Re-Ranking the 2018 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 continue this series by taking a closer look at #20-16 from the new 2018 update.
#20 | Sherwyn Devonish Prince Jr., 6’1″ PG | Wise | Original Rank: #53 | College: Morgan State
After completing a standout senior year at Wise resulting in an All-State First Team nod in 2018, Devonish-Prince committed to Morgan State and has been a key member of the program since the first day he stepped foot on campus. As a freshman, he started every game and led the MEAC in free throw shooting at 87%. Devonish-Prince followed up an All-MEAC Rookie year with another solid campaign as a sophomore. He led the team in minutes played and averaged 10 points, 3.5 boards, and 2.2 dimes per game. Expect his production to increase once again in year three.
#19 | Matt Balanc, 6’3″ W | Springbrook | Original Rank: #24 | College: Quinnipiac
Balanc took a redshirt year for the 2018-2019 season. He stepped in this past season and appeared in all 30 games for the Bobcats, making six starts. The Springbrook product averaged 7.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 40.8 percent from the field. Balanc’s stock exploded during the summer going into his senior season. His elite athleticism and ability to score from all three levels are all aspects that we should see more of as he progresses through his college career.
MATT BALANC IS A BAD MAN 🦍 pic.twitter.com/rEAtqcxkBn
— Quinnipiac Spirit Group (@QuSpirit) January 25, 2020
#18 | Brendan Medley-Bacon, 7’1″ C | Archbishop Curley | Original Rank: #117 | College: VCU
Medley-Bacon enjoyed a productive season for Coppin State this past season by posting averages of 7.5 points and 8.9 rebounds while blocking a total of 66 shots in 31 games. He was named Third Team All-MEAC and won the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week four times. Medley-Bacon then announced that he would transfer from Coppin State and shortly after announced that VCU will be his new home. It’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts to high-level A10 basketball.
Congrats to @coppinmbb Brendan Medley-Bacon on being named the @MEACSports Co-Player and Defensive Player of the Week!#CoppinNation pic.twitter.com/OqWVq3AnuP
— Coppin Sports (@coppinsports) January 21, 2020
#17 | Daniel Oladapo, 6’7″ F | Bladensburg | Original Rank: #31 | College: Oakland
Oladapo spent his freshman year at Chipola CC where he was a force averaging 14.5 points and eight rebounds per game. He was named First Team All-Panhandle and was easily one of the best players in an extremely talented conference that’s known for producing high-level talent. During his sophomore season at Oakland, Oladapo averaged 8.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 24.5 minutes per game. The Bladensburg product has the size and length to be a valuable college player. I expect him to continue to improve throughout his next two seasons.
#16 | Wayne Bristol Jr., 6’6″ W | Riverdale Baptist | Original Rank: #77 | College: Howard
After graduating from Riverdale Baptist, Bristol opted for a prep year at St. Thomas Moore and in retrospect, it was an excellent decision. He arrived at Howard last season ready to play and the results were impressive. Bristol earned MEAC Rookie of the Year honors after starting 28 games, finishing second on the team in scoring at 12.6 points per game and ranking among the league leaders in three-point shooting and free throw percentage. He should once again be a huge part of Coach Kenny Blakeney’s setup next season.
Wayne Bristol Jr., St. Thomas More alum, captured the MEAC “Rookie of the Year” award. Keep going, Wayne! #GoChancellors pic.twitter.com/f6ofcnoxDd
— St. Thomas More Basketball (@StThomasMoreBB) March 7, 2020