Twin-Towers: DMV’s Top-10 Big Man Duos
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Wondering who the top big man tandems in the DC Metro Area are? You’ve come to the right place. This article breaks them down, in order, starting from 10 and counting down to 1. *Editor’s Note: Baltimore area prospects are…
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Continue ReadingWondering who the top big man tandems in the DC Metro Area are? You’ve come to the right place. This article breaks them down, in order, starting from 10 and counting down to 1.
*Editor’s Note: Baltimore area prospects are not included in this list.
10. Jonathan Izemef Jonathan Izemef 6'9" | C National Christian | 2021 State MD and Dut Kuol Dut Kuol 6'10" | C Olympus Prep | 2022 State NJ | National Christian (MD)
At 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-9 respectively, Izemef and Kuol are the tallest tandem on this list. In terms of productivity, Izemef is much further along at the moment. A rising junior, Kuol is Izemef’s backup and still has to develop physically before he can begin to make a significant impact. Izemef, a rising senior, is expected to be the starting 5 man again and anchor the defense while providing points in the paint.
9. William Moreau William Moreau 6'5" | C Bullis | 2021 State MD and Gideon Sahlen Gideon Sahlen 6'8" | C Bullis | 2022 State MD | Bullis (MD)
It should be noted that Bullis is rumored to be adding some help in the frontcourt, but for now, we’ll go with what we know. Moreau and Sahlen complement each other nicely in the frontcourt. A 6-foot-7 rising junior, Sahlen is a back-to-the-basket scorer who can pass out of the post and protect the rim. A 6-foot-5 rising senior, Moreau is a stretch forward who moves without the ball, sets solid screens, and plays solid interior defense.
8. Abdou Samb Abdou Samb 6'8" | C Frederick Douglass | 2021 State MD and Mike Woods Mike Woods 6'4" | SF Frederick Douglass | 2021 State MD | Douglass (MD)
Both rising seniors, Samb and Woods are a very dynamic frontcourt duo. A 6-foot-8 big man with long arms and a non-stop motor, Samb is very mobile and can score in a myriad of ways while providing rim protection and rebounding. Woods, a lanky 6-foot-4 forward, is considered more of a face-up guy who likes to get downhill and slash into the paint but is not afraid to mix it up inside and is very active on the glass.
7. Jason Moore Jason Moore 6'6" | PF DeMatha | 2023 MD and Jerrell Roberson Jerrell Roberson 6'8" | C DeMatha | 2022 State MD | DeMatha (MD)
Moore is likely going to play football at the next level, and Roberson is more potential than production at this point, but this list would not be complete without mention of these two. A sturdily built 6-foot-5 rising sophomore, Moore is a bruiser in the post who gets the job done on both ends of the floor. A slender 6-foot-8 rising junior, Roberson has intriguing physical tools and the chance to be a productive two-way player.
6. Tyler Coleman Tyler Coleman 6'6" | PF Paul VI | 2021 State VA and Jack Jensen Jack Jensen 6'8" | C Paul VI | 2021 State VA | Paul VI (VA)
Coleman and Jensen are two extremely hard workers who are starting to see the fruits of their labor. Both rising seniors, they’ll continue to play an important role for the Panthers as they did this past season. A 6-foot-7 post, Coleman earned Honorable Mention All-WCAC for his efforts last season. Jensen, a 6-foot-7 forward, is a jack-of-all-trades who fills whatever role he is asked to.
5. Matt Akers and Stefan Marcelle Stefan Marcelle 6'7" | C Georgetown Prep | 2022 State MD | Georgetown Prep (MD)
Akers and Marcelle give Prep an advantage in the paint against all of their IAC foes. A rising senior, the 6-foot-6 Akers is a workhorse who can score in the paint, rebound, and block shots. Marcelle, a 6-foot-7 rising junior, has a similar impact but offers more upside because of his athleticism.
4. Tyler Mason Tyler Mason 6'10" | PF Bishop Walsh | 2023 VA and David Onanina David Onanina 6'6" | PF Bishop O'Connell | 2022 State VA | Bishop O’Connell (VA)
Mason and Onanina are without a doubt one of the top big man duos in the WCAC. Onanina, a 6-foot-7 rising senior who is a regular starter for the Knights, is a high effort big who is a double-double threat each time he hits the court. Mason, a lanky 6-foot-8 forward who is entering his sophomore campaign, has great command of his body at a young age and could potentially develop into an elite rim-running, shot-blocking presence.
3. George Perkins George Perkins 6'8" | PF Sidwell Friends | 2022 State MD and Chris Russell Chris Russell 6'5" | C Sidwell Friends | 2023 State MD | Sidwell Friends (DC)
There is a lot to like about both Perkins and Russell. A 6-foot-8 rising junior, Perkins is a versatile forward who scores inside out and can defend all over the court. Russell meanwhile, a 6-foot-6 rising sophomore, is like the energizer bunny. His motor is always running and is always finding some way to impact the game while on the court.
2. TJ Gadsden TJ Gadsden 6'6" | PF St. Andrew's | 2021 MD and Marcel Gardner Marcel Gardner 6'9" | C St. Andrew's | 2023 State MD | St. Andrew’s (MD)
Gadsden would probably not classify himself as a big man, but the 6-foot-6 rising senior who is committed to George Mason is the perfect modern-day 4 man. He can guard virtually every position, can score inside out, and do some things with the ball, but also adds high-quality intangibles to any team. Gardner on the other hand, a 6-foot-8 rising sophomore, is a more traditional big who protects the paint, rebounds, and finishes inside.
1. Favour Aire Favour Aire 6'10" | C Bishop McNamara | 2022 State #86 Nation MD and Terrence Butler Terrence Butler 6'7" | PF Bishop McNamara | 2021 State MD | Bishop McNamara (MD)
In terms of productivity and upside, Aire and Butler are as good as it gets when considering the DMV’s top big man tandems. A 6-foot-10 rising junior, Aire was named All-WCAC First Team after a dominant campaign in which he averaged a double-double and several blocked shots per game. Butler, a left-handed 6-foot-7 rising senior, has quietly been one of the more productive players in the league over the last few seasons.
Honorable Mention (Listed Alphabetically By School)
Solomon Eric Solomon Eric 6'8" | C Eleanor Roosevelt | 2021 State MD and Thomas Whitley Thomas Whitley 6'6" | PF Eleanor Roosevelt | 2021 State MD | Eleanor Roosevelt (MD)
Zach Bolgert Zach Bolgert 6'7" | PF Fairfax Christian School | 2022 State VA and Haze Green | Fairfax Christian (VA)
Jack Dolan and Reis Jones Reis Jones 6'6" | C Oxon Hill | 2021 MD | Flint Hill (VA)
Nicholas Evans and Will Scherer | Gonzaga (DC)
Caleb Furr Caleb Furr 6'6" | PF Bishop Walsh | 2022 VA /Luke McEldon/ Patrick O’Brien Patrick O’Brien 6'8" | C Bishop O'Connell | 2023 State VA | Highland (VA)
Henrikas Kalnius Henrikas Kalnius 6'7" | PF New Hope | 2021 MD and Jorclay Kaniki Jorclay Kaniki 6'8" | C New Hope | 2021 State MD | New Hope (MD)
Kenny McKoy Kenny McKoy 6'5" | C Wise | 2021 MD and Amare Wimbush Amare Wimbush 6'7" | SF Wise | 2022 State MD | Wise (MD)