Must-See Rising Baltimore Sophomores: Part 1
We’ve made it through the rising seniors and the rising juniors, so now we go to the mighty freshman from last season who will now look to have super sophomore campaigns. The class of 2020 is loaded with talent throughout the state of Maryland. In Baltimore specifically, there are at least three players who will or already are nationally known players.
Similar to the seniors and juniors, the sophomores will be broken down in two parts.
Adrian Baldwin | St. Frances Academy | 2020
Adrian “Ace” Baldwin is one of the more special talents as a point guard in the entire state, regardless of class. The 6-foot point guard made him impact felt immediately at St. Frances and quickly became the starter. Although the Panthers struggled in comparison to prior seasons, the growth that Baldwin experienced will be key for the 2017-18 season. Baldwin is extremely skilled and an elite passer. He sees plays form before they happen and makes everyone around him better. While his passing and playmaking is his strongest aspect, Baldwin can score the basketball with the best of them as well if that’s what the game calls for. Baldwin holds offers from Miami, Connecticut, Kansas State, Tulsa, Norfolk State, Denver and Drexel.
https://twitter.com/yeah_ace3/status/877338718838947840
Che Evans | Dulaney | 2020
Evans is already one of the premier scorers in the country. The 6’7 sophomore can play a combo of shooting guard and small forward with his size. Evans shines brightest when he has his man in an isolation situation. From there, he can take him to the basket off the dribble or rise over the defender with a jumpshot. Evans has the potential to be a tremendous all-around player as he continues to learn little technicalities defensively. When locked in, he can control the glass and be a shot-blocker around the rim. Evans will be one of the many special young pieces the Lions will have this season. He holds offers from Boston College, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Old Dominion, Penn State, St. John’s, TCU and UNLV.
🎥- S/o @HoopMajor 🔋🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/zV2dOAr3pQ
— Ché Evans Jr (@cevansjr10) August 6, 2017
Justin Lewis | Poly | 2020
Like Evans, Lewis is a nationally-known prospect and ranked amongst the best of his class. His versatility and ability to impact the game in many ways is what makes him such a talent. His length at 6’7 helps supply him with the tools needed to be an effective defender. He puts a lot of focus and energy defensively. Couple that with his athleticism and it makes for a versatile defender that can guard multiple positions. Lewis works hard on the glass and can single-handedly control the game from that aspect. Offensively, he can score efficiently, but the most underrated part of his game is his passing and decision-making. Poly head coach Sam Brand will likely feature him a lot in sets with the ball at the top of the key or the high post area looking to make bounce passes backdoor or skip passes for three’s. Lewis holds offers from Boston College, Kansas State, Old Dominion, Penn State, St. John’s and UNLV.
https://twitter.com/jusbuckets_5/status/894732648395948034
Rahim Ali | Poly | 2020
As a freshman, Ali played the floor general role to an Engineers team that hoisted their first state championship in program history. Not many can say they accomplished such a feat. Ali is a small, quick guard that operates well in ball screen action. He can make split second decisions based upon defensive rotations on whether to make a pocket pass to the rolling big man, a swing pass to an open shooter or look for a shot himself. Last season, he didn’t light up the nets with his own scoring, but he didn’t have to. With that being said, he’s made improvements to his mid-range jumpshot since he is already an efficient shooter from deep and finisher around the rim. Defensively he likes to keep pressure on his match up. Ali has good anticipation and active hands, both of which are musts for good point guards. The Engineers lost their rock in De’Vondre Perry (Temple), but with Ali still at the control next to Demetrius Mims (2018) and Justin Lewis, the Engineers should be the favorite in Baltimore City.
Jordan Toles | St. Frances Academy | 2020
If you seek high-flying poster dunks, than Toles is the player you’ll want to go watch. At 6’2, Toles is built like a college freshman but sustains elite athleticism. Dunks that players at 6’5 wish they could do, Toles is doing. He can make the game exciting in more ways than just dunking, though. Toles is a two-sport athlete (football and basketball). As a wide receiver, he has great hands and anticipation and that translates on the defensive end of the court in jumping the passing lanes. Toles holds one current offer from Denver, but is courting plenty of interest from other schools.