Unsigned Senior Spotlight: Trae English

We continue to shine light on the unsigned seniors that unfortunately didn’t get the fair chance to showcase their talents due to COVID restrictions. Trae English Trae English 5'11" | PG Baltimore Poly | 2021 State MD , Poly senior point guard, is a prospect who has taken tremendous strides over the past calendar year. He learned how to play the position last season with Poly as the sixth man and hung his hat by providing endless defensive ball pressure and routinely getting into the paint to create for others. 

This spring/summer, he was the floor general for Team Thrill 17U, who finished with an undefeated record. 

“The summer was good,” English continued, “I was playing with a bunch of top recruits and they were looking at me to lead them. I was trying to direct everything and Coach Mookie was using me a lot. He pushed me to be a vocal leader. He wanted me to improve on that area and I’m still working on it to this day.”

English is one of the few prospects in Baltimore who hasn’t been completely shut out because of COVID. “Our Family” has made a point to get in games in order to compile film for seniors such as English. On Our Family, English is surrounded by younger players, so being vocal has been imperative.

“It means a lot to me that we’re actually getting a chance to play right now. I’m still getting a chance to show what I can do. A lot of schools aren’t doing anything at all right now, so it means a lot that my coaches are willing to get us this opportunity.”

Poly was in pursuit of their fourth-straight Class 3A state title last season before it was cut short with the pandemic. English played a key role as the sixth man coming off the bench.

“Last year a lot wasn’t expected out of me,” English said. “I just had to play my role like play defense and do all of the little things right. They didn’t look at me to lead that much since we had Justin Lewis Justin Lewis 6'8" | PF Baltimore Poly | 2020 State #49 Nation MD (Marquette), Rahim Ali Rahim Ali 5'11" | PG Baltimore Poly | 2020 State MD (Howard) and Brandon Murray (IMG Academy/LSU commit). But now, I have to do a little bit of everything. I have to lead, score, get everybody together and keep everyone right. My role has gotten way bigger than it was last year.”

English hasn’t only improved his vocal skills, he’s become a dynamic playmaker out of ball-screen situations. The 5-foot-10 guard has quick-twitch abilities and can get to the rim in a split second. He has good feel on drives and anticipates defensive rotations in order to locate open teammates quickly. English is one of the top on-ball defenders you’ll find in the MD/DC area and the way he relentlessly pressures the ball has been appealing to college programs.

“The school who’s been contacting me the most is Abilene Christian. They like the way that I play and have a guard that will be graduating after this season, so they think I can come in and help them,” English said.

Currently with zero offers, English continues to turn heads when Our Family takes the court. His recruitment remains open.