Recruiting Roundup: DMV Prospects Thriving Off Coaching Changes

The spring is upon us, which means on the high school front, AAU season is about to get into full swing. At the college level, it's the time of year where we see a slew of coaching changes, which has a ripple effect on the recruiting trail. Once the new head coaches get settled in their new program and make their staff official, offers follow. Let's take a look at the developments over the last week or so.   Kim English intends to keep DMV ties strong at Providence   English is one of the bright, rising stars in the coaching industry and after just two years as head coach at George Mason, he was selected to follow in the footsteps of Ed Cooley, who made the move to Georgetown. No matter where English has stopped throughout his coaching career, his efforts in the DMV and Baltimore haven't waivered. That remains to be the case with his intentions over the last week offering the following prospects:    '24 Derik Queen- Queen is a five-star forward from Baltimore who plays his high school ball at Montverde Academy, but sill stars for [program_tooltip program_id='2077005' first='Team' last='Thrill'] throughout the spring and summer. The 6'9 versatile big is the highest-rated prospect he intends on getting involved with since making the move and while Queen's recruitment has been established with a core group of schools for some time, it'd be silly to assume that he is closed off to any new programs getting involved. Maryland and Indiana all have strong ins with Queen currently while LSU and Seton Hall are establishing a relationship.    '24 [player_tooltip player_id='1259618' first='Isaiah' last='Abraham'] (Paul VI/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'])- Abraham has been a favorite of English's for years now. Now that he's in the Big East and at a program that can throw some weight around while dealing with a top-100 prospect. The 6'7 wing had a strong ending to the 2022-23 high school season and showcased his two-way versatility that garnered more interest from power five programs. He holds offers from Tennessee, Connecticut, Villanova, Arizona State, Pittsburgh, Marquette and others.    '24 [player_tooltip player_id='1089572' first='Daquan' last='Davis'] (St. John's (DC)/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'])-Davis went on a tear this season helping lead the Cadets to the WCAC title while claiming Max Preps DC Player of the Year after averaging 16.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. His approach and style of play as a productive, tough-nosed guard makes it tough for any college coach not to be attracted to. His stock over the calendar year has skyrocketed and English is fully aware. Maryland, Penn State, Illinois, Mississippi State, Butler, Notre Dame and others are involved.    '24 [player_tooltip player_id='1127314' first='Caleb' last='Williams'] (Sidwell/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'])-Williams is another hot commodity in the local 2024 class because of his blend of size, length, skill and IQ. He was the leader of the top team in the DMV this winter as the 6'7 lefty brought production as an efficient shot maker, acted as a connector on both ends and provided valuable leadership qualities to sustain such a winning-filled season. Winning at such a level is something that is viewed as an intangible to college coaches, so English immediately extended the offer and will look to get involved quickly. Villanova, Michigan, Indiana and now Georgetown are all involved with Williams.    '24 [player_tooltip player_id='1259630' first='Garrett' last='Sundra'] (Paul VI/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'])-Sundra's rise began at the end of October when Maryland became his first high-major offer. Iowa and Miami joined the club not even 24 hours later and since then, the 6'10 forward's stock has continued to rise with steady play for a stacked PVI team this past winter. Villanova is the most recent school other than Providence to offer while other such as Butler and and Seton Hall have established in-roads.    '25 [player_tooltip player_id='1225257' first='Acaden' last='Lewis'] (Sidwell/[program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant'])-English made it a point to reach out to multiple Sidwell prospects and for good reason. Lewis is intriguing because of his dynamic playmaking on the ball. The 6'2 southpaw lead guard has a tight handle and wiggle that allows him to create space to generate his own offense. He's still growing as a distributor, but made obvious progressions in this sense over the season playing a bench role to senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='957022' first='Cam' last='Gillus'] (Lehigh). Expect Lewis to step into a much bigger role next season for head coach Eric Singletary now that Gillus has graduated. St. John's is the latest program other than Providence to offer Lewis.    '25 [player_tooltip player_id='1370500' first='Jalen' last='Rougier-Roane'] (Sidwell/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'])-Rougier-Roane has one of the highest ceilings of this extremely talented local 2025 pool, in my opinion. He's a threat to score from all three levels and can do so whether he has to create on his own or play a role in a disciplined half court system. At 6'5 with plus length, athleticism and versatility, Rougier-Roane has all of the tools to be an impact player on both ends. English and his staff had offered him back when they were at George Mason and will continue the relationship at Providence. Marquette is the other program involved, as they offered last summer.   Tony Skinn gets his shot at George Mason   Skinn was named head coach of his alma mater after English's departure. He has been an established presence on the recruiting trail dating back to his time at Seton Hall, Ohio State and was obviously a major cog at Maryland in Kevin Willard's first season. Skinn appointed his staff in such a way that George Mason will continue to be a threat in the DMV area on the trail. Once that staff was announced, they got straight to work.    '24 [player_tooltip player_id='1127311' first='Ty' last='Bevins'] (Gwynn Park/New World)-Bevins held an offer from George Mason when English was at the helm, but Skinn re-offered the 6'5 guard and will likely prioritize him moving forward. Bevins has the ideal size as an off-ball guard who can hit shots from beyond the arc off the catch, attack closeouts where he gets to his spot in the mid-range with balance and will occasionally give an above the rim finish utilizing his athleticism. It'll be interesting to see how his recruitment unfolds over the summer, as plenty of other mid-major programs are interested, but haven't officially offered. Bevins seems to be an ideal fit at the A-10 level.    '24 [player_tooltip player_id='1259542' first='Ben' last='Hammond'] (Paul VI/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'])-While it's easy for an outsider to assume that being the orchestrator for an absolutely stacked PVI team wouldn't be difficult, there's a certain level of self awareness needed to fill such a role to its capacity. Hammond embodied that with his ability to step up when he needed to be more of a scoring threat, but the majority of the time was depended on to set the pace an ensure execution was taking place in the half court. He's also a point guard who brings his hardhat to the defensive end and for his size at 5'10-5'11, is a plus rebounding presence. Fordham is the latest school to offer Hammond.    '25 [player_tooltip player_id='1371867' first='Cameron' last='Ward'] (George Mason/[program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant'])-Ward is off to a strong start this spring after a dominant sophomore campaign for Largo. The 6'7 combo forward can get it done in multiple statistical categories and while he had been more of a scorer out to around 17 feet or so, he's steadily improving his shot from three both off the catch or off the bounce. His dynamism at this course of his development offers a high ceiling that others should notice quickly this spring. West Virginia and George Washington are Ward's most recent offers. He took a visit to Arkansas last month, but they have yet to officially offer.    '25 [player_tooltip player_id='1370498' first='Nykolas' last='Lewis'] (Gonzaga/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'])-Lewis and Ward are the top prospects in our MD/DC rankings for the 2025 class and rightfully so. Lewis has brings an elite feel for the game both as a scorer and distributor. Simply put, you won't find many better lead guards in the country at his age. In my opinion, it's only a matter of time until his recruitment reflects as such. Maryland, Virginia Tech and LSU account for a few of the other programs who have offered.    '25 [player_tooltip player_id='1370496' first='Derek' last='Dixon'] (Gonzaga/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'])-Another extremely talented guard in the 2025 class is Dixon. The duo of he and Lewis in the backcourt makeup the best guard tandem that you'll find in the DMV. Dixon stands 6'4 and has proven himself as an elite threat from deep, a dependable playmaker for himself or others and a willing defender. Pittsburgh, Kansas State, Fordham, George Washington and Bryant are some other programs who have offered Dixon.   Duane Simpkins' active start as American head coach   Simpkins has been in the running for a few head coaching position over the years and also a finalist for his share of power five assistant positions, but he now gets his shot at leading American University in the Patriot League. Simpkins has been another staple on the DMV recruiting trail and helped English establish a heavy recruiting presence over the last few years at Mason.   '24 [player_tooltip player_id='1127311' first='Ty' last='Bevins'] (Gwynn Park/New World)- Bevins (above) was on Simpkins' radar back when he was at George Mason recruiting him, so extending the offer was not surprising.    '24 [player_tooltip player_id='1164818' first='Caden' last='Diggs'] (Bullis/New World)- Diggs is an intriguing prospect because of the pop that he can bring as an athlete. There's no doubt that in the open floor, he's one of the more exciting prospects to watch. As his overall game continues to come into fruition, his value will rise. At 6'7, Diggs can prove himself this spring and summer as being a versatile wing that can defend multiple positions and become a scoring threat from outside of the paint. Richmond has remained involved with his recruitment with Marquette being his biggest offer that came in September.    '24 Tey Barbour (Osbourn/[program_tooltip program_id='2078456' first='DC' last='Premier'])-Barbour is still one of the more underrated DMV prospect and as [program_tooltip program_id='2078456' first='DC' last='Premier'] gets action in the spring live period, I'd think more programs will pick up on his ability and upside. He's a 6'4 combo guard who is a legitimate scoring threat from multiple levels. He has explosive athleticism on drives to the rim where he can finish with either hand and an effortless stroke from three that he can knock down off the dribble. Barbour is a fiery competitor on the defensive end and brings physicality to the backcourt. Harvard, George Washington, Towson, Old Dominion and Mount St. Mary's are some other programs who have extended offers.    '25 [player_tooltip player_id='1434218' first='Will' last='Harper'] (Gonzaga/[program_tooltip program_id='2078456' first='DC' last='Premier'])-Simpkins establishing a relationship with Harper at this stage is strategic as the 6'4 sophomore guard is coming off a season connecting on better than 38 percent of his three's. He understands the gravity that he commands as a floor-spacer and fits the needed role on this Gonzaga team from last season and for seasons to come. It'll be intriguing to monitor Harper's stock if he can continue to add to his skillset over the summer.   Ed Cooley lead the new era at Georgetown   It seemed like it was only right for former Georgetown head coach Patrick Ewing to end his time at his alma mater after what has been an underwhelming few seasons under his leadership. Cooley steps in as one of the best head coaches in the college game where he brings charisma and attempts to bring the magic that the Georgetown brand brings to college basketball back with a vengeance. He and his staff are already off to a strong start with assembling his roster for the 2023-24 season and over the last few days, we've seen their efforts turn to the future.    '24 [player_tooltip player_id='1225253' first='Drew' last='McKenna'] (Glenelg Country/Team Loaded)-McKenna established himself as a high-major prospect last summer on the DMV Live stage. Over the course of the high school season, there are plenty of reasons to believe that he is on the verge of blowing up. Cooley got to work right away with re-offering McKenna and hosting him for an unofficial visit this weekend. Now playing with Team Loaded on the 3SSB Circuit, it'll be interesting to see how his recruitment pans out. Maryland is involved as is Butler and Xavier. Michigan, Gonzaga and Kansas are all programs who have expressed interest in the dynamic 6'8 wing.   '24 [player_tooltip player_id='1127314' first='Caleb' last='Williams'] (Sidwell/[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'])-Williams held a Georgetown offer from the previous staff, but was one of the first prospects that the new staff reached out to and expressed their intentions with. I wrote about what Williams can bring as a prospect earlier and who is involved earlier in this article.

The spring is upon us, which means on the high school front, AAU season is about to get into full swing. At the college level, it's the time of year where we see a slew of coaching changes, which has a ripple effect on the recruiting trail. Once the new head coaches get settled in their new program and make their staff official, offers follow. Let's take a look at the developments over the last week or so.