Early Season Observations: Available 2023s

The high school season is now a couple of weeks in and it’s time to reflect on the action that we’ve taken in thus far. It’s been a busy start to the month of December and along they way I’ve been able to get out and see some available 2023 prospects who can contribute at the next level. Let’s dive in.

Corey Chesley Corey Chesley 6'5" | SF Good Counsel | 2023 State MD | Good Counsel

Chesley is one that I’m very surprised doesn’t have more low major Division I programs tracking him and on the verge of offering. He has the athleticism to hang at the mid major level. His skill set continues to improve and he’s been impressing early on this season by recording multiple 20+ point outings. When I saw him at the first-round of the Xaverian Classic in a win over Georgetown Prep, the 6’3 guard scored it from all three levels, rebounded at a sound rate and logged an effective performance on the defensive end.

Reico Hellams | Good Counsel

Hellams would be one of those guys as a player who I’d hate going up against. The 5’9 southpaw lead guard is as pesky as they come defensively and generates turnovers from good ball pressure and active hands that also come to light in the passing lanes off the ball. He thrives in the midrange where he can stop and pop in the blink of an eye. He’s a capable shooter from three off the catch, can finish high floaters in the paint and also has good instincts on paint touches finding open teammates.

Malcolm Day Malcolm Day 6'6" | SF Takoma Academy | 2023 State MD | Takoma Academy

Days is starting to find his footing early on after a summer that resulted in boosting his stock significantly. He’s 6’6 with good length, popping athleticism and can get it going from beyond the arc after seeing one drop. He’s at his best in the open floor filling the lanes where he’s a lob threat and his length brings value on the defensive end contesting shots at the rim or on closeouts.

Dorian Credle Dorian Credle 6'1" | PG Takoma Academy | 2023 State MD | Takoma Academy

Credle had a very productive game against Fairfax Christian and it was capped off by drilling two three’s in the fourth quarter to help separate his team for the eventual victory. Credle is a 5’11-6’0 lead guard with a strong frame and plays with great energy. He can sometimes get a little too sped up and forced into some bad decisions, but he has grown as a playmaker since the summer, which offers optimism for progression in that area.

CJ Cason | Norfolk Collegiate

Cason feasted on the zone defense that Athens Christian threw Norfolk Collegiate’s way from either wing with deep three’s. The 6’1 senior found his groove early and never hesitated from there on out if he had 3-to-4 feet of space to unload a triple with sound shooting mechanics. Athens refused to get out of the zone despite Cason’s success and it resulted in his team walking away with a dominant win.

Omarion Reid Omarion Reid 6'6" | C Mt. Carmel | 2023 State MD | Mt. Carmel

Reid is answering a lot of questions that college coaches had after he put forth a productive summer with Team Melo MD23. The 6’6 forward is a physical presence inside who is uber-efficient with his touches around the basket. He rebounds at a high rate, runs the floor consistently and shows sound footwork in covering ball screens. His gate can still use some opening to further improve his footwork and overall athleticism, but Reid looked quite comfortable battling inside against Amani Hansberry Amani Hansberry 6'7" | C Mount St. Joseph | 2023 State #52 Nation MD (Illinois commit) despite coming up short in a game against Mount St. Joe earlier this week.

Mitchell Kalu Mitchell Kalu 6'5" | PF Mt. Carmel | 2023 State MD | Mt. Carmel

Kalu has some of the most explosive athleticism you’ll find in Baltimore when playing off of two feet. His pogo-stick jumping ability combined with his brute frame at 6’5 makes him a tough prospect to project, but there is no denying the numbers he can post. He’s a thunderous finisher, a tenacious rebounder and plays with an edge.

Christos Palkogiannis Christos Palkogiannis 6'5" | PF Landon | 2023 State MD | Landon

It was my first time seeing Palkogiannis and his size plus shooting ability at 6’5 is what caught my eye. He moves well without the ball and seems to understand how to relocate as the defense rotates. His sweet spot was from the corner whether it was from 15 feet or beyond the arc. Defensively he isn’t going to control a game, but he’s going to play his designated assignment well and stay true to the game plan.

Rejuan Gray Rejuan Gray 6'6" | SG Takoma Academy | 2023 State MD | Takoma Academy

Gray’s skill set was at the forefront during the Xaverian Classic as the 6’6 wing buried multiple after creating space off the dribble. His length, fluidity and confidence were all things that you envision when projecting him as a prospect, but it seems as if he’s starting to tap into that potential a little earlier than expected. Like his teammate, Day, Gray can disrupt shot attempts around the rim with his length and must be respected from all three levels in transition.

Drazen Sinogoj | Mt. Carmel

Sinogoj has taken on a bigger role on this year’s team and has proven to be the outside shooting presence that head coach Trevor Quinn can count on. The 6’3 senior has a quick trigger when coming off pin downs or off the catch after flaring out in transition. I expect his early season success to demand opposing team’s full attention, which should create valuable spacing for the Mt. Carmel guards to take advantage of.

Sean Clark Sean Clark 6'1" | CG Mount St. Joseph | 2023 State MD | Mount St. Joe

Clark almost had the dunk of the year against Mt. Carmel when he drove into traffic and skied over a defender for a one-handed flush. It unfortunately hit the back rim, but it was an example of his sneaky athleticism at 6’1. Clark is a guy who knocks down some valuable shots throughout the course of games for the Gaels that could go unnoticed because of the talent surrounding him. He brings great value to the defensive end where he’s an effective on-ball defender with quick feet and active hands.