2019 Baltimore Prospects To Watch This Spring/Summer (Part I)
We are less than 30 days from the first live period of the AAU season. Crazy to think that a little over a week ago, the high school season was just coming to a close, but who would want it any other way?
With that being said, we’re going to spend some time looking at prospects from the Baltimore area in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 class over the next few weeks and give you some names to look out for as we dive into what should be another hectic spring/summer.
Let’s get started
James Bishop | 6’3 | Mt. St. Joseph/Team Thrill
Bishop had a strong junior season for the Gaels as he and Maryland commit Jalen Smith were regarded as one of the best duos the state has to offer. There were some points throughout the season where the 6-foot-3 lefty would takeover games offensively. Although it came in a buzzer-beating loss to John Carroll, Bishop’s most memorable performance came in the MIAA A Semifinals when he finished with 30 points. You can expect Bishop to have the same mentality as he did in that game throughout this AAU season with Team Thrill. Bishop has eight offers currently that include schools such as N.C. State, Virginia Tech and LSU just to name a few.
Bishop ranks No. 6 in our 2019 Player Rankings. Click here to see the full list!
RJ Blakney | 6’5 | St. Maria Goretti/Team Melo
Blakney was the primary scoring option for a tough, St. Maria Goretti squad this past season. The 6-foot-5 guard, who is known for his high-flying finishes in transition, improved steadily this season on his mid-range and three-point shot that made him even more difficult for opposing coaches to game plan for. Along with Marvin Price, Blakney will be leaned on heavily for offensive production for Team Melo in the always challenging EYBL Circuit. Blakney holds offers from VCU, Old Dominion, Long Beach State, St. Bonaventure, Tulsa and Mt. St. Mary’s.
RJ Blakney spin cycle 🤭 @Walbrook_Rj8 pic.twitter.com/fB6IqJDhgG
— Overtime (@overtime) February 15, 2018
Anthony Walker | 6’9 | Perry Hall/Team BBC
Walker made his case as being the biggest stock riser in the state this season with Perry Hall. The 6-foot-9 forward seemed to have a poster dunk in every game this season. Walker expanded his game more this season, though. It’s still a work in progress, but Walker became a more capable shooter from 15 feet and even hit the occasional three-pointer when left open. Defensively he was a force in both blocking shots and manning down the glass. He’ll play with a very talented Team BBC group that will feature 2020 guard Ace Baldwin, who Walker should have no problem meshing with when it comes to the alley-oop connection. Walker picked up offers from St. Bonaventure, Drexel, VCU and Buffalo all within a two-week’s span this past February.
https://twitter.com/AyalewAdam/status/971927719436062721
Yavuz Gultekin | 6’7 | John Carroll/Mid-Atlantic Select
“Yeezy” had a nice season for John Carroll as he helped lead them to a MIAA A Conference championship alongside Kentucky bound guard Immanuel Quickley and Rutgers commit Montez Mathis. The athletic 6-foot-7 wing plays with a great motor and energy, which should directly impact his teammates to do the same. When it comes to ways he can make his presence felt, scoring and rebounding at an alarming rate is what he’ll be expected to do for MAS this spring/summer. Next season at John Carroll he’ll be the main piece, so polishing his all-around game in the next six months will be huge for his development.
Logan Curtis | 6’3 | Calvert Hall/Team BBC
Calvert Hall struggled as a team this year, but Curtis stayed the course of being a knockdown shooter and relentless on-ball defender. He’ll be expected to do much of the same this year for Team BBC, who is equipped with plenty of players who can operate off the dribble. Curtis should see his share of open shots from the outside off of dribble penetration and will be leaned on to guard a main perimeter player on the opposing team.