National Hoopfest 2023 DMV Standouts
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The National Hoopfest returned after a year hiatus at DeMatha High School in Maryland, bringing some of the top talent from around the DMV and the country together for one of the top events in the country. There were teams…
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Continue ReadingThe National Hoopfest returned after a year hiatus at DeMatha High School in Maryland, bringing some of the top talent from around the DMV and the country together for one of the top events in the country. There were teams from the DMV as well as PA, WV, OH, AZ, NY and NJ in attendance.
Here’s a look at some of the 2023 standouts from teams in the DMV.
Isaiah Coleman Isaiah Coleman 6'5" | SF Word of God | 2023 State #59 Nation NC | 6’5” WF | National Christian
Coleman continues to see his stock sky rocket as he continues to play well in big events, and this one was no different. The 6’5” wing showed the whole repertoire in their first two games before they picked up a third game after a team dropped out and they were out of gas, as he showed his athletic finishing and rebounding ability, his ability to score the ball in a number of different ways and his ability to play and guard multiple positions. In their two wins, he averaged 21 points and 9 rebounds and he’ll be one of the most productive players in the DMV this year.
Malik Mack Malik Mack 6'0" | PG St. John’s | 2023 State #260 Nation MD | 6’1” PG | St. John’s
Mack missed last season due to injury, and his return gives St. John’s a much needed boost in production and scoring at the guard position. The 6’1” lefty is both smooth and dynamic, he plays with a great motor on both ends of the floor and he’s able to create for himself and others off the bounce and make tough shots from multiple levels. He finished their only game with 13 points on 50% from the field with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
Carlton Carrington Carlton Carrington 6'4" | CG St. Frances | 2023 State #84 Nation MD | 6’4” CG | St. Frances
Carrington is another stock riser on this St. Frances group that will be an x-factor for them this season as he can score it in bunches but he also brings good tools on both ends of the floor. He’s growing and very long and he uses it both ball handlers, he can stick it from deep and is excellent with the pull-up and he brings a competitive chip to his game. He finished with a double-double of 13 and 10 in their win over Archishop Stepinac and had 12 points and 3 steals in their win over DeMatha.
DeShawn Harris-Smith DeShawn Harris-Smith 6'5" | SF Paul VI | 2023 State #53 Nation VA | 6’5” WF | Paul VI
Harris-Smith is set to have a breakout season for PVI, and he wasted no time at the national event showing he’s one of the top prospects in the DMV in their wins over Patrick School (NJ) and Archbishop Spalding (MD). The 6’5” wing is known mostly as an energy guy and a defender which he brought in both games, but he showed he’s improving off the bounce as a playmaker and he was an efficient scorer in a number of different ways. In their win over Patrick School he was named MVP going for 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting and chipping in 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals, and in their win over Spalding he was even more impressive going for 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting and chipping in 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
Liech Kong Liech Kong 6'6" | C Rock Creek Christian | 2023 State MD | 6’8” PF | Rock Creek Christian
While Kong didn’t put up huge numbers for a Rock Creek team that has a lot of scoring on the wing, he was great as their inside presence holding down the paint and being efficient in his touches. He’s put on strength and is able to out muscle guys in the post, he’s mobile and active in the paint and he makes it difficult for driving guards. He finished with 7 points and 6 rebounds on 3-for-5 shooting in their win over Coolidge.