Breakout Players to Watch in DC

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are eight players who appear to be viable breakout candidates in DC this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1370497' first='Caleb' last='Gillus'] | Sidwell Friends '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gillus played meaningful minutes for the Quakers last year. Given the departure of his older brother, he could step into a bigger role. Gillus is a good leader who defends the ball. He has the intangibles to be a successful point guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1956020' first='Kwari' last='Harvey'] | Bard '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harvey gained valuable experience for a very good Bard team last season. He'll look to run it back with even more responsibility this time around. Keep an eye on this dynamic point guard prospect throughout his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782600' first='DJ' last='Hill'] | Maret '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill stands out as of the better perimeter defenders you'll find at the point guard position. He is quick and menacing. Hill's ability to match up with the MAC's top point guards could be a key to his team's success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1956051' first='Demontae' last='Neclos'] | McKinley Tech '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neclos emerged as a standout for the 25-win Trainers during his sophomore campaign. Expectations will be heightened moving forward. With Terrell Webster gone, Neclos is in line for an uptick in usage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1413941' first='Joebari' last='Parsons'] | Friendship Tech '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parsons is an alpha-dog type for Friendship Tech with the physicality and motor to be a dominant player as a senior. He attacks the glass and is a strong finisher around the basket in traffic. On-ball defense, playmaking, and determination will be some of Parsons' calling cards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494080' first='Ke'Mari' last='Pointer'] | Theodore Roosevelt '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pointer has already had some big games for Coach Nickens. He is a safe bet to continue producing at a high level for the Rough Riders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PointerKemari/status/1673880205872574467?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PointerKemari/status/1673880205872574467?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1366898' first='Lucas' last='Sekasi'] | Jackson-Reed '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sekasi is a player who has shown steady improvement over the years. The body of work he's put together over the last 6-12 months has been commendable. Sekasi's versatility as not just a shooter and playmaker but also a defender should make him a game-changer on both ends for the Tigers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1768963' first='Jaylen' last='Wills'] | St. Albans '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wills is a fun player to watch in part because of his combo of quickness and skill. He has been a standout for the Bulldogs in the past but continues to elevate his game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/STA1Basketball/status/1683435054171602947?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/STA1Basketball/status/1683435054171602947?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->