DMV Roundtable: Recent Commitments, 2021’s Gaining Traction, Local NCAA Transfers
Here at Prep Hoops Maryland, we like to keep the content pumping. It’s been a couple of weeks since our last roundtable, but we’re back! Even without games being played there has still been an overflow of news to address.…
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Continue ReadingHere at Prep Hoops Maryland, we like to keep the content pumping. It’s been a couple of weeks since our last roundtable, but we’re back! Even without games being played there has still been an overflow of news to address. Without further ado…
1. Over the course of the past couple of weeks, a number of local prospects have committed. Which commitment has been your favorite?
Giacubeno: There have been plenty of great announcements from players who will go on and be impacts at their new schools, but I’m going with Rahim Ali Rahim Ali 5'11" | PG Baltimore Poly | 2020 State MD ‘s pledge to Howard. Over the course of his high school career, the 5-foot-11 floor general has proven to be the definition of a winner. He led Poly to three-straight state titles and was on the verge of a fourth before COVID-19 brought the season to an abrupt end. Look for Ali to have a real chance to earn bulk minutes for the Bison next season. He’ll bring toughness, IQ and a winning culture to a program who is in dire need.
Ayalew: Matias Prock committing to UMaine was huge. The former McLean star took a post-grad year at Fork Union, and it paid off for him. Prock was always an underrated player. A true floor general who can score in a myriad of ways, but has unique playmaking abilities. I think if given ample opportunity, he could surprise some people with how well he plays at Maine.
Wilson: DeLonnie Hunt is going to end up being a really good get for Wagner. During Hunt’s recruitment process he was vastly underrecruited which could haunt some local programs a few years down the road. Hunt has tremendous playmaking skills and never backs down from the competition which should allow him to contribute right away in the NEC.
Giacubeno: DeMatha wing Jordan Hawkins Jordan Hawkins 6'5" | SF DeMatha | 2021 State #41 Nation MD picked up two Big East offers over a nine-day span from Xavier and Georgetown. A 6-foot-6 long, athletic shooter, Hawkins has the potential to check every box college programs hope for in their wings. I’d say Hawkins exceeded expectations with his production at DeMatha this season. There were questions if he could adjust after transferring from a public school to arguably the best conference in the country. As Georgetown and Xavier extended their offers, don’t be surprised if we see a few more Big East or power 5 schools get involved.
Ayalew: It’s gotta be Angelo Brizzi Angelo Brizzi 6'3" | PG Highland School | 2021 State #216 Nation VA , right? I mean, with Villanova offering him, I’d expect the flood gates to open up soon. He’s got great positional size, shot-making abilities, and versatility.
Wilson: I think we are beginning to see the type of recruit Jordan Hawkins Jordan Hawkins 6'5" | SF DeMatha | 2021 State #41 Nation MD is turning out to be. Since the beginning of April, Hawkins has received offers from UConn and Georgetown and I believe more high major offers will be sent out his way after coaches evaluate his film from his junior season at DeMatha where he emerged as a legitimate scorer anytime he touched the basketball and showed potential on defense because of his length and versatility.
Giacubeno: I’m really enjoying the transfers that George Washington is putting into place. Not only are they getting guys who were undervalued at their previous programs, but they’re also making a concerted effort to bring in DMV prospects. James Bishop made it official with his move from LSU. A 6-foot-2 lefty guard from Mt. St. Joe, Bishop is a dynamite scorer who got lost in the shuffle on an LSU team that had no shortage of guard talent. Ricky Lindo will make the short trip from College Park, Maryland to D.C. Lindo is a former Wilson standout and saw limited minutes in his first two seasons with the Terps. At 6-foot-8 and versatile on both ends, Lindo should have an increased role and more freedom to showcase his abilities in the A-10.
Ayalew: Mekhi Long leaving Rhode Island caught me by surprise. I think he will do very well at Old Dominion, but I believe he could’ve eventually developed into an impact player at URI. Long was a top-100 player in high school and he’s still relatively young for his grade. He’s still got a ways to go before reaching his full potential and I thought playing in the A10 would have brought the best out of him.
Wilson: I was really shocked when I heard Trey McGowens was deciding to transfer from Pittsburgh. The former Hargrave standout was a building block for Jeff Capel when he first took over the ACC program and just finished a solid sophomore season averaging 11.5 points per game. Yes, Fred Hoiberg is known to build his rosters through the transfer portal so it is no surprise Fred was able to get a talented prospect like Trey to transfer to Nebraska but I thought forsure Trey would be on the Panthers roster when Capel was finally able to get Pitt back into the NCAA tournament.