Our updated 2024 rankings released earlier this week and as usual, I’ll run down the top 10 prospects in what appears to be a loaded class in regards to talent. | 1. Malachi Palmer Malachi Palmer 6'6" | SF Mt.…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inOur updated 2024 rankings released earlier this week and as usual, I’ll run down the top 10 prospects in what appears to be a loaded class in regards to talent.
1.
Malachi Palmer
Malachi
Palmer
6'6" | SF
Mt. Zion Prep | 2024
State
#53
Nation
MD
| 6’6 | Mt. Zion Prep
Palmer transferred to Mt. Zion after spending some of his sophomore season at Hillcrest Prep (AZ). He makes his return to the DMV and claims the top spot thanks to his ability for his size at 6-foot-6 and the fluidity in which he operates with. It’s something you don’t normally see until a player is in his sophomore or junior year of college. He’s a knockdown shooter from three, a major threat from the mid-range off the bounce and can use his length and athleticism for silky finishes around the rim. Palmer proved himself this spring and summer playing for The Syndicate 17U on the EYBL Circuit. Palmer recently received an offer from Maryland following a workout last week. Kansas, Ohio State, Oregon, Pitt and LSU have been the programs communicating consistently with the Harrisburg, PA native.
2.
Drew McKenna
Drew
McKenna
6'7" | PF
Glenelg Country | 2024
State
#61
Nation
MD
| 6’7 | Glenelg Country/Team Melo
McKenna caught national attention with his performance at DMV Live thanks to his ultra-efficient scoring performances. Similar to Palmer, it’s the size meshed with the skill set that makes McKenna so intriguing. As he continues to grow into his game and gain more confidence, we are seeing more wrinkles to his offensive repertoire. He’s primed for a huge season at Glenelg, which should further boost his recruitment. Georgetown, Butler, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Xavier and DePaul are all programs involved at the moment.
3.
Caleb Williams
Caleb
Williams
6'7" | SF
Sidwell Friends | 2024
State
#66
Nation
MD
| 6’7 | Sidwell Friends/Team Takeover
The theme with the top three is evident. They’re all skilled wings with good size and length who can score it an efficient clip. Williams checks those boxes as well, but an argument can be made that he has a slight edge with his overall basketball IQ. He understands how to play within an offense and make reads based off the defense’s rotation. Williams is lethal from deep off the catch and can defend multiple positions. Georgia Tech, Maryland, Villanova, Penn State, Michigan, Indiana and Virginia are some of the programs involved.
4.
Rob Dockery
Rob
Dockery
6'6" | SF
Jackson-Reed | 2024
State
#96
Nation
MD
| 6’6 | Jackson-Reed/Team Loaded
Dockery is a prospect who will showcase the full arsenal this season as the staple for Jackson-Reed. Last year playing next to Darren Buchanan Jr. (Virginia Tech), Dockery wasn’t featured as much on the ball as a playmaker, but his ability to grab-and-go after hauling in defensive boards will catch folks’ eyes. He has good size, broad shoulders that indicate his body should hold up putting on more weight throughout the years and is skilled with footwork to the point where he doesn’t rely on pure athleticism. Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, LSU, Maryland and Mississippi St. are some of the program involved with Dockery.
5.
Donavan Freeman
Donavan
Freeman
6'9" | PF
St. John's | 2024
State
#100
Nation
MD
| 6’9 | St. John’s DC/Team Takeover
In regards to size, length and long-term potential, Freeman has plenty to offers. He’ll still need to put on size before setting off for college, but at 6-foot-9 he has mobility, fluidity and an offensive skill set that has improved. He’s a pick-and-pop threat, can finish regularly in the dunker’s spot and does a nice job acting as the trailer in transition. His length disturbs shots at the rim defensively and he has good footwork when asked to hedge out on high ball screens. Freeman will shoulder much of the responsibilities as the anchor defensively and will need to be more aggressive rebounding the ball than previous seasons.
6.
Daquan Davis
Daquan
Davis
6'2" | CG
St. John's | 2024
State
#111
Nation
MD
| 6’2 | St. John’s DC/Team Takeover
Davis was an instrumental piece next to Williams in helping Team Takeover 16U to a Peach Jam Championship. The Baltimore native is as tough and rugged as they come in regards to his competitiveness. He’s been fearless ever since he stepped on the high schools scene, but now has the polished skill set to go with it. He can play on or off the ball, harasses his matchup as a defender and is a plus rebounder for his position. Offensively, he has always been able to finish around the rim through contact, but over the last six months he has improved drastically with his three-point shot. As a result, his recruitment has picked up. Texas A&M, Maryland, VCU and George Washington have all offered since June.
7.
Caden Diggs
Caden
Diggs
6'7" | SF
Bullis | 2024
State
#135
Nation
MD
| 6’7 | Bullis/New World
The first time I got eyes on Diggs was this past spring and after watching a few possessions it’s clear that he has tremendous upside. He’s put together at 6-foot-7 and has a frame that will fill out nicely over time. He’s an explosive athlete that can make eye-popping plays in transition and has soft touch on his attempts from mid-range. He’s a switchable defender, puts good effort in on the glass and if he can stay focused, will be one of those guys who shows improvements in different areas each time you watch him. Marquette, George Mason, George Washington, Richmond and Xavier are some programs who are involved.
8.
Malcolm Thomas
Malcolm
Thomas
6'8" | C
DeMatha | 2024
State
MD
| 6’8 | DeMatha/Team Durant
Thomas is a guy that I’m particularly high on after seeing him several times over the summer. He seems to be coming into his own and becoming comfortable with his 6-foot-8 frame. The son of former Washington Wizards’ big man Etan Thomas, Malcolm has the pedigree to be a junkyard dog when it comes to manning down the glass. He’s got soft touch on his jumper from mid-range and even out to three, but where he can really catch you off guard is his quick pop athletically. He gets to the rim quickly and tries to rip it off before making the trip down to the defensive end of the floor. He’ll take on a big role this season for DeMatha under new head coach Mike Jones.
9.
Ty Bevins
Ty
Bevins
6'6" | CG
Gwynn Park | 2024
State
#229
Nation
MD
| 6’6 | Gwynn Park/New World
I’ve been able to catch Bevins in action a couple times in the last few weeks and he’s impressed me in different ways. I’ve always loved the fluid release on his jumper and have witnessed him be especially efficient from the corners. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve seen Bevins operate more off the bounce and act as a playmaker. He makes sound, crisp passes in transition to hit teammates in stride for easy buckets, can make reads and deliveries off the live dribble and also knows when to make the simple swing pass to set up for the hockey assist. Gwynn Park should be a force in PG County this season and they’ll be led by Bevins, who is being recruited heavily by Temple, George Mason and George Washington at the moment.
10.
Tyler Boston
Tyler
Boston
5'10" | PG
Bullis | 2024
State
MD
| 5’11 | Bullis/Team Thrill
Boston is a guy (like
Daquan Davis
Daquan
Davis
6'2" | CG
St. John's | 2024
State
#111
Nation
MD
) who I’d want to go to war with. He’s active on the defensive end both on and off the ball, doesn’t hesitate to hit the floor for 50/50s and is always willing to step in and take a charge after rotating from the weak side. Offensively he can adjust to what the game calls for. If he needs to be aggressive as a scorer, he can make his defender pay for too much space from three. Boston can also get into the paint where he finishes with soft touch on his floaters, but if his team has advantages elsewhere, he can act as the set-up guy and get his teammates in areas where they are strongest. Boston holds offers from Rhode Island, George Mason and NJIT.
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