Re-Ranking the 2017 Class (Part 3)
We’ve been thrown a curveball this summer. Due to social distancing guidelines, opportunities to comprehensively evaluate prospects in and around the DMV area have been few and far between. As a result, we will not be providing a mid-summer rankings update as we typically do.
But to be creative and keep content flowing consistently, the team is excited to take a look back at the 2017 and 2018 rankings. Our aim is to re-rank notable prospects in those respective classes based on their performances since high school and ultimately come up with a new top-30 for each.
Here we resume this series by taking a closer look at #16-20 from the new 2017 update.
#20 | Zion Cousins, 6’8″ C | Douglass-PG | Original Rank: #44 | College: Howard
Ayalew: Cousins has the makings of a future MEAC Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-8 Douglass standout has served admirably as the Bison’s defensive anchor for the last three seasons. Cousins is a double-double threat each time he hits the court but also racks up defensive stats such as blocks, steals, and deflections because he is so active.
We celebrate FDHS Alumnus Zion Cousins, who is both on Howard University's Dean List and was named the MEAC MBB Co-Defense Player of the week. Zion is crushing it at the next level and we are here for all of it! @Hoopsdoug #scholarathlete #Eagleforlife pic.twitter.com/HXnuqoL2SL
— FDHS PTSO (@FDHSPTSO) December 11, 2019
#19 | Jalen Gibbs, 6’3″ SG | North Point | Original Rank: #33 | College: Mount St. Mary’s
Ayalew: Gibbs, the SMAC Player of the Year and an All-Met First Teamer at North Point, has found success at Mount St. Mary’s. The 6-foot-3 guard started all 30 games last season while averaging double-figure scoring numbers. Gibbs should be considered one of the top returners in the NEC next season and his production will reflect that.
🏅Official #NECMBB Player of the Week🏅
👉 Jalen Gibbs, @MountAthletics
🗒️ Gibbs erupted for a season-high 27 points in the Mount’s 79-55 win over Coppin State last Friday to close out non-league play. He matched a career-high with 6 3P, and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists. pic.twitter.com/P7rXHkEBKZ
— Northeast Conference (@NECsports) December 30, 2019
#18 | Damian Chong-Qui, 5’8″ PG | McDonogh | Original Rank: #57 | College: Mount St. Mary’s
Giacubeno: Chong-Qui was under-recruited coming out of high school largely because of his height. Fast forward to this past season and now Chong-Qui is a primary option. The 5-foot-8 floor general averaged 12.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He’s a player that many local low-to-mid major programs are kicking themselves for not recruiting out of high school.
The 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣ ⛹️♂️ MOST IMPROVED PLAYER is…@MountAthletics' Damian Chong Qui❗️
The second-year Mountaineer improved across-the-board from his freshman season, lifting his scoring average from 6.8 to 12.0, rebounding from 2.8 to 3.9 & assists from 3.7 to 3.8.#NECelite #NECMBB pic.twitter.com/cOxzQL21Mb
— Northeast Conference (@NECsports) March 3, 2020
#17 | Jalen Gabbidon, 6’5″ SF | Glenelg Country | Original Rank: #12 | College: Yale
Ayalew: Gabbidon, a former standout with the York Ballers and at Glenelg Country School, is blossoming in the IVY League. Last season, he was a team captain who started all 30 games and earned the league’s defensive player of the year award. Gabbidon should continue to thrive in a key role with the Bulldogs moving forward.
Our Defensive Stopper.
Jalen Gabbidon is the @IvyLeague Defensive Player of the Year!
Congratulations Jalen! #ThisIsYale pic.twitter.com/iNYzBr8lcb
— Yale Men's Basketball (@YaleMBasketball) March 11, 2020
#16 | Keve Aluma, 6’8″ C | Decatur | Original Rank: #19 | College: Virginia Tech
Ayalew: After a superb high school career at Decatur, Aluma became an important front-court presence fat Wofford, where he became a regular starter on a team that made it to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament during his sophomore campaign. The active big man, who is known for his ability to rebound at a high-level, sat out last season after transferring to Virginia Tech along with his head coach Mike Young. Aluma will most certainly be a welcomed addition to the Hokies front-court and should be a name to keep an eye on in the ACC.