Re-Ranking the 2018 Class (Part 1)
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 continue this series by taking a closer look at #26-30 from the new 2018 update.
#30 | Deven Richmond, 6’4″ W | DeMatha | Original Rank: #97 | College: Howard
Wilson: Deven recently just signed with the Howard Bison of the MEAC after averaging 12.2 points per game this past season at Howard Community College. Against some of the top junior colleges in the area, Richmond made an impact in almost every game with meaningful minutes all year long. If Richmond can carry over what he did this past season to the MEAC program, that would turn out to be a very nice local addition for Kenneth Blakeney’s bunch.
#29 | Savion Gallion, 6’4″ W | Thurgood Marshall | Original Rank: #79 | College: Buffalo
Ayalew: One of the best scorers to come out of the DMV in recent memory, Gallion took a prep year at Mount Zion before his freshman year at Buffalo. When given ample opportunity, he has produced. Gallion averaged 22 points per game in his senior year at TMA and 13 at Mount Zion. But he’s not just a scorer. Gallion is good for 5 or 6 boards a game, will sprinkle in a few dimes as well, and compete on defense. Expect a breakout soon.
Savion Gallion (@ayoosaayy) Had a great first year at @UBmenshoops !! Excited to see you keep growing, bro !! #keepthatsameenergy #beforepro #idonotowntherightstothismusic pic.twitter.com/9LXefZzcF4
— BeforePro Media (@beforepromedia) April 8, 2020
#28 | Tyree Myers, 6’1″ PG | Mount St. Joseph | Original Rank: #72 | College: Augusta
Giacubeno: It comes to no surprise that Myers wasted no time in taking over as the starting floor general for a very good Division II program in Augusta. Mount St. Joseph has a proven track record of producing players who are prepared to play and produce at the next level from the jump. Myers is a heady point guard who understands how to run a team. In 28 games this past season, the 6-foot-1 guard averaged 8.8 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. Where he impressed most was his efficiency boasting a shooting split of 45.7/41.3/80.0 and leading his team to a 21-8 overall record. As a freshman, Myers helped lead the Jaguars to a conference title and reached the Sweet 16.
Augusta’s team leader and coach-on-the-floor point guard Tyree Myers dished 11 assists while committing only 1 turnover in today’s 96-89 win over Young Harris.
Augusta (19-7, 14-4) has won 8 straight games heading into Wednesday’s home game against rival USC Aiken (17-11, 13-5). pic.twitter.com/UmTiHCokfH
— Augusta Press Sports (@AugPressSports) February 23, 2020
#27 | LaQuill Hardnett, 6’8″ F | Perry Hall | Original Rank: #20 | College: Buffalo
Giacubeno: Hardnett took a redshirt year at Cincinnati before transferring and playing for Buffalo this past season. He appeared in 30 games and started five games. At 6-foot-8, Hardnett provides versatility as a stretch four, but still is figuring out how to play the game at a high level. He had one of the more impressive high school careers since I started covering the scene and it was evident that he has no lack of talent. As he settles in with a solid Buffalo program, we should start to see some progression as his confidence trends in an upward direction.
Laquill Hardnett never really had a chance due to lack of playing time and not getting to put up big counting stats, but among MAC freshmen that got 10 MPG:
Reb % – #1
Blk % – #2
Off. Rating – #1
BPM – #2
TS% – #1
eFG% – #1He needs to get more playing time next season https://t.co/ySXeTZnfrg
— Bullhala (@BLoBullParade) March 11, 2020
#26 | Dima Zdor, 6’10” C | Saint James | Original Rank: #19 | College: Grand Canyon
Ayalew: Zdor was a standout at Saint James where he was a walking double-double, a fearless finisher, and a prideful rim protector. He is coming off a sneaky-good sophomore season at Weber State. Zdor was third on his team in rebounding, second in field goal percentage, and finished sixth in the Big Sky Conference with 1.1 blocks per game. He has since transferred to Grand Canyon, and It will be interesting to see what’s in store for him moving forward.