AP Prospects Of The Week

The last week of districts lead to some interesting matchups. We have dominant undersized post players, freshmen playing big roles, and sophomores with breakout potential. Below I’ve separated this week’s standouts by classifcation. Fantastic Frosh <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image2-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1386173" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image2-150x150.jpeg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id="1301737" first="Caleb" last="Williams"] | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1301737" first="Caleb" last="Williams"] - Sumner Williams has been one of the most consistent freshman producers in the area. He’s averaging 17 points per game in games I’ve watched. The 2025 prospect is a three-level scorer that can hit shots off the dribble, finish around length, and athleticism. He’s incredibly confident and is the emotional leader of this team. [player_tooltip player_id="1302882" first="Derrick" last="Doe Jr"]. - SLAM The only freshman on the team stepped into the starting point guard role mid-season. Doe Jr. is a solid distributor that can get in the paint for drive and kick opportunities. He’s still developing as a shooter but proved he can make shots in big moments when he has the space. I’ll be keeping tabs on the floor general’s development over the next four years. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image1-1-1-rotated.jpeg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1386180 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image1-1-1-150x150.jpeg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id="1301754" first="Joshua" last="Lewis"] | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1301754" first="Joshua" last="Lewis"] - Blake The 6’6 freshman has a lot of upside in his athleticism and frame. His activity level around the rim led to offensive rebounds and putbacks. He knocked down a three off the catch and racked up six trips to the free throw line. His athleticism showed the most in transition where he tracked down three would be break away finishes for chase down blocks. Lewis averaged a monstrous 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists over his freshman campaign. [player_tooltip player_id="1301757" first="Shamar" last="Council"] - Blake Council’s combination of 6’3 size and athleticism is worth a mention. He showed he can take guys off the dribble for straight line drives and draw fouls. His energy on the birds Super Sophomore <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image0-1-2-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1386186" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image0-1-2-150x150.jpeg" alt="Ramone Seals | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a>Ramone Seals - SLAM This could be a stock tornado forming summer for Seals. The performances he’s put up all season point to a growing feel for the game. In this game, the 6’4 sophomore took every defender Jesuit threw at him off the dribble for finishes at the rim. He finished above the rim on several transition dunks and an alley oop. Seals gets out in transition, can score in paint with floaters, and is developing as a live dribble passer. Nate Boakye - Jesuit I’ve been impressed with how the sophomore uses his speed all year. Boakye can put pressure on the ball handler because of the Jesuits press. The energy doesn’t go away in the halfcourt either, where he’s able to get in passing lanes and get in the space of ball handlers. The speed translates on the offensive end where he can get into the lane out of pick and rolls and in iso sets. Once he gets past his man, he can find open guys, finish through contact, and use floaters to score at the rim. Jack Burkard - Jesuit Size, shooting, and defensive intensity have been the calling cards for Burkard all season. He plays hard on both ends, allowing him to use his athleticism on putbacks and man coverage. The sophomore shot well from beyond the arc, hitting two threes off the catch. Christopher Moliere - Jesuit The 6’3 sophomore has a big guard’s game. He’s strong and physical, allowing him to be a solid cutter and finisher off drives. Moliere showed up on big moments knocking down two free throws in OT after missing a pair in regulation. [player_tooltip player_id="1360089" first="Matthew" last="Selmon"] - SLAM Selmon showed a different side than the shotmaker I saw in Wildwood. In limited minutes, he was able to force turnovers in SLAM’s press and play solid perimeter defense on speedy guards. Jumping Junior <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/182-Max-Sims.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1292977 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/182-Max-Sims-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1164282" first="Max" last="Sims"] - Jesuit Sims is a high-level shooter off movement. He runs hard off screens to knock down threes all over the court. In this matchup, he shot 3 of 5 from distance for 11 points. The 6’5 wing uses his size and hustle to rack up several deflections and two steals. [player_tooltip player_id="1060241" first="Israel" last="Vargas"] - Sumner Vargas showcased the quickness and playmaking that caught my eye this summer. His handle and on ball speed help him create paths to the rim and give room for his midrange pull up. He hit shots over a long athletic 6’6 wing and made layups through contact. He has good court vision and precise passes that lead to assist. King Asad - Blake The 6’4 lead guard plays a physical game. He started off the game hitting a three and made it his business to get to the paint the rest of the game. Asad is fairly athletic but makes plays with his touch, hitting several floaters in the teeth of the defense. He is a powerful driver with the balance to make a spin move and go straight into a fade away. Can’t Miss Seniors Patrick Ruffner - Jesuit Ruffner’s activity level on both ends kept Jesuit in the game. The 6’7 senior played hard, showed off ball skills, and range out to 18 feet. Idell Walton III - SLAM Walton III has impressed over a dozen JUCO coaches in his first year playing basketball. The 6’7 forward brings a rugged tight end frame to the hardwood. He’s a strong athlete that can finish against like size and block shots. He plays hard, runs the floor, rebounds on both ends, and has a ton of potential left on him. Tyrell Smith - Sumner The 6’3 guard caught fire behind the line in his 15 point game. He went 3 of 4 behind the line. Smith hit two of his threes off the dribble and the other after running off a screen. He’s a shotmaker that can put the ball in the hole with his jumper. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image3-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1386192" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image3-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Henry Katz - Blake Katz has been putting up strong stat lines all season. His 15 points, 18 rebounds, 11 block triple double against King stands out amongst a season riddled with big double doubles. He’s a bit undersized in the post at 6’6 but he’s incredibly skilled with good feet. The unsigned senior rebounds at a high level, blocks shots at a rate of 3.3 per game, and has moves in the post. He’s an interesting prospect for a team looking for a big that contributes in many ways on both ends.