DMV Roundtable: Recent commits, 2021 stock riser, 2024 prospects

<p>The unprecedented summer of AAU that was came to a wrap this past weekend and we’ll now spend time reflecting on all of the prospects we watched over the last three months. There were a number of prospects who use this time to improve heading into an unknown high school season. As usual, we’ll discuss players from various classes in this week’s version of the DMV Roundtable.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/05/DavidJones-e1588622863151.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-977664" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/05/DavidJones-e1588622863151-289x300.jpg" alt="" width="289" height="300" /></a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>1. Which recent commitment has caught your eye?</strong></span></p> <p><em>Giacubeno:</em> I thought a commit that flew under the radar was 2021 McDonogh guard [player_tooltip player_id="775326" first="Jared" last="Billups"] committing to Siena. Billups brings plenty of versatility at 6-foot-5 and is a two-way player who has the potential for a very productive career in the MAAC. He has a college-ready body with plus athleticism to finish above the rim or block shots on the defensive end. He’s a player that doesn’t need the ball to impact the game, so transitioning as a freshman should be smoother than most.</p> <p><em>Ayalew: </em>I like <b>[player_tooltip player_id="562690" first="Ryan" last="Cornish"]</b> at Dartmouth. I think adjusting to the physicality will be key for him at the D1 level, but he knows that and will be ready to make an impact right away. Cornish is known for his shooting, but he’s a solid ball-handler and an underrated defender as well.</p> <p><em>Wilson: </em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rhode Island continues to make great strides in recruiting the DMV and the latest to give their pledge to the Rams is 6’8 center [player_tooltip player_id="712751" first="Abdou" last="Samb"]. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Abdou-Samb.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1028824 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Abdou-Samb-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>Samb has been playing the best basketball of his career the past few months and should continue to get better before he enrolls in college. Rhode Island is getting a very solid post player that always plays hard and will do whatever it takes to win on both ends of the floor.</span></p> <p><em>Herron: </em>I’ll give a few because there’s more than one I want to highlight.</p> <div> </div> <div>While he isn’t technically in the DMV. David "Deivi" Jones of Teay’s Valley (WV) and Boo Williams committing to Depaul is intriguing because not only is he an immediate impact guy in the Big East, it gives them one of the top recruiting classes in the country. While Jones is a top 75 guy in most national rankings, everything I have seen from him says he has the potential to be an All Big East guy and possible pro in the end. At 6’6" with the ability to play on and off the ball, he’s a skilled guy who can get to the rim at will, is supremely athletic and plays with a high motor.</div> <div> </div> <div>[player_tooltip player_id="543848" first="Brayon" last="Freeman"] heading to George Washington has to be exciting in the DC area because it’s one of the top guards deciding to stay home and going to a great fit where he can be highly successful. The future looks extremely bright at GW as in a few years they’re looking at a backcourt of Jameer Nelson Jr., LSU transfer and Baltimore native James Bishop and Freeman which will be as talented as any in the A10. </div> <div> </div> <div>On the low major side, I think that Coppin State did a great job finding a long term gem in Greg Spurlock of Rock Ridge, who has tremendous potential moving forward. At 6’5", Spurlock is a big guard with true floor general tendencies as he can get downhill and create off the bounce for both himself and others, and his size gives him great potential on the defensive end. He was a super under the radar prospect that not many knew about, but my man Adam Ayalew of course did and from what he’s shown me about the kid I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up a steal in the MEAC.</div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>2.Which 2021 prospect boosted his stock the most this summer?</strong></span></div> <div> </div> <div> <p><em>Giacubeno: </em>I’ll go with Jamai Felt for this one. The Randallstown product had pretty much minimal college interest coming into this summer and completely exploded once events started to stream games. He’s nearing 6-foot-9 and has provided videographers plenty of footage with poster dunks. He’s improved operating in face-up situations in the mid-range and has soft touch on floaters or over the shoulder hooks. Defensively he’s a violent shot-blocker and rebounds well out of his area. As it stands, Felt now boasts offers from the likes of SMU and Towson from the Division I variety and Bowie State, Chestnut Hill and Miles from the Division II level</p> <p><em>Ayalew: </em> I have to go with <b>[player_tooltip player_id="775338" first="Elijah" last="Hawkins"]</b> here. He’s evidently used the time during quarantine wisely by bulking up his frame. Hawkins is coming out of his shell by being more vocal and aggressive on the offensive end. We know what he can do on defense, but his overall game has clearly gone up a level.</p> <p><em>Wilson: </em><span style="font-weight: 400;">2021 Wesley Peterson is starting to get the college recognition he deserves as he has picked up a handful of offers in the last couple of months. I saw Peterson a few weeks ago and he definitely has gotten stronger and continues to show how he can be a great two way player at the next level. Peterson’s length allows him to guard multiple positions on defense. Offensively, his shot looked consistent and Peterson has always been a guy that can finish with the best above the rim.</span></p> <p><em>Herron: </em>I’m going to start with another guy outside of the area just to mention because he’s blown up crazy, and that’s Jonas Aidoo who’s reclassifying at Liberty Heights in NC and had a huge summer where he solidified himself as a high major and high potential big moving forward. He picked up offers from every power 6 conference and played a tough schedule against some big time opponents with Team Curry, and with his mix of size, touch and athleticism, he’s a guy I expect to be able to pick his school moving forward.</p> <div> </div> <div>I thought [player_tooltip player_id="902007" first="Jao" last="Ituka"] was phenomenal in the I95 Coalition with Team Stat and heading to Putnam Science in CT will give him a chance to show his potential and playmaking ability against top competition.  His mix of athleticism, strength and skill set at the point guard position should make him enticing to low and mid major schools, and while he has an awkward game I think he can flat out go and that usually translates.</div> </div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>3. Any 2024 names that should be on people’s radar?</strong></span></div> <div> </div> <div> <p><em>Giacubeno: </em><strong>Derrick Queen</strong> has wasted no time making noise this summer while splitting time between Team Thrill’s 15U and 16U squads. The 14-year-old already stands 6-foot-8 and has the ball-handling skills you’re used to seeing in guards. He can finish above the rim in transition, showed nice footwork on the block and displayed a capable jumpshot that will improve over time. </p> <p><em>Ayalew: </em>I haven’t had the chance to get out and see much of the 2024 class, but I’ve been hearing good things about <b>Donnie Freeman</b> at St. John’s. He is a tall forward who is expected to play a lot as a freshman. I’d also like to mention <b>Darren Harris </b>of Paul VI. Harris is a big wing who is known for his shooting. </p> <p><em>Wilson: </em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unfortunately I have not been able to see that many 2024 prospects but it sounds like 2024 Donnie Freeman of St. John’s could be one of the highly touted 2024s from the area. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do during his first year with the Cadets.</span></p> <p><em>Herron: </em>I don’t know of any 2024s so I’m just going to stay out of the way with that one</p> </div>