Local Young Core Rankings
The high school action we observed this summer gave us a glimpse into the future. Many 2026 and 2025 prospects stood out with their respective teams; as a result, we have an idea of who could make an early impact.…
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Continue ReadingThe high school action we observed this summer gave us a glimpse into the future. Many 2026 and 2025 prospects stood out with their respective teams; as a result, we have an idea of who could make an early impact. Here is a rundown of our top 10 young cores from across the region.
Honorable Mention – Bishop Ireton (VA)
Silas Devonish was one of the more impressive rising freshmen to take the court with his high school squad this summer. He averaged close to 20 points per game at DMV live, good enough to rank him in the top 15 of the top scorer’s leaderboard. Devonish’s classmate, Ripp Kodi, is also one to watch for the future.
#10 – Maret (DC)
A pair of freshmen, DJ Hill and Nick Parris, logged significant minutes for the Frogs at DC Live. Hill is a quick lead guard who will help out with ball-handling duties while Parris is a wing who can put the ball in the hole efficiently. Those two, along with established varsity player Conner Lawrence Conner Lawrence 6'2" | SG Maret | 2025 State MD , combine to form a young core whose performances will likely factor greatly in Maret’s results.
#9 – Good Counsel (MD)
Neiko Mundey and Parker Robinson are a pair of highly-touted incoming first-year students who could be very good for a long time. Both guards impressed at DMV Live and will add depth to a strong backcourt. Shane Pendergrass Shane Pendergrass 6'8" | PF Mt. Zion | 2026 State MD is a name to know in the 2025 class who is on this roster.
#8 – St. John’s (DC)
This might be considered low considering the pool of high-end talent the Cadets are bringing into their 2026 class, but the fact is they still have to prove it this winter. Chase Foster, Devin Toatley, and Finley Billy caught our eye this summer and are on our radar for the upcoming season.
#7 – Bishop O’Connell (VA)
While it appears that returner Shane Lincoln Shane Lincoln 6'4" | PG Bishop O'Connell | 2025 State VA is primed to excel in a lead guard role, he will have some help. Jasiah Cannady and Adam Oumiddoch are a pair of highly touted 2026 prospects who will likely contribute. Keep an eye on this trio throughout the season.
#6 – Georgetown Prep (MD)
The Hoyas feature a formidable 2025 class led by emerging wing Akbar Waheed Jr. and sharpshooting guard Patrick McDonough Patrick McDonough 6'0" | PG Georgetown Prep | 2025 State MD . Frank Siaca-Bey Frank Siaca-Bey 6'8" | C Fairfax Christian | 2026 State VA is an intriguing frontcourt prospect to know among this group. The Clark Twins, Akeem plus Amahd, showed encouraging signs of progress this summer and are in our sights moving forward.
#5 – Archbishop Spalding (MD)
Given the precocious talent that Malik Washington Malik Washington 6'5" | SF Archbishop Spalding | 2025 MD has, it didn’t feel right to rank Spalding any lower than fifth. Kam Carter is a dynamic young guard who is a name to know from the Cavs 2026 class.
#4 – Bishop McNamara (MD)
It appears that Bishop McNamara is nestling comfortably into the top tier of the WCAC hierarchy. Their young core is stacked. Some names to know from 2026 include Alexander Prince Moody, Qayden Samuels, and Eric Wedge. 2025’s Jaren Curtis Jaren Curtis 6'1" | PG Bishop McNamara | 2025 State MD and Ben Chandler Ben Chandler 5'10" | PG Bishop McNamara | 2025 State MD each played key roles last year and will likely continue to do so.
#3 – McDonogh (MD)
There is nothing sneaky about what Jeff Exinor Jeff Exinor 6'4" | SF McDonogh | 2025 State #272 Nation MD brings to the table, but Rob Fields Rob Fields 6'7" | PF McDonogh | 2025 State MD is dripping with upside and could surprise some folks over the next few months. The Eagles coaching staff is also currently grooming a pair of promising 2026 guards in BJ Hopkins and Marcus Williams.
#2 – Paul VI (VA)
The Panthers feature Christian Gurdak Christian Gurdak 6'9" | C Gonzaga | 2025 State #156 Nation MD , who is currently our top-ranked prospect in Virginia’s 2025 class. They’ve brought in Jordan Smith Jr., who has a chance to be the top-ranked prospect in 2026 for Virginia. When you consider the presence of those two along with Jaquan Womack Jaquan Womack 6'7" | PF Paul VI | 2025 State #284 Nation VA and Wyatt Norton Wyatt Norton 6'8" | C Bishop O'Connell | 2025 State VA , it makes sense to see the Panthers near the top of this list.
#1 – Gonzaga (DC)
Gonzaga is looking loaded in 2025. Nykolas Lewis Nykolas Lewis 6'2" | PG Gonzaga | 2025 State #146 Nation MD is pushing Cameron Ward Cameron Ward 6'6" | SF Largo | 2025 State #30 Nation MD for that top spot in Maryland’s rankings. Derek Dixon Derek Dixon 6'4" | SG Gonzaga | 2025 State #153 Nation MD is also rising up the ranks. William Harper William Harper 6'4" | PG Gonzaga | 2025 State MD and Alex Touomou Alex Touomou 6'6" | PF Gonzaga | 2025 State #350 Nation MD are two high-upside prospects who are developing rapidly and could become contributors this winter. It remains to be seen what type of role 2026 Saxton Smiley will have within the program, but he jumped off the page with New World.