Mayhem in Maryland-Standout 2023 Guards
Team Thrill and Team Takeover partnered to host an event in Baltimore, MD on Saturday with a solid field of teams for a May event to evaluate talent. I stuck primarily to the 17U games, so I’ll stick to 2023…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTeam Thrill and Team Takeover partnered to host an event in Baltimore, MD on Saturday with a solid field of teams for a May event to evaluate talent. I stuck primarily to the 17U games, so I’ll stick to 2023 guard prospects for this article before releasing the 2023 standout wings/bigs and other classes that were on display.
DeShawn Harris-Smith DeShawn Harris-Smith 6'5" | SF Paul VI | 2023 State #53 Nation VA | Team Takeover
Harris-Smith is one of the toughest matchups at the high schools level given his blend of size, strength and athleticism. That was the case throughout Saturday’s two games as the 6-foot-4 guard used his brute frame to power his way to the rim, embrace contact and either draw a foul or finish through the hit. Whenever Harris-Smith is able to get downhill, it’s trouble for his defender, but especially in the open floor where he can use his impressive footwork on euro-steps to avoid defenders who attempt to take a charge. He made the game-winning shot in the first contest against the Riverside Hawks, where nine of his 13 points came in the second half to help seal the win. The no. 3 player in the 2023 Virginia rankings holds offers from Villanova, Penn State and Georgetown amongst others.
Kenny Jackson Kenny Jackson 6'3" | PG #23 Nation PA | WeR1
Jackson had arguably the most complete performance of the day despite his team coming up short against Team Durant . Everything ran through him offensively and he proved that he can handle that responsibility even when faced against top tier talent. The 6-foot-3 lead guard has polished on his scoring ability from mid-range and three. He can create space off the bounce or get into his shot fluidly if his defender gives him enough space. Jackson operated well in ball screens where he’d use his quick burst to get into the paint and finish despite being contested at the rim. He caught a nasty lob to open up the second half, which helped showcase his explosion and elite athleticism for his position. Currently no. 16 in the PA 2023 rankings, Jackson should receive a major boost when those are updated as he’s now being courted by a handful of high major programs.
Xzayvier Brown Xzayvier Brown 6'1" | PG Roman Catholic | 2023 State #233 Nation PA | KLow Elite
Brown is a shifty, crafty guard out of Philly that definitely brings the typical energy of a lead guard that the City of Love produces. He utilized change-of-speed dribbles, quick crossovers and hesitations to slither his way to the basket where he’d finish with either hand. He had several lay ups that he snuck by contesting defenders thanks to inside hand finishes and he didn’t shy away from any contact that came his way. The 6-foot-1 floor general ranks as the no. 8 player in the 2023 PA rankings while holding offers from programs such as USC, Marquette, VCU and others.
Jahnathan Lamothe Jahnathan Lamothe 6'3" | CG St. Frances | 2023 State #204 Nation MD | Team Durant
Lamothe filled his role as the primary ball handler throughout the day for Team Durant and did so with decent security. I liked his balanced approach as a scorer and distributor. While he struggled early on to find his mark from deep, it eventually came around , but his effort and grit on the defensive end never hindered. Lamothe also had a few impressive drives where he’d locate open teammates for looks. Lamothe faced a slew of good guards throughout the day and measured up well against them. He ranks as the no. 11 player in the 2023 MD/DC rankings and is currently being prioritized by Maryland, Georgetown, Penn State and UCF.