10 Best: 2021 Baltimore Playmakers

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. This list will be comprised of the best playmakers. Playmakers not only can make things happen for themselves, but also free up shots and opportunities for those around them. [player_tooltip player_id="775326" first="Jared" last="Billups"] | 6’6 | McDonogh Billups can impact the box score in many ways. At 6-foot-6, he presents good size and handles the ball decently enough to break down his defender, get into the paint and analyze how the defense is guarding weak side rotations on the fly. His athleticism makes him a threat to finish above the rim. As a result, usually defenses are keyed in on quick help rotations and Billups has improved anticipating which teammate will be free for an open look. [player_tooltip player_id="712769" first="Jalen" last="Bryant"] | 5’11 | John Carroll Bryant’s name has appeared on many of the lists and for good reason. His outside shot sets the table for the rest of his game and gives him plenty of opportunities him to attack close outs and force the defense to make a decision. He has good instincts as a scorer in the paint or as a passer within John Carroll’s system. [player_tooltip player_id="902001" first="Ryan" last="Conway"] | 6’1 | Dulaney Conway is another primary ball-handler whose shot really sets the tone for how the defense guards him. His man has to account for him as soon as he crosses half court, which leaves a ton of room for him in isolation situations. At this point Conway is better at looking for his own scoring opportunities on drives, but has shown some improvement when equipped with capable shooters from deep to locate them quickly after their man loses them in rotation. [player_tooltip player_id="902023" first="Ausar" last="Crawley"] | 5’8 | Mount St. Joseph Crawley arguably has the highest IQ of any player on this list. He’s a coach on the floor that understands pace, situations and how to control a game from the point guard position. He’s a deadly mid-range threat when operating in ball screen actions but can also pick apart defenses after he sees the scheme they’re using to guard it. If hockey assists were a statistical category, Crawley would lead the way and it’s because his IQ and vision is mature beyond his years. [player_tooltip player_id="902040" first="Trae" last="English"] | 5’10 | Poly English will have ample opportunity to display his playmaking skills this season for Poly as he’s slated to take over as the floor general. The 5-foot-10 guard was a spark plug off the bench last season for the Engineers and brought a massive defensive presence as well as being an effective driver and distributor. What many seem to forget is how well English can score it. Defenses will have their hands full when he gets the ball in space surrounded by a bevy of shot makers. [player_tooltip player_id="902015" first="Ahmad" last="Harrison"] | 6’1 | City Harrison is a crafty playmaker who can operate effectively in isolation situations or in ball screens. The 6-foot-1 southpaw brings toughness on his drives to the rim with full intent of finishing through contact, but also has the instincts and timing to find his bigs around the dunker’s spot for easy buckets. [player_tooltip player_id="775332" first="Nick" last="Marshall"] | 6’4 | River Hill Marshall has improved over time as a playmaker off the bounce and while he still has some room to grow, it’s an aspect that should drastically improve once he gets to college and alongside consistent high level players. The 6-foot-4 guard can knock shots down with regularity and finish around the rim, but also knows how to use his scoring threat and make others around him better. [player_tooltip player_id="902060" first="Jeremiah" last="Stanton"] | 5’11 | Gerstell Stanton is an underrated guard locally. The 5-foot-11 guard can play on or off the ball and has plenty of responsibilities for this Gerstell team. He can get it going from three off the catch and keeps good pace and balance on mid-range pull ups off the dribble. He also knows what play to make on penetration even if it means making the simple one. You don’t see Stanton try for home run passes often or play outside of his limits, and that’s always a plus when college coaches are in attendance. [player_tooltip player_id="954213" first="D’Angelo" last="Stines"] | 6’2 | Mount St. Joseph We got a hint of Stines’ playmaking ability last season in the playoffs when he really caught fire and gained tremendous confidence. A threat from all three levels as a scorer, Stines operates off the bounce with high IQ and feel for how to get his teammates open. I’d expect for Stines to be even more involved as a lead guard this season for the Gaels after his growth as a junior. [player_tooltip player_id="775363" first="Darrius" last="Tilghman"] | 6’4 | Parkville Tilghman showed signs of his playmaking skills we first saw as a freshman at Calvert Hall. The 6-foot-4 southpaw presents good size and quickness that he uses to get to the rim and finish. He has underrated vision as a passer and makes it a habit of getting teammates open looks in the corners following penetration. Consistency is the biggest thing with Tilghman and will be something I watch for closely in 2020-21.