the open court to find teammates with perfect timing on his passes. It’s rare that you see a player this young making push passes to corner shooters with either hand off the bounce, controlling the tempo in transition and in the halfcourt. Bevins can get his own too- consistent shooter when left open, very bouncy, uses pass fakes and a quick first step to create open lanes to the rim.
’24 6’6 SF AJ Swinton AJ Swinton 6'6" | SF Bishop O'Connell (VA) | 2024 State #134 Nation VA – DeMatha Catholic
We all know what Swinton can do at the rim- athletically he is a monster finishing in the paint- but the perimeter skills are beginning to shine through with good shooting touch on his pull-ups, set shots, and off-balance finishes in the paint. He handles the ball well from the wing without being a ball-stopper, finding the open man when his path to the rim is cut off. His play over the summer with Team Takeover began the push for his name to be included in the national spotlight, and an increased role at DeMatha this season will likely land him on college coaches’ radar at that national level.
’24 6’5 SF Israel Bosenge Israel Bosenge 6'5" | SF Bishop Walsh | 2024 MD – Archbishop Carrol (DC)
There’s not much on a basketball court that Bosenge can’t do, coming into the event with a reputation as a shooter but turning in a great all-around performance. Blocking shots on both the perimeter and at the rim, his defensive anticipation and length are earmarks for for lockdown wing defenders- a genotype that every high school and college coach is looking for on their teams. Bosenge is comfortable filling the wing or running the break, finishing well and cleaning up missed shots at the rim for him and his teammates.
Second Team
’24 6’6 SF Emmanuel Okitondo Emmanuel Okitondo 6'8" | PF Combine Academy | 2024 State NC – Archbishop Carroll (DC)
The Oak Hill transfer gave the DMV a glimpse into the palpable buzz that is building at Carroll this season when paired with Bosenge. Okitondo uses his athleticism to blow past defenders, contest shots, detonate put-backs, and body up with opponents. As his handle continues to develop, he’ll be able to get into sidestep and pull-ups with rhythm behind the arc. The athletic tools and motor should lead to him becoming a great defender.
’25 5’10 PG Jeremiah Harris– Bullis
Athletic point guard plays the game with a great burst, using his quickness to get by taller defenders to finish or facilitate in the paint with ease. With a flurry of threes in game one, Harris answered questions about his jump shot going into his freshman season with a very loaded Bullis team where he will have to balance his scoring with running the offense. Harris also showed some good defensive instincts- getting into passing lanes, fighting over screens, and staying down on ballfakes
’25 6’5 SG Akbar Waheed III– Georgetown Prep
Waheed turned in one of the best shooting performances of the day, hitting threes from all 5 spots throughout the showcase with great form and lift on his jumpshot. The smooth jumper will get him time on the floor as a freshman under Coach Blue in a system that relies on paint touches and shooting. Waheed uses his handle well to get to one or two dribble pull-ups going either way if a defender closes out too hard on the perimeter.
’25 6’6 SF Christian Thomas– SEED Academy
Physical wing spent the afternoon barreling through the lane and finishing at the rim, using his frame to absorb contact and create open looks at the basket. An effective and aggressive rebounder, Thomas creates extra opportunities for his team whenever he steps onto the floor. Very hard to guard from 18 feet and in, Thomas uses his pivot foot and shoulders to get to his spots to finish at a high level in the key.
’25 6’4 SF Charles Thomas– DeMatha Catholic
One of my favorite sleepers in the DMV, Thomas steps onto Madison St as a lengthy wing with magnetic rebounding ability. He has a nose for the ball, coming up with 50/50 balls and long rebounds before sweeping through the lane to score. The jumpshot looks good, as he continues to add range he will be even more of a dynamic matchup to stop in the half-court
Third Team
’25 6’7 PF Oliver Spence– Takoma Academy
Highly skilled, lefty, finishes well in the paint, uses length to rebound at high level, can shoot out to 18 feet
’24 5’11 CG Acaden Lewis Acaden Lewis 6'2" | PG Sidwell Friends | 2025 State #149 Nation MD – St. John’s
Shifty guard, finds teammates well off the bounce, switches gears to get to the paint and finish with a teardrop, great shooter when set
’25 6’1 PG Pete Newman– St. John’s
Floor general, takes care of the rock, shoots it well with consistent form, great handle, high floor as a prospect
’25 5’9 PG Patrick McDonough– Georgetown Prep
Lightning quick, great vision, plays hard on both ends, knockdown shooter from three levels, fearless
’24 6’ PG Aaron Jackson– Wise
Constantly puts pressure on the defense to provide help, lives in the paint, thrives in transition, good finisher through contact at the rim