2022 Bigs Primed For Breakout Seasons
Winter is approaching and while there is still uncertainty for the high school season, some leagues around the DMV are formulating plans for start dates. With that being the case, it’s the most opportune time to begin previewing players who…
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Continue ReadingWinter is approaching and while there is still uncertainty for the high school season, some leagues around the DMV are formulating plans for start dates. With that being the case, it’s the most opportune time to begin previewing players who should experience breakout seasons in 2020-21. We’ve already taken a look at over a handful of guards who should enjoy standout junior seasons. The wing prospects have been covered and now it’s time to move onto the bigs.
Favour Aire Favour Aire 6'10" | C Bishop McNamara | 2022 State #86 Nation MD | Bishop McNamara
Aire has established himself since day one as the top big in the DMV 2022 class. This summer he reminded everyone why that’s still the case through his play with New World. The 6-foot-10 forward has a relentless motor that comes to light when he’s crashing the glass or running the floor in transition. He finishes with power over the rim and is a lob threat at all times. His elite shot-blocking prowess will be mandatory for Bishop McNamara to be competitive in the WCAC this season.
Cesar Tchilombo Cesar Tchilombo 6'8" | C John Carroll | 2022 MD | John Carroll
Tchilombo came flying out of the gate last season and made it clear that he has ability to impact a game at the defensive end of the floor. We saw progression with his feel and comfortability when operating with his back to the basket. He developed into a legitimate lob threat and displayed good hands when rolling to the basket following ball screens. Continued improvement in his overall game will be vital for John Carroll to be a serious contender in the MIAA and BCL.
Stephaun Walker Stephaun Walker 6'7" | PF Coolidge | 2022 State MD | Coolidge
When you scan the DMV area you won’t find many rebounders who are better than Walker. Every time he takes the floor you can expect him to collect as least 10 boards. At 6-foot-7 he may be considered undersized, but he plays much bigger than his height and pursues the ball at its peak. He’s also a major weapon defensively with his versatility and ability to guard multiple positions.
Nicholas Evans Nicholas Evans 6'8" | C Gonzaga | 2022 State MD | Gonzaga
It’ll be interesting to see how Evans responds after a productive summer that got him on the radar with low major Division I programs. He’s still quite raw, but has the make up to become an impact big for head coach Steve Turner. Evans did what every coach needs out of their big while playing with District BC. He ran the floor consistently, rebounded aggressively and altered shots around the rim.
Jordan Green Jordan Green 6'5" | C St. Maria Goretti | 2022 State MD | St. Maria Goretti
Goretti lost a ton of production from last year’s group of seniors. What that means for this season is players such as 2021 guard Vincent Payne Vincent Payne 6'2" | CG St. Maria Goretti | 2021 State MD , 2022 wing Jordan Nkoa-Abesselo and Jordan Green Jordan Green 6'5" | C St. Maria Goretti | 2022 State MD will have to take on quite a challenge. Green is nearing 6-foot-6, which may not be the ideal size for a center, but comes with explosive athleticism that he uses to play above the rim. He supplies energy to both ends and will be vital to Goretti’s success this winter.
Jerrell Robinson | DeMatha
Robinson has a tough job ahead of him replacing Hunter Dickinson Hunter Dickinson 7'2" | C DeMatha | 2020 State #50 Nation MD (Michigan), but these are the exact situations we see when players take advantage of opportunities and bloom into legitimate prospects. Robinson will be surrounded by a slew of guards who can really score the ball. If he can use his length at 6-foot-8 to be a rebounding presence and finish his looks efficiently around the basket, his value should skyrocket.
Stefan Marchelle | Georgetown Prep
Marcelle is another New World big that witnessed significant success this summer. He’s seemed to grow an inch or so nearing 6-foot-8 and made his presence in the paint felt at both ends of the floor. He was a determined shot-blocker and will be leaned on heavily to rebound and score efficiently for Georgetown Prep in 2020. I’d expect for him to become more dynamic offensively and boost his stock significantly in 2020-21.