DMV Summer Warmup: 2024 Standouts
Over the weekend, teams traveled to The St. James to compete in the DMV Summer Warmup to prime themselves for the July live period. it was a great chance to take in some action on Sunday, which featured a plethora…
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Continue ReadingOver the weekend, teams traveled to The St. James to compete in the DMV Summer Warmup to prime themselves for the July live period. it was a great chance to take in some action on Sunday, which featured a plethora of top prospects from the surrounding areas. Who stood out in the 2024 class? Let’s take a look.
Luke Bamgboye Luke Bamgboye 6'10" | C AZ Compass Prep | 2024 State #110 Nation AZ | Team Thrill
Bamgboye’s stock has risen just about as much as any prospect in the local 2024 class. After a productive spring on the UAA Circuit, he caught plenty of attention with his play at DMV Live and is now considered a legitimate high-major prospect. Bamgboye’s length, instinctual timing and mindset as a shot-blocker sets him apart from his counterparts. While his frame is still rail thin at 6-foot-9, he has the will to recover playing against more physical bigs and still alter or block their attempts at the rim. He grabbed rebounds at their peak and quickly put his head down to rim-run in transition. His motor is one of the many aspects of Bamgboye’s game that translates at a high level.
Del Jones Del Jones 6'2" | PG AZ Compass Prep | 2024 CA-S | Team Durant
Playing with 17U, Jones brings a primary ball-handling and playmaking presence from his position that his team needs. He is a natural scorer who used his quick burst to blow by defenders, make his way to the rim and use craft to finish acrobatic lay-ups. When he forced the defense to collapse, he’d fling no-look dishes to cutting teammates or shooters spotting up on the perimeter. Jones was much better taking care of the basketball and instead of going for the homerun play, often times made the right read in split-second scenarios.
Donavan Freeman Donavan Freeman 6'9" | PF IMG Academy | 2024 #34 Nation FL | Team Takeover
Another 2024 prospect playing up on 17U, Freeman caught my attention with his silky smooth jumper that has become a legitimate threat from 15-to-17 feet. In their game against New World, they faced a lot of 2-3 zone where Freeman would plant himself in the corners or along the dunkers spot and make himself available playing off penetration. I would’ve liked to see him play in more situations at the high-post from a face-up position, but Freeman was successful in taking what the defense was giving him. It was also good to see him pursue rebounds on the defensive end, using his long, lanky frame at 6-foot-9 to his advantage.
Drew McKenna Drew McKenna 6'7" | PF Glenelg Country | 2024 #61 Nation MD | Team Melo
Similar to Bamgboye, McKenna has blown up over the last month on the recruiting front. He continued to show why he has the potential as a prized prospect thanks to his ability to fill up the scoring column in a hurry. At 6-foot-8, he has a quick first step that assists in him finding his spots within the mid-range where he possesses great balance getting into his pull-up jumpers. He makes shot off the catch beyond the arc with accuracy and has athleticism to be an impact in the open floor. Moving forward, playing through contact and still getting the looks that he wants will be an aspect I watch closely.
Derik Queen Derik Queen 6'9" | PF Montverde Academy | 2024 State #18 Nation FL | Team Thrill
In the matchup of the day, Team Thrill faced off against Team Durant in a 17U battle. Thrill edged Durant after trailing for most of the game and Queen’s consistent efforts throughout were key. Queen’s impeccable footwork when operating on the block makes for a joy to watch. His array of spins, half spins, up-and-unders or one-legged fadeaways are things you don’t see often in the high school ranks. The crowd was certainly keyed in on his matchup against 2023 Amani Hansberry Amani Hansberry 6'7" | C Mount St. Joseph | 2023 State #52 Nation MD and both proved why they are some of the best forwards that will have come out of the DMV and Baltimore areas.