MD/DC Recruiting Report

<p>We’re back with another recruiting report after a few events took place along the East Coast. Expect next week’s report to be loaded with news as Hoop Group’s Southern Jam Fest is set to take place this weekend in one of the more stacked events I’ve covered since making the switch to the high school scene. But without further ado, let’s get into this week’s happenings.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>COMMITMENTS</strong></span></span></p> <p>2021 National Christian guard<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Russell-Zion.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1129649 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Russell-Zion-236x300.jpg" alt="" width="236" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1107828" first="Zion" last="Russell"] is headed to Northern Illinois. Russell is a 6-foot combo guard who has built a reputation as being a dynamic scorer. A quick twitch athlete with a first step that the majority of defenders struggle to recover from, Russell should hold his own at the Division I level when it comes to athleticism and scoring. Continuing to develop into a point guard will be key these next two or so years.</p> <p>2021 John Carroll/Team BBC point guard [player_tooltip player_id="712769" first="Jalen" last="Bryant"] committed to Kutztown. Bryant is a 5-foot-11 guard who was voted First-Team All BCL this season and helped lead the Patriots to a monumental upset over St. Frances in the BCL title game. Bryant’s shot making ability and tenacious defense should translate seamlessly at the Division II level.</p> <p>2021 Springbrook/Stat Nation wing [player_tooltip player_id="1049646" first="Jamal" last="Ukaegbu"] has committed to Millersville. The 6-foot-6 southpaw has plus length and versatility for his position. His athleticism is something that has steadily improved and when I saw Ukaegbu in action a few weeks back, he showcased why as he finished multiple dunks in traffic with authority. Players with Ukaegbu’s make up are valuable at any level, so as he polishes his overall game you can expect him to make an impact within the rotation. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>OFFERS </strong></span></span></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Cam-Whitmore.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1134512" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Cam-Whitmore-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>2022 Archbishop Spalding/Team Melo forward [player_tooltip player_id="837927" first="Cameron" last="Whitmore"] received an offer from Illinois. Just days after assistant coach Chester Frazier made the move to the Illini from Virginia Tech, he looks to pick up where he left off with our No. 1 overall player in the MD/DC player rankings. Whitmore’s stock continues to rise and I expect him to pick up another offer or two following this weekend at Southern Jam Fest.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Ward-Tyrell-Head-Shot.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1117454" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Ward-Tyrell-Head-Shot-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>2022 DeMatha/New World wing [player_tooltip player_id="777065" first="Tyrell" last="Ward"] received an offer from Miami. Ward and Whitmore are battling it out for the No. 1 spot in the 2022 rankings and to be honest, Ward is gaining significant ground. The 6-foot-7 wing is an dynamic scorer from all three levels and continues to improve on the defensive end. Similar to Whitmore, it wouldn’t  shock me if Ward is included in next week’s report following this weekend.</p> <p>2022 Good Counsel/Team Takeover guard [player_tooltip player_id="904640" first="Dylan" last="Williamson"] received an offer from Mississippi Valley State, his first offer to date. The 6-foot-1 guard has taken advantage of the stage and opportunity with Takeover this spring and generated low major interest throughout. As the spring and summer progresses, I expect this list to grow.</p> <p>2022 Prospect U point guard Rowan Brumbaugh’s offer streak continues as DePaul was the latest program to extend. The 6-foot-3 point guard is having one of the more productive springs and is emerging as the area’s biggest stock riser thanks to his ability to provide a sound balance of scoring and distributing from the point guard position. Brumbaugh has set three official visits for June including Wisconsin, Northwestern and Georgetown.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/DJ-Dormu.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1195058" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/DJ-Dormu-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>2023 Team Thrill point guard DJ Dormu received his first offer to date from North Carolina A&amp;T. The 5-foot-8 floor general has put together a productive spring for a very good Thrill 16U squad. His dog mentality and skillset has caught the eye of low major programs.</p>