Updated 2023 Player Rankings: Baltimore Prospects

Last week we updated our 2023 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 Charm City who landed in the top 50. [player_tooltip player_id="957019" first="Kwame" last="Evans"] | 6’8 | Poly/Team Durant Ranking: 1 Offers: Auburn, DePaul, Georgetown, George Washington, Howard, Kansas, LSU, Maryland, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, St. John’s, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Xavier Evans takes over at the no. 1 spot following an impressive freshman campaign where he exceeded expectations and helped lift Poly to a national ranking. He’s every bit of 6-foot-8, a smooth shooting lefty and arguably the prospect in the DMV with the highest ceiling. Staying at the top of the mountain will be tough and Evans will have to prove himself with consistent performances in an increased role for the Engineers, but there’s little doubt that a player with his frame and skillset can handle it. [player_tooltip player_id="957025" first="Jahnathan" last="Lamothe"] | 6’4 | St. Frances/Team Durant Ranking: 4 Offers: Austin Peay, Bryant, Coastal Carolina, DePaul, Georgetown, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, VCU<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Jahn-Lamothe-Jamie-Kasier.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1023605 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Jahn-Lamothe-Jamie-Kasier-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> The 2023 class is stout to say the least, while Lamothe made a jump in our rankings it didn’t compare to the amount he truly boosted his stock. When it’s all said an done, I won’t be surprised if Lamothe jumps up to no. 2 or no. 3, but right now he sits firm in his slot and is primed for a productive sophomore campaign at St. Frances. The 6-foot-4 guard drastically improved his body, proved his worth as a playmaker off the bounce and continued to drill long range shots with regularity. [player_tooltip player_id="957020" first="Mike" last="Williams"] | 6’3 | Calvert Hall/Team Thrill Ranking: 6 Offers: Massachusetts I wasn’t able to see Williams in action this spring or summer, but the 6-foot-3 guard showed plenty of reasons to think highly of his potential with his production as a freshman. He’s equipped with explosive athleticism that helps him finish around or above the rim on drives. It’ll be interesting to see how his jumper has progressed since the winter as he establishes himself as the staple of this Calvert Hall team. [player_tooltip player_id="957030" first="Jeannot" last="Basima"] | 6’3 | John Carroll/Global Squad Ranking: 15 Offers: Howard, Siena Basima made some noise this summer at a couple of elite camps with his standout play. The 6-foot-3 guard is at his best as a slasher attacking gaps in the defense and finishing around the basket. He’s capable of making shots from the outside, but still must improve significantly on his consistency. One given with Basima is that he plays extremely hard a is a safe bet as a college prospect going forward. [player_tooltip player_id="957054" first="Ace" last="Valentin"]e | 6’1 | Mount St. Joseph/Team Durant Ranking: 16 Offers:N/A Valentine made a huge impression on us here at Prep Hoops with his play this spring and summer. After doing more homework on the 6-foot-1 guard, we found out how crucial Valentine was to the Gaels’ dominance at the junior varsity level as a freshman. Look for Valentine to get decent minutes in the rotation on varsity and he’ll bring playmaking, shot-making and IQ as a combo guard. [player_tooltip player_id="957023" first="Mathani" last="Paul-Swinson"] | 5’11 | McDonogh/Team Durant Ranking: 19 Offers: N/A Paul-Swinson had the challenge of coming onto a Team Durant 15U roster late and earning limited minutes. This team was largely regarded as one of the better 15U programs in the country, so any position was a dog fight for playing time. Approaching his sophomore season, he’ll look to capitalize off a freshman campaign that included a ton of playing time. The 5-foot-11 guard is a smooth operator who can get into the paint with regularity and finish floater with soft touch. He competes on the defensive end and ultimately should round out to being a very solid floor general that Division I schools track closely. [player_tooltip player_id="957031" first="Jaden" last="Baker"] | 6’4 | Parkville Ranking: 20 Offers: N/A Baker played an undersized four for Parkville last season and was key in their 22-3 season that had them in the final four before COVID-19 ended their journey. As the season progressed, Baker got comfortable with knocking down three’s off the catch, but operated best at the high post where he could turn and look to score or find open shooters with swing passes. He’s a plus rebounder and is equipped with a good motor. [player_tooltip player_id="957034" first="Tjay" last="Beckles"] | 5’10 | Overlea/Team Melo Ranking: 22 Offers: N/A Beckles has flown under the radar up to this point in time but whenever we watch him play he makes his presence known with his elite outside shooting range. He’s a shifty guard with good feel and ability to fill it up especially from three. Taking the next steps in his playmaking ability for others will be key along with continued progression as a defender. [player_tooltip player_id="957039" first="Samartine" last="Bogues"] | 5’6 | Calvert Hall/Team Thrill Ranking: 37 Offers: Bryant We didn’t get a chance to see Bogues in action this spring and summer, but he made a significant impact alongside Williams in the Calvert Hall backcourt. The 5-foot-6 tactician lives in the paint with his ability to break down his defender off the dribble. He has a good feel and makes sound reads while also having the mindset of finishing through contact if he takes it all the way to the rim. He’s a pesky defender who doesn’t allow the opposing ball-handler any easy trips up the floor.