10 Best: 2021 Baltimore Frontcourt Prospects

For this series of ’10 Best’ articles, we’ll be taking a look at the 10 best players in the class of 2021 from different areas of the game. We’ll focus on prospects who either play their high school or AAU ball for a Baltimore based team and run down the list in alphabetical order. These players were featured in the frontcourt of their respective high school teams this past season. [player_tooltip player_id="902051" first="Sean" last="Carr"] | 6’6 | Mount St. Joseph Carr fills a key role for Mount St. Joseph by being the hardhat, utility forward. He brings toughness and versatility on the defensive end and can even guard wing players for stints. At 6-foot-6, Carr rebounds with determination, is willing to take charge and dive on the floor for loose balls. Offensively he sticks to earning his buckets from about 10 feet and in but can hit mid-range shots off the catch when left open. Jamai Felt | 6’7 | Randallstown Felt is flying under the radar but is primed to have a big senior season. At 6-foot-7 nearing 6-foot-8 with great length, he’s an elite shot-blocking presence. He has a good motor that shows in his willingness to run the floor where he finishes explosive dunks in transition. Putting on muscle and showing an improved feel for the game will force plenty of Division II and Division III programs to recruit him. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Kevin-Kalu.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1014958" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Kevin-Kalu-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="837931" first="Kevin" last="Kalu"] | 6’8 | City Kalu is a 6-foot-8 center who showed glimpses this past season for City. He has plus length and finishes very strongly on his dunks. Kalu isn’t at a point where he can do much off the dribble, but he plays to his strengths by setting effective screens, rebounding on both ends and finishing around the rim. He still has much room to grow as a player, which is why schools should be intrigued by him. [player_tooltip player_id="902036" first="Malik" last="Missouri"] | 6’5 | Gilman Missouri is another prospect that will likely be featured as a wing in college but plays most of his minutes as a four for Gilman. He’s 6-foot-5 with plus length for his size and is starting to show signs of returning athleticism following his battle with a knee injury that kept him sidelined for a chunk of last season. Missouri is a shot-maker from 17-feet and in, with his sweet spot located on either side of the baseline. He’s a capable threat from three with time and space but will still need to improve in this aspect for the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="902038" first="Detwan" last="Montague"] | 6’7 | Milford Mill Montague is an old school big who is best when operating on the block with his back to the basket. At 6-foot-7, his limited athleticism makes it difficult for him to guard stretch fours, but he can certainly provide quality minutes as an undersized five. He works extremely hard on the glass, running the floor and can finish nicely off penetrating guard’s dump off passes. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Clarence-Obiajulu.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1017187 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Clarence-Obiajulu-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="902017" first="Clarence" last="Obiajulu"] | 6’7 | Virginia Beach Academy Obiajulu will transfer to Virginia Beach Academy for his senior season, but I’m still including him on this list considering he played last season for City and was slated to play for Team Thrill on the UAA Circuit. He’s a 6-foot-7 workhorse that embraces physicality as a defender. He pursues rebounds at their peak and can also do so out of his area. Obiajulu is equipped with athleticism that helps him finish over the rim and showcases solid footwork when operating on the block. [player_tooltip player_id="902031" first="Cole" last="Paar"] | 6’9 | Glenelg Country Paar fills the role of being a swingman within Glenelg Country’s offense. He possesses good IQ that is displayed when he catches the ball at the top of the key or high-post and makes reads as a passer to cutting teammates. Paar isn’t a player that will try things outside of his limitations. Last season he operated on the block often and while he could’ve been more effective, he got the job done consistently. I’d like to see him rebound with more aggression before heading to the next level. He has the size and length, now just needs the mindset. [player_tooltip player_id="712747" first="Julian" last="Reese"] | 6’9 | St. Frances Reese is a 6-foot-9 forward who showed his worth by protecting the basket defensively early on last season for St. Frances. The Maryland commit is a southpaw who isn’t afraid to step out and knock down an occasional 15-to-17-foot jumper. More importantly, he’s an efficient finisher around the rim and uses his length to hold a presence on the glass at both ends. [player_tooltip player_id="902019" first="Cam" last="Smith"] | 6’7 | Loyola Blakefield Smith could be utilized more as a wing at the next level, but he’s featured more at the four for Loyola and will be even more this season. He’s a 6-foot-7 forward with explosive athleticism and a good-sized frame. He is a capable shooter with time and space. Smith is a shot-blocking presence around the rim and on occasion can grab the rebound and lead the break himself. Getting a better feel for the game will be key as to where he lands at the college level. [player_tooltip player_id="836490" first="Koralp" last="Turk"] | 6’7 | Mount Carmel Turk fits the mold of being a stretch four that the game has shifted to today. While he can stretch the floor with his three-point shot, he’s no stranger to getting inside and using his 6-foot-7 brute frame to bump in the paint. He’s a determined rebounder who possesses solid IQ. Becoming lighter on his feet would unlock another dimension of his game when you project how he fits at the collegiate level.