DC’s Top-10 Ball-Handlers

<p>Who are the top ball-handlers currently attending school in the Nation’s Capital? The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the very best, regardless of class. Below you will find, listed in alphabetical order by last name, 10 of the top ball-handlers from Washington D.C. This is part of a series that will aim to highlight players based on various superlatives.</p> <p><em>Note: these superlative lists will not be mutually exclusive. If someone can handle the ball and do something else (i.e. shoot) at a high level, they will be included in both lists. </em></p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="836516" first="Mark" last="Aiken"] | Thurgood Marshall ’21</h5> <p>Though he is often off the ball in favor of his twin brother Mike, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="836516" first="Mark" last="Aiken"]</strong> is more than capable of initiating offense with the ball in his hands. He’s skilled with the ball, adept at getting into the paint and making positive things happen. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="775329" first="Michael" last="Aiken"] | Thurgood Marshall ’21</h5> <p>Along with his brother Mark, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="775329" first="Michael" last="Aiken"]</strong> is responsible for most of the ball-handling duties at TMA. A crafty ball-handler who keeps others involved, he constantly slices through the defense like a hot knife through butter. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="902074" first="Michael" last="Cheadle"] | Dunbar ’21</h5> <p>Cheadle was the first name that came to mind when thinking of this list. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmuoKI0wSNk"><strong>As you can see in this video</strong></a>, he’s extremely confident with the ball in his hands.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="562690" first="Ryan" last="Cornish"] | Sidwell Friends ’21</h5> <p>Cornish is known primarily for his shooting, but his handle is an underrated part of his overall game. He often evades traps with his ball control and keen ability to split double teams, but can also create space for his shot as well. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="837921" first="Devin" last="Dinkins"] | Gonzaga ’22</h5> <p>Though he’s been off the ball for a good amount of time throughout the first half of his high school career, Dinkins is highly skilled and has proven he’s more than capable of running an offense as a primary ball-handler. We’ll see a whole lot more of that next season and beyond.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="957022" first="Cam" last="Gillus"] | Sidwell Friends ’23</h5> <p>To be blunt, Gillus keeps the ball on a string. He is a reliable floor general who takes care of the ball and plays at a good pace.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="904673" first="Miles" last="Hicks"] | St. Albans ’22</h5> <p>Hicks is an extremely valuable part of the St. Albans program. He’s by far the best ball-handler on the team and is an integral part of their ability to generate offense.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="957050" first="James" last="Lerner"] | Maret ’23</h5> <p>It’s safe to assume that Lerner will continue to be a crucial part of the program at Maret for the duration of his high school career. His sound skill set includes the ability to handle pressure and show composure while generating offense. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="957026" first="Malik" last="Mack"] | St. John’s ’23</h5> <p>Mack logged heavy minutes during a productive freshman campaign and has a bright future. The Cadets will likely ask him to take on the principal ball-handling duties moving forward, and he is poised to excel in that role. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="904651" first="Ridge" last="Parks"] | Maret ’22</h5> <p>In conjunction with his tight handle, Parks boasts superb quickness which helps him penetrate opposing defenses with relative ease. He’s a tough cover as a result and was a no-brainer pick to make this list. </p>