DMV Young Core Rankings (Part 5)

<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 #10-6.</p> <p><strong>#10 | Paul VI (VA)</strong></p> <p><em>Wilson</em>: It is crazy to think Dug McDaniel is only a junior as he already as a ton of playing experience in the WCAC. McDaniel will take a bigger role this year as [player_tooltip player_id="543740" first="Jeremy" last="Roach"] has now graduated. McDaniel remains one of the most exciting players to watch in the area. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="999616" first="DeShawn" last="Harris-Smith"] will also have a much-expanded role this year. Harris-Smith has a strong body and frame and has the chance to be a very good two-way player in the WCAC. From the 2024 class, the name to know is Darren Harris who has established himself as a very good shooter.</p> <p><strong>#9 | McDonogh (MD)</strong></p> <p><em>Giacubeno</em>: In my opinion, McDonogh has a top-5 young core considering the talent and positions they can cover. 2022 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="837923" first="Everett" last="Cooper"] took on the role as a primary scorer before getting injured a little less than halfway through the season. An Alabama baseball commit, Cooper can score it from all three levels and post big numbers when he gets going. 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="904633" first="Preston" last="Howard"] provides versatility at 6-foot-6 with his athleticism and competitive edge. 2022 center [player_tooltip player_id="904635" first="Dani" last="Dennis-Sutton"] will likely be playing on your TV screen in the NFL someday, but while on the hardwood he’s an enforcer in the paint at both ends. 2023 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="957023" first="Mathani" last="Paul-Swinson"] was thrown into the fire as a freshman last season and progressed steadily while he learned how to facilitate a team while picking his spots to be aggressive. 2023 guard Carl Carrington is the off-ball backcourt mate who can spread the floor with his three-point shot. Carrington isn’t shy to pull the trigger and when he’s hitting it can cause major problems for the opposition. 2024 forward Gabe Grant may have the most potential in this group of incoming freshmen in the Baltimore area. With great size at 6-foot-9, Grant is a shot-blocking presence defensively and plays with a good motor. He’s a violent finisher around the rim and will provide even more length to the McDonogh lineup.</p> <p><strong>#8 | Bishop O’Connell (VA)</strong></p> <p><em>Wilson</em>: Bishop O’Connell has a very good young core that should help them get back to near the top of the standings in the WCAC. It starts with 2022 PG [player_tooltip player_id="897404" first="Paul" last="Lewis"] who is coming off a breakout sophomore season. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="815582" first="David" last="Onanina"] is one of the more physical players in the area and takes up a huge presence in the paint. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="999624" first="Mason" last="So"] continued to get better as the season went on last year as he is a skilled guard that can shoot it from all areas on the floor. Also in the 2023 class is 6’7 [player_tooltip player_id="999622" first="Ty" last="Mason"] who has a ton of upside. Mason stretches the floor well where he can shoot it from deep and plays good defense in the paint. Mason has the chance to be a very good prospect down the road for O’Connell. O’Connell also got two very nice additions off the transfer market in 2022 6’2 [player_tooltip player_id="815607" first="Cavan" last="Reilly"] and 2022 6’4 [player_tooltip player_id="962786" first="Christian" last="May"]. </p> <p><strong>#7 | Sidwell Friends (DC)</strong></p> <p><em>Wilson</em>: [player_tooltip player_id="777068" first="George" last="Perkins"] and [player_tooltip player_id="837925" first="Chris" last="Gamble"] are the two guys that come to mind from the 2022 class. Perkins currently stands at 6’8 and should start to gain a lot of attention from college programs with the upside and versatility he has. [player_tooltip player_id="837925" first="Chris" last="Gamble"] is a 6’1 lead guard that is a hard-playing defender and can contribute in a variety of ways on offense. [player_tooltip player_id="957022" first="Cam" last="Gillus"] is a top-five player in the MD/DC 2023 class and should be a very good lead guard for Eric Singletary. Another notable 2023 prospect that Singletary will go to is 6’6 [player_tooltip player_id="957035" first="Chris" last="Russell"] who oozes with production whenever he is on the court.</p> <p><strong>#6 | John Carroll (MD)</strong></p> <p><em>Giacubeno</em>: The Patriots have no shortage of talent in their future. 2022 guard [player_tooltip player_id="837919" first="Tyson" last="Commander"] headlines the core building the reputation as one of the top snipers in the DMV. 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="777067" first="Cesar" last="Tchilombo"] took strides last season as a rim protector and continues to develop a game on the block with his back to the basket. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="904680" first="TJ" last="Vaughn"] is the one that sets the table from the point guard position. His ability to facilitate and make an impact guarding the ball defensively is what makes him valuable. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="957030" first="Jeannot" last="Basima"] showed stints throughout his freshman campaign of being an effective slasher. He recently won MVP of the Hoop Group Future All-American All-Star game, indicating he’s still improving against top-notch competition.</p>