2021 Frontcourt Players Affected by AAU Postponement
As many high school team’s saw their season come to an end, the focus for prospects began to shift towards spring. Sure, there were still a small number of schools competing for championships, but the majority of prospects were at…
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Continue ReadingAs many high school team’s saw their season come to an end, the focus for prospects began to shift towards spring. Sure, there were still a small number of schools competing for championships, but the majority of prospects were at home preparing for their AAU practices to commence and eventually, the live periods of April to help boost their recruitment. Over the years we’ve seen plenty of players catapult their play in the spring months into college interest and offers.
The world was hit with the unknown that is now the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus has caused all spring events to be canceled and hope remains we can pick up sometime this summer or even as early as May. Will the live period calendar see adjustments? That’s yet to be announced, but what we do know is that a number of 2021 forwards in the Maryland and D.C. areas could have used the platforms to boost interest from college programs or grow their list of offers. Those are the players we will be highlighting in this article.
Jonathan Izemef Jonathan Izemef 6'9" | C National Christian | 2021 State MD | 6’9 | National Christian
Despite a productive season at National Christian and impressive showings at various camps last summer, Izemef is still flying under the radar. The 6-foot-9 forward is more of an old-school big at this point who likes to operate on the block and prides himself in his rebounding, shot blocking and rim-rocking dunks. Like many bigs with his current skill set, there are still areas that need polished and extending his versatility would increase his overall value.
Zaakir Williamson Zaakir Williamson 6'7" | PF Rock Creek Christian | 2021 PA | 6’7 | Rock Creek Christian
Williamson held it down as one of the only paint presence frontcourt players for a scrappy Rock Creek team this past season. Williamson may be considered slightly undersized for his position in today’s game, but leverages his body well and has evolved more into a perimeter threat as time goes on. With nine current offers, Williamson isn’t a prospect that is being undervalued, but the spring was a chance for him to showcase his improvements in hopes to earn a few more offers from higher conferences.
TJ Gadsden TJ Gadsden 6'6" | PF St. Andrew's | 2021 MD | 6’7 | St. Andrew’s
Gadsden’s name starting gaining traction with local programs as his development seems to really be coming together. At 6-foot-7 with length and great athleticism, Gadsden can guard multiple positions defensively and is always a threat to finish above the rim in the open floor. His timing on rebounds offensively results in put-back slams and he doesn’t try to force situations that don’t fit his skill set at this point. Mount St. Mary’s was Gadsen’s first offer while George Mason extended one of their own back in December.
Terence Butler Jr. | 6’7 | Bishop McNamara
Butler is one prospect that I’m surprised hasn’t received more attention. At 6-foot-7 with a big body and consistent motor, Butler presents mismatches in different areas. The lefty is a capable shooter out to 19 feet and can also make things happen occasionally off the bounce. An efficient finisher around the rim, Butler’s physical presence helps collect rebounds in bunches and his length helps distort opponent’s shots in the paint. Drexel offered the Bishop McNamara standout back in June.
Abdou Samb Abdou Samb 6'8" | C Frederick Douglass | 2021 State MD | 6’8 | Frederick Douglass
Samb once again played a crucial role for a good Frederick Douglass team by manning the paint and controlling the glass throughout his junior season. The 6-foot-8 big seems to be improving at a respectable rate and could’ve further proved that this spring. Samb holds two offers from Mount St. Mary’s and Stony Brook.
Jedy Cordilia Jedy Cordilia 6'9" | C West Nottingham | 2021 State MD | 6’9 | West Nottingham Academy
Cordilia has been labeled as a long term prospect with a ton of upside, but he showed steady improvements this season as his confidence has been taken to new heights. At 6-foot-9 with impressive length, he’s a versatile defender who can contests shots at the rim, rebound well out of his area and finish strong dunks in transition. The Netherlands native continues to get more comfortable with the American game and programs such as Howard, Mount St. Mary’s and Stony Brook are buying in by extending offers.
Dauoda Dembele | 6’6 | Springbrook
Dembele is an undersized big who put the area on notice with a dominant season for a Springbrook team that was set to play in the Class 4A Final Four. His play earned him MD/DC All-Junior Third Team honors. Dembele was a double-double threat every time he touched the floor and looked to translate that production into AAU to manufacture interest and offers among college programs.
Bobby Hill Bobby Hill 6'5" | PF Reservoir | 2021 State MD | 6’5 | Reservior
Hill experienced a breakout junior season as the main threat to a sneaky good Reservior squad. The DeMatha transfer displayed his versatility as a slightly undersized forward by producing at both ends and at a high rate. A top candidate for Howard County Player of the Year, Hill logged double-doubles routinely and grew as a leader throughout the past handful of months. Spring would’ve been a great platform for Hill to show that confidence against higher level competition.