Updated 2021 Player Rankings: Baltimore Prospects In The Top 50

Earlier in the week, we updated our 2021 player rankings and there was plenty of movement throughout. As usual, I’ll be taking a look at the Baltimore prospects in a closer manner. For this particular article, we’ll take a glace at which prospects from the Charm City landed in the top 50. [player_tooltip player_id="712747" first="Julian" last="Reese"] | 6’9 | St. Frances/Team Takeover Ranking: 4 Reese transferred to St. Frances last fall and was a contributor to earning a national ranking in large part because of his presence as a shot-blocker in the paint. The southpaw benefited from playing with an elite passing point guard in Ace Baldwin (VCU), but will be expected to take on an increased role as a scorer this season. The future Maryland Terp has a crucial year of development ahead of him. [player_tooltip player_id="902001" first="Ryan" last="Conway"] | 6’2 | Dulaney Ranking: 5 Conway made his pledge to head coach Kevin Willard and Seton Hall in early May. The Pirates were the first high-major program to pursue the 6-foot-2 dynamic scoring guard and it paid off. Conway put up crooked numbers as a junior for Dulaney and is expected to do the same as senior before he takes the floor in the Big East. [player_tooltip player_id="954213" first="D’Angelo" last="Stines"] | 6’2 | Mount St. Joseph/Mid-Atlantic Select Ranking: 14 Stines gained major momentum with his play in the second half of the regular season and built an even bigger reputation for himself with his production in the postseason. A 6-foot-2 combo guard, Stines can play on or off the ball and have an impact on both ends. He’s a three-level scorer that defends either guard position and should develop into a successful college prospect at Old Dominion. [player_tooltip player_id="775326" first="Jared" last="Billups"] | 6’5 | McDonogh/Team Thrill Ranking: 17 Billups is off the board after committing to Siena. At 6-foot-5, Billups is the definition of versatility defensively who at this point can guard position 1-3 at the college level. As he continues to add weight and strength, it’s not crazy to think he will be guarding more athletic fours at some point in his college career. Billups is a plus athlete who can contribute in a handful of statistical categories. He’ll spearhead an intriguing McDonogh team in 2020-21. [player_tooltip player_id="902015" first="Ahmad" last="Harrison"] | 6’1 | National Christian/Team Thrill Ranking: 19 Harrison exploded up the ranks after an impressive spring and summer facilitating a talented Team Thrill squad to an undefeated record and a marquee win over Team Takeover as a finale. He’s a 6-foot-1 lefty who plays with effective and controlled pace both as a scorer and distributor. Harrison had always been known for his tenacity as a defender and ability to hold his own against much bigger match ups. He’ll suit up for new head coach Kenny Johnson as a senior for National Christian as he’ll look to turn interest into offers from various Division I programs. [player_tooltip player_id="1049493" first="Jamai" last="Felt"] | 6’8 | Randallstown/Team Choo Ranking: 22 Going from unranked to no. 22 is a huge statement, but it’s an accurate one for Felt with his production this summer for Team Choo. He still has much to prove but what is known with the 6-foot-8 lefty is that he has nice length, explosive athleticism and oozes of potential as an offensive threat. He has good hands and is a lob threat whenever he’s in the vicinity of the rim. Felt holds three Division II offers from Bowie State, Chestnut Hill and Miles. A number of Division I programs are starting to track his progress. [player_tooltip player_id="902018" first="Byron" last="Ireland Jr."] | 6’2 | St. Frances/DMV Stags Ranking: 23 Ireland asserted himself in a valuable role for St. Frances in his first year in the program as a transfer. He has a strong frame at 6-foot-2 and continues to improve his athleticism and quickness. He exceeded my expectations last season as a catch-and-shoot three-point threat. Ireland is at his best in the open floor or in the half court when he’s getting downhill and attacking the rim. He can finish through contact with regularity and on the defensive end, does an effective job of guarding either backcourt position. [player_tooltip player_id="712769" first="Jalen" last="Bryant"] | 5’11 | John Carroll Ranking: 29 We didn’t see Bryant suit up for any AAU teams this spring and summer, but he was in attendance many of times at the East Coast Bump Summer Runs. The 5-foot-11 guard continues to wreak havoc from beyond the arc with range. He has soft touch on his floaters in the paint and can finish with craft to avoid opposing bigs. Bryant was the heartbeat of a John Carroll team that experienced a drastic turnaround last season and going forward, he’ll be leaned on heavily not only for his production, but also for his leadership. [player_tooltip player_id="836491" first="Khyrie" last="Staten"] | 6’2 | St. Frances Ranking: 33 Staten suffered an injury early in the spring that kept him sidelined for the majority of summer. Recently cleared to return to action, it’ll be interesting to see if Staten can build off of a breakout junior season for St. Frances. He emerged as one of the most consistent scoring option on a team that was ranked in the top-10 nationally. Staten isn’t going to ’wow’ you with elite athleticism or quickness, but he plays the game with high basketball IQ and will compete harder than anyone on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="902023" first="Ausar" last="Crawley"] | 5’8 | Mount St. Joseph Ranking: 35 Crawley is known for his skills on the football field but also has filled a vital role for a Mount St. Joseph team that program who is consistently hoisting championship titles. The best way to describe Crawley is a winner. He does all of the little things that lifts others around him to a higher level while holding up his end of the bargain as a scorer. Time and time again last season he hit big jumpers in the postseason and was crucial in the Gaels upsetting St. Frances in the MIAA A Conference championship. From my knowledge Crawley is still searching for basketball opportunities at the college level, but he has his share of Division I programs pursuing him in football. [player_tooltip player_id="902019" first="Cam" last="Smith"] | 6’7 | Loyola/New World Ranking: 41 Smith catches your eye almost immediately because of his size, frame and athleticism. While his overall game still needs polishing before becoming a legitimate Division I prospect, the potential is certainly evident. He brings the biggest advantage in the open floor where he can be a lob threat from the wing while in the half court, Smith can mix it up and hit an occasional three to keep the defense guessing. Defensively he guards wings or forwards competently and can make a difference on the glass. While he brings energy offensively in the open floor, he’s also a threat in transition defensively at a shot-blocker. [player_tooltip player_id="902030" first="Barry" last="Evans"] | 6’7 | Poly/DMV Stags Ranking: 43 Evans will be a new face to the Baltimore area as he transfers to Poly from Oakland Mills in Howard County. He’s a 6-foot-7 lefty with plus length and is a capable scorer from three and around the rim. If we’re able to have a high school season, playing in Baltimore City will force Evans to get comfortable playing in a physical style, which should ultimately prepare him more for the next level. He also has potential to become a valuable piece defensively with his blend of athleticism and versatility. [player_tooltip player_id="902017" first="Clarence" last="Obiajulu"] | 6’7 | National Christian/Team Thrill Ranking: 48 Obiajulu made his transfer to National Christian official yesterday where he should have an opportunity to boost his recruitment. The 6-foot-7 forward is one of the diamonds in the rough who put together a solid summer holding down the paint for Team Thrill. Still a bit undersized for a center, Obiajulu continues to develop as more of a threat from 15-to-17 feet. A given with him is his effort and relentless pursuit on the glass. Obiajulu is the type of player who can play on any team and make winning plays. Taking charges, diving for 50/50’s and finishing efficiently around the rim are ares he’s proven himself in time and time again.