Spring Watch: Versatile Forwards
In this article:
As crazy as it seems, we are right around the corner from AAU season tipping off. The first live period is officially less than a month away and while it’s almost guaranteed that the AAU ‘transfer portal’ opens up we…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs crazy as it seems, we are right around the corner from AAU season tipping off. The first live period is officially less than a month away and while it’s almost guaranteed that the AAU ‘transfer portal’ opens up we will see a change of scenery for a bunch of the prospects that I’ll highlight over the next week or so, it’s still that time to shed light on who should be on folks’ radar moving into spring. We move onto the 2024 versatile fours and fives.
Derik Queen | Team Thrill
Queen plays his high school ball in the state of Florida for Montverde Academy, but for the spring and summer he returns home and runs with Team Thrill on the UAA Circuit. Queen helped his team capture the 17U championship last July and intends on doing the same in what should be his last go around with AAU basketball. The 6’9 forward can be found in the top 20 of any national rankings that you prefer to use and his versatility with his back to the basket or acting as a passer from the top of the key is well documented.
Donovan Freeman | Team Takeover
Freeman ranks as the No. 2 player in our 2024 MD/DC player rankings and has a real argument for the No. 1 spot when the rankings are updated after a dominant junior campaign. The 6’9 forward led St. John’s (DC) to the WCAC title and showed plenty of progression in different areas of his game in the process. Overall, he was more assertive at both ends and played with the consistent aggression that was needed in order for his team to be considered one of the top programs in the DMV. Team Takeover will expect a similar level of play as he anchors a group who won the Peach Jam title at the the 16U level last summer (Freeman played 17U).
Malcolm Thomas Malcolm Thomas 6'8" | PF DeMatha | 2024 State #122 Nation MD | Team Durant
Thomas is another prospect who enjoyed a productive season in the WCAC. The 6’8 lefty took on a much bigger role for DeMatha and proved his worth as a double-double threat each time he stepped on the floor. His athleticism is what impressed most with the way he quickly explodes off the ground for dunks, put backs or to deny attempts at the rim on the defensive end. Thomas is a guy who brings great energy to both ends of the floor and was quietly productive for Durant 16s last season. I’d expect him to carry the success from this winter over to this spring and summer as he continues to make a name for himself with MM-HM programs.
Farrell was a key cog for Mount St. Joseph this year in their pursuit of a BCL title. He’s an active, gritty four man at 6’6 who doesn’t shy away from physicality. Since he arrived at Mount St. Joe, there has been clear expansion of his skill set. Before he was limited to cleaning up the glass, finishing around the dunker’s spot and hitting an occasional 10-footer when left open. This past season it wasn’t shocking to see him cash in on transition three’s as a trailer, make plays for others from the top of the key off 1-to-2 dribbles and become more of an overall threat while still doing all of the things mentioned when he was a freshman and sophomore. The Melo frontcourt of he and Caleb Embeya Caleb Embeya 6'9" | C St. Maria Goretti | 2024 State #238 Nation MD are going to be fun for college coaches to watch because of the motor, effort and physicality that they bring on both ends.
Xander Alarie Xander Alarie 6'8" | SF St. Andrew's | 2024 State MD | Global Squad
Alarie built momentum this season with his body of work at St. Andrew’s. At 6’7, he can fill a stretch four role as the southpaw forward can make you pay with opportunities from beyond the arc. He exhibits good footwork operating on the block, can knock down shots in face-up scenarios and has developed into a legitimate pick-and-pop threat. Global Squad will take on a big opportunity of playing on the UAA Circuit this season and have largely revamped their roster. Having a guy like Alarie in the frontcourt helps with proving to be a worthy program.