DMV Young Core Rankings: Part 1

Adam Ayalew

August 12, 2020 @ 05:00 AM

We aren’t exactly sure when the 2020-2021 season will begin, but basketball never stops at Prep Hoops. As we prepare for another season, the staff will be hitting you with several preseason nuggets. This series aims to highlight 30 of the best young cores from within and around the DMV. A “young core” consists of players with at least two full years of high school basketball remaining. This includes prospects from the class of 2022 and younger. Here is a brief rundown of #30-26.

#30 | Eleanor Roosevelt (MD)

Ayalew: It seems like every year at Eleanor Roosevelt, one or two young players come to the forefront. Last season, 2022 guards Fani Lewis and James Rice James Rice 5'11" | CG Eleanor Roosevelt | 2022 State MD took their opportunity and impressed. These two could be next in the long line of talented players to come out of ER.

#29 | St. Maria Goretti (MD)

Giacubeno: Following Goretti’s impressive 2018-19 season and losing a plethora of seniors who are playing at various college levels, the Gaels’ 2019-20 campaign was certainly a year for development. Going forward they have two solid building blocks in 2022 duo Jordan Green Jordan Green 6'5" | C St. Maria Goretti | 2022 State MD and Jordan Abessolo. Green is more of the long, prototypical wing at 6-foot-7 with athleticism and versatility defensively. While his overall offensive skill set is still in progress, there’s no denying his ability to play above the rim. Abessolo is more of a junkyard dog. The 6-foot-5 wing/forward can play and defend multiple positions. You won’t see him knock shots down from the perimeter but he’ll attack the rim off the bounce and feast on the offensive glass. He’s a valuable asset defensively with his ability to guard multiple positions effectively and do the little things such as take charges or dive on the floor.

#28 | St. Mary’s Ryken (MD)

Ayalew: The 2022 class in particular at Ryken should be zeroed-in on. It starts with experienced lead guard Chase Williams Chase Williams 5'10" | PG St. Mary's Ryken | 2022 State MD , who has the moxie and intangibles to be a very good player in due time. The Knights also have intriguing talent on the wing and in the frontcourt. Nic Deve Nic Deve 6'4" | SF St. Mary's Ryken | 2022 State MD , Wisdom Rogers Wisdom Rogers 6'7" | C St. Charles | 2022 State MD , and Leonardtown transfer Malachi Briscoe Malachi Briscoe 6'6" | PF St. Mary's Ryken | 2022 State MD are all expected to play big minutes and contribute.

#27 | Fairmont Heights (MD)

Ayalew: Don’t sleep on Coach Chuck Henry’s bunch at Fairmont Heights. They have a nice class of 2022 lead guard in Delonte Raynor Delonte Raynor 6'2" | CG Fairmont Heights | 2022 State MD . Raynor is explosive, plays at a good pace, and makes plays on both ends of the court. In 2022 Derrick Key Derrick Key 6'5" | PF Fairmont Heights | 2022 MD and 2023 Tieron Vick Tieron Vick 6'5" | PF Fairmont Heights | 2023 State MD , the Hornets boast a formidable duo in the frontcourt. Both Vick and Key have immense defensive potential and are good athletes who will command attention.

#26 | Lake Braddock (VA)

Ayalew: Lake Braddock features one of the most intriguing young cores of any public school within the DMV. The marquee names are class of 2022 big man David Solomon III David Solomon III 6'6" | C VA Academy | 2023 State VA and 2023 wing Jamie Kaiser of Team Durant, but the Bruins also have a talented backcourt duo of 2022 Trey Siegle and Quincy Via. Expect these four, who all have extensive varsity experience, to make noise in the Northern Virginia area for years to come.