DMV Young Core Rankings (Part 4)

<p>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 #15-11.</p> <p><strong>#15 | Bullis (MD)</strong></p> <p><em>Wilson</em>: With the departure of [player_tooltip player_id="904621" first="Rodney" last="Rice"] to DeMatha, Bullis is going to have to rely on a good amount of young pieces. [player_tooltip player_id="904639" first="Gideon" last="Sahlen"] is an underrated skill post player that can impact on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="957024" first="Zane" last="Adnan"] is one of the more promising 2023 guards and got a good amount of playing time during his freshman year so he will bring a good spark for Bullis. New to Bullis this year is 6’6 forward [player_tooltip player_id="837939" first="Adam" last="Angwafo"] who will provide a good physical presence in the frontcourt. </p> <p><strong>#14 | Mount Saint Joseph (MD)</strong></p> <p><em>Giacubeno</em>: Mount St. Joe holds the crown in Baltimore for developing young talent into productive college-ready prospects. It’ll be fun to watch another young, budding group over the next couple of years. 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="957054" first="Ace" last="Valentine"] should carry on the long lineage of high-level point guard play. At 6-foot-1 Valentine is a natural scorer from all three levels, has underrated court vision, and high basketball IQ as well. 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="957059" first="Austin" last="Abrams"] will be the floor spacer with an accurate clip from long range. He’s a smooth scorer and should get plenty of shots in Coach Pat Clatchey’s half-court sets. 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="955498" first="Noah" last="Jones"] is one to watch as well. The 6-foot-7 forward presents good size and length for a stretch four who can score from inside and out. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="957110" first="Julien" last="Moutome"] is built like a grown man as a rising sophomore. He’s a 6-foot-4 junkyard dog who does all of the little things needed to win games.</p> <p><strong>#13 | Calvert Hall (MD)</strong></p> <p><em>Giacubeno</em>: Calvert Hall has one of the most intriguing young groups in the DMV. 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="957020" first="Mike" last="Williams"] headlines with his explosive athleticism and ability to fill it up as a scorer. He attacks the rim with reckless intent and once his jump shot improves slightly, he’ll be a huge challenge to defend. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="957039" first="Samartine" last="Bogues"] presents a lot of the characteristics his grandfather and former NBA star, Mugsy Bogues, was known for. Standing just 5-foot-6, Bogues is a relentless defender and offensively gets into the paint to create for others. 2023 wing [player_tooltip player_id="957105" first="Karim" last="Harris"] showed potential in areas to be an interesting long term prospect. 2023 Isaiah Williams is the younger brother of Mike and also has impressive athleticism for an incoming freshman. </p> <p><strong>#12 | St. Andrew’s (MD)</strong></p> <p><em>Wilson</em>: [player_tooltip player_id="904658" first="Masai" last="Troutman"], [player_tooltip player_id="725167" first="Mason" last="Jones"], [player_tooltip player_id="957036" first="Marcel" last="Gardner"], [player_tooltip player_id="957053" first="Connor" last="Robertson"], [player_tooltip player_id="999642" first="Justin" last="Boggs"]. If St. Andrew’s wants to defend their MAC title from last year, they are going to look to a lot of youth for help. The first prospect that comes to mind is 6’8 [player_tooltip player_id="957036" first="Marcel" last="Gardner"] from the 2023 class and has a ton of upside. Another prospect that comes to mind is a transfer in [player_tooltip player_id="904658" first="Masai" last="Troutman"] who just recently received an offer from Florida. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="725167" first="Mason" last="Jones"] is also another transfer that Kevin Jones was able to land. 6’0 guard [player_tooltip player_id="957053" first="Connor" last="Robertson"] is also a nice looking prospect from the 2023 class and plays his AAU ball with Team Durant.</p> <p><strong>#11 | Good Counsel (MD)</strong></p> <p><em>Wilson</em>: Good Counsel had one of their best years in a long time last year in the WCAC and will look to continue that momentum his upcoming year. [player_tooltip player_id="904640" first="Dylan" last="Williamson"] is an experienced guard that has played in meaningful minutes and always plays super hard. From the 2023 class, they feature three players that are currently ranked in our local 2023 class, [player_tooltip player_id="957037" first="Antonio" last="Avery"], [player_tooltip player_id="957040" first="Corey" last="Chesley"], and [player_tooltip player_id="957045" first="Rieco" last="Hellams"]. The future is bright for the Falcons. </p>