Maryland/DC Prospects in the 2021 National Rankings

Yesterday Prep Hoops released their national player rankings for the class of 2021. The 250 players are compiled and ordered through the feedback of a number of scouts. No rankings list is perfect and when you involve more people, it can get even more confusing. With that all being the case, there were 10 prospects from the Maryland and D.C. area who made the list and rightfully so. Let’s take a look at those players. [player_tooltip player_id="531243" first="Benny" last="Williams"] | 6’8 | St. Andrew’s Episcopal Ranking: No. 35 Williams is a long, athletic 6-foot-8 wing/forward that fits the blueprint of a Syracuse player, the school that Williams committed to, in perfect fashion. He still has some development ahead in his overall offensive game, but his length makes him an above the rim threat every time he’s in the paint. He makes things happen as a shot blocker defensively and can control a game with his defensive rebounding. [player_tooltip player_id="902004" first="Jordan" last="Hawkins"] | 6’6 | DeMatha Ranking: No. 44 Hawkins appears in the top 50 for good reason.<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Hawkins-Jordan-Head-Shot-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1010271 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Hawkins-Jordan-Head-Shot-1-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> The 6-foot-6 guard has hit his stride this spring as we’ve had the chance to see him in action alongside his teammates on Team Durant. Hawkins’ elite outside shooting paired with his efficient overall approach to the game as a scorer and decision maker displayed his maturity beyond his years. In my opinion, he has the highest ceiling of any prospect in this class when it comes to the DMV area. His development has been on a rapid increase since transferring to DeMatha last fall and I don’t see it stopping anytime soon. He holds 16 offers in total with teams from the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East and SEC all involved. Don’t be surprised if blue blood programs start coming around the Hawkins if he decides to wait until next spring for a college decision. [player_tooltip player_id="531233" first="Jakai" last="Robinson"] | 6’4 | National Christian Academy Ranking: No. 60 Robinson is a 6-foot-4 southpaw guard who is a threat to score from all three levels. His quick release off the catch allows him to get his shot over taller defenders and one he sees one go in, there’s no telling how many more he can rattle off. While he doesn’t posses overwhelming athleticism, Robinson knows how to attack off the bounce, get to the rim and use his strength to finish through contact. Connecticut, East Carolina, Florida, Georgetown, Oklahoma State, Seton Hall, St. John’s and Virginia Tech have all offered. [player_tooltip player_id="902001" first="Ryan" last="Conway"] | 6’1 | Dulaney Ranking: No. 76 Conway is one of the purest scorers you’ll find on the East Coast in this class. Headed to Seton Hall in the fall of 2021, Conway proved himself to many that he can score against the best competition on the EYBL Circuit last spring/summer. He possesses advance range on his three-ball, ability to create space for mid-range shots and soft touch with his finishes around the rim. Becoming more of a passing point guard and holding his own defensively will be the two biggest hurdles Conway faces as a freshman in the Big East. [player_tooltip player_id="902002" first="Quincy" last="Allen"] | 6’7 | Maret Ranking: No. 87 Allen has good size and length at 6-foot-7 to be a valuable prospect for programs who need shot-making wing. He has good feel and instincts as a scorer. While he can knock shots down off the catch with efficiency, he also doesn’t over dribble in situations where he has to put the ball on the floor. He possesses good timing as a shot-blocker where his length comes into play and has a tendency of blocking shots in a way where he keeps the ball in play. Allen is a high commodity to many programs, as 19 schools have extended offers. Varying from the ACC, Big 10, Big East and SEC, there’s little doubt that we will be seeing Allen playing on the big stage when he suits up for his freshman season. [player_tooltip player_id="775314" first="Erik" last="Reynolds"] | 6’2 | Bullis Ranking: No. 89 Reynolds is a 6-foot-2 combo guard who has the unique ability to control a game at both ends from the guard position. His balanced approach as a scorer and playmaker forces the defense to account for him every second he’s on the floor. His instincts and competitiveness come to light defensively where he can make things happen whether he’s on or off the ball. Reynolds had an established recruitment prior to his junior season, but high major programs took note of his productivity and have welcomed themselves at the table. Schools such as Georgetown, Seton Hall and Xavier have all extended offers this summer. Reynolds holds 16 offers in total. [player_tooltip player_id="712742" first="Bez" last="Mbeng"] | 6’3 | Good Counsel Ranking: No. 122 Mbeng’s ranking may be a little high for my liking, but there’s no doubt that he turned some heads with a strong junior season. The 6-foot-3 guard has explosive athleticism that allows him to make impressive plays above the rim. His jumper is still a work in progress, but did show improvements in that aspect as well. He can defend either guard position and is a plus rebounder and shot blocker at his height. Bryant, James Madison, La Salle, Robert Morris, St. Francis (PA) and Towson have all offered. [player_tooltip player_id="712747" first="Julian" last="Reese"] | 6’9 | St. Frances Ranking: No. 129 Reese will head to Maryland and join his sister, Angel, who is considered one of the top high school prospects in the 2020 class. The 6-foot-9 lefty had stints this season of being an elite shot blocking presence in the paint. He rebounded at a steady rate and finished around the rim efficiently. As he prepares for the Big 10, Reese’s motor and aggression will still need to improve. His make-up and combination of size and length have the makings to be a real threat in the long term. [player_tooltip player_id="531258" first="Jalen" last="Miller"] | 6’2 | Bishop Walsh Ranking: 202 Miller is a 6-foot-2 lead guard who can act as a floor facilitator or a guard that needs to be more aggressive as a scorer. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/08/Jalen-Miller.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-612582 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/08/Jalen-Miller-300x225.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id="531258" first="Jalen" last="Miller"]" width="300" height="225" /></a>He’s a viable threat from all three levels and has high basketball IQ with the ball in his hands. Miller has a lot of pride in his on-ball defense and forces the opposing ball handler to be uncomfortable throughout the course of a game. Miller’s stock continues to rise and I believe it would’ve even more extreme with live evaluation periods this spring/summer. He holds 11 offers total with Rhode Island and Witchita State being the latest schools to add their names to the list. [player_tooltip player_id="902005" first="Zaakir" last="Williamson"] | 6’7 | Rock Creek Christian Ranking: No. 213 Williamson is a big body at 6-foot-7 who proved this season he can man the paint for a team that depended heavily on his size. He has strength to battle the taller, more physical bigs and the versatility to contain more of the stretchier forwards. Offensively, he’s a bull in the china shop that barges his way to the rim and utilizes soft touch on finishes. He can also step out to mid-range and also beyond the arc for the occasional three to keep his defender guessing. Akron, East Tennessee State, George Mason, Howard, La Salle, Mount St. Mary’s, North Carolina A&T, Towson, UMBC and Youngstown State have all offered.