2021 Guards Affected by AAU Postponement (Part Two)
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 awaiting 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 guards in the Maryland and D.C. areas needed a spring session to either jump start their recruitment with programs or continue to get exposure in hopes of building a bigger offer list. Those are the players we will be mentioning in this article.
For part one of this series, click here.
Jao Ituka Jao Ituka 6'2" | SG Gaithersburg | 2021 MD | 6’2 | Gaithersburg
Ituka is unique in many ways. One way being that he’s keeping his recruitment very close to the vest and not announcing offers up to this point. There’s confidence that he has his selection, but he has not made them known to the public. With that being said he could’ve continued to grow that list this spring with more eyes on him. Ituka is a brute lead guard that can score in a variety of ways. He approaches the game in a mature manner and competes, constantly communicates and presents himself as an outstanding leader.
James Gross | 6’3 | Rock Creek Christian
Gross had a productive season with Rock Creek this season, especially in the early goings where he was scoring with impressive efficiency and getting to the free-throw line routinely. He’s one of the more athletic players at his position, which makes him must-see in transition. In the half court he does a nice job of getting into the paint where he either draws a foul, uses his athleticism to finish among challenging defenders or seeks out open teammates for good looks. His size and athletic ability make him a versatile defender where he can guard either guard position effectively. Howard and Bryant have offered Gross, but my prediction for this spring is that he would’ve added at least two more offers once schools witnessed all he can do on the floor.
Byron Ireland | 6’2 | St. Frances
Confidence is something that can take a player’s skill set to another level in a game setting. That’s what happened with Ireland this past season as he became a starter for nationally ranked St. Frances. The 6-foot-2 guard made smart decisions with the ball and showcased his understanding on how and when to pick his spots. He’s a capable shooter from three off the catch, but also can put the ball on the floor and manufacture buckets from the mid-range and painted area. Transitioning to AAU in the spring would have given programs clarification on Ireland’s confidence as he in slated to take on a much bigger role as a play maker next season for the Panthers. There are many low-majors tracking Ireland and mid-majors doing their homework on him. It’s only a matter of time before one pulls the offer trigger.
Ahmad Harrison Ahmad Harrison 6'1" | PG National Christian | 2022 MD | 6’1 | City
Harrison is an interesting prospect due to the number of areas he can contribute. The lefty combo guard has played out of position for the majority of his high school career and is often times picked to guard bigger players. He’s a heady, tough defender who uses his quick hands and instincts to cause turnovers. An above average rebounder at the guard slot, Harrison is most effective when leading transition opportunities with the ball. Harrison will suit up with a solid Team Thrill team at some point this summer (barring cancellations) on the UAA Circuit where he’ll have a number of scorers around to shine light on his play making abilities.
Trae English Trae English 5'11" | PG Baltimore Poly | 2021 State MD | 5’10 | Poly
A prediction of mine for the Baltimore area is English will be a huge stock riser during his senior season at Poly. Now expected to take over as the lead guard, he’ll get plenty of opportunities to prove his patience and trust of the process has been worth it. English was super effective as the sixth man for a nationally ranked Poly squad and many times set the tone defensively by pressuring his man the full length of the court. He was concentrated offensively getting his team in sets and attacking the heart of the defense to find his open teammates. What many don’t realize is his scoring ability, as he’s capable to fill it up in a hurry. The spring would have given him a chance to set expectations for what’s to come next winter. English does not hold any offers currently, but local low-majors have inquired on the 5-foot-10 guard.
Jaylen Hall Jaylen Hall 6'0" | PG New Hope | 2021 State MD | 6’0 | New Hope
Hall had a solid overall season for New Hope and caught our attention every time we saw his team. What stood out immediately is his willingness and determination as a defender to make life hard for his match up. Hall pressures the ball the full length of the floor with active hands a quick feet. During the East Coast Bump event, he put on a shooting clinic from deep and showed his potential as a knockdown threat at the next level. With no current offers, the spring platform could have established interest from programs and put his name on lists to watch for the upcoming high school season.
Antoine Jacks Antoine Jacks 5'10" | PG Good Counsel | 2021 State MD | 5’10 | Good Counsel
On a short list of players who improved the most throughout the 2019-20 season, Jacks was primed for an important spring. Southern offered him in early February as Jacks led a scrappy Good Counsel team at the lead guard position. He’s labeled as being one of the best defenders in the DMV, plays with tremendous energy and improved as a three-level scorer this season.
Ryan Prather Jr. Ryan Prather Jr. 6'3" | CG Bishop Walsh | 2021 State MD | 6’3 | Clarksburg
Prather had a special junior season as Clarkburg’s go to option. The 6-foot-3 guard can score from all three levels and is an underrated threat off the bounce. He’s effective at utilizing his frame to get shots off around the rim. When locked in, Prather can be an effective defender and rebound well out of his area for his position. His name began surfacing in conversations with college coaches and spring would have been a perfect opportunity for him to grow that interest.
Darrius Tilghman Darrius Tilghman 6'3" | PG Parkville | 2021 State MD | 6’4 | Parkville
Tilghman had a quietly productive season for a Parkville team that finished 22-3 and was preparing for the Class 4A Final Four before their season came to an abrupt end. Following what was a disappointing sophomore season at City, Tilghman reminded folks of his play making skill set as a lefty combo guard. Although he was battling a pretty severe case of knee tendinitis, Tilghman powered through and made big plays around the rim finishing with craft. He has high IQ as a driver and good size for what he can bring to the table. The spring would have been a platform to prove to colleges that were already interested in him that he is back to old form.