WCAC Preseason Awards

MVP   [player_tooltip player_id='1259631' first='Patrick' last='Ngongba Jr.'] '24 C Paul VI   -There isn't a player in the league that poses more matchup problems on both ends of the floor. The 6'10 center anchors PVI's defense as the best help defender and shot blocker but on the other end can pass out of the high post, can shoot from the perimeter, and finishes well with either hand around the basket. With a lack of true bigs in the league and the graduation of the Panthers' primary option, I expect him to build on a productive junior campaign and summer circuit with an MVP-caliber year in the WCAC.     First Team   [player_tooltip player_id='2232329' first='Bryson' last='Tucker'] '24 G O'Connell   -The area's biggest transfer will look to push not only for WCAC/All-MET POY but McDonald's All-American this season as he re-establishes himself as one of the area's premier perimeter scoring threats. A midrange artist who methodically scores with his back to the basket or faced-up with his opponent, his athleticism and finishing ability around the rim has improved dramatically over the past 6 months. If the Knights play deep into the WCAC tournament, expect Tucker to be a big reason why.     [player_tooltip player_id='1259620' first='Darren' last='Harris'] '24 G Paul VI   -The Duke commit will look to capitalize on a prolific career at PVI with a WCAC Championship in addition to the individual honors that are certainly coming his way. While he built on his foundation of elite shooting with some added athleticism and burst last season- I'm looking for Harris to be more comfortable with the ball in his hands this season as a decision-maker and shot-creator. We're accustomed to seeing him hit 1 and 2-dribble jumpers after the pump fake, I'd like to see more wiggle off the bounce and a diverse shot diet supplemented with more floaters and touch shots in the paint.   [player_tooltip player_id='1370496' first='Derek' last='Dixon'] '25 G Gonzaga   -The sharp-shooting combo guard has really improved his ballhandling and playmaking abilities this summer, opening up his options coming off of ball screens and lifting from pindowns. The playmaking ability will make it very difficult for teams to faceguard Dixon in the halfcourt, forcing opponents to scheme other ways to keep him from getting hot beyond the arc. Can honestly see him shooting his way into WCAC MVP conversations this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1370498' first='Nykolas' last='Lewis'] '25 PG Gonzaga   -Will be interesting to see how Lewis attacks ball screens on the second side, utilizing his quickness and scoring gravity to create high percentage looks for his team as the defense scrambles to communicate switches defensively to counter his decisions. He enters the season as the #1 player with the most to prove this upcoming season, as I am hoping to see him take strides as a creator in his trips into the paint while minimizing turnovers. Lewis has progressed as an outside shooter as well as an on-ball defender, the latter will be key in dictating Gonzaga's defensive gameplan.     [player_tooltip player_id='1370514' first='Malcolm' last='Thomas'] '24 F DeMatha   -Thomas' health and consistency will heavily impact the type of season the Stags enjoy on Madison Street. Although I would like to see more from him as a rebounder- specifically on the offensive end- the defense always has to be aware of where the lengthy 6'9 lob threat is on the court. His progression as a catch and shoot threat from beyond the arc will only open up the court, but his bread and butter exists in his scoring on the low block. I expect to see progression as an off-ball communicator as the defensive anchor and shot-blocker for a DeMatha unit that will need to defend at a high level this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1782655' first='Prince' last='Moody'] '26 G McNamara   -Moody will look to build upon a strong freshman season and summer with a dramatically-increased role as a primary option for the Mustangs. 6'3 with burst, high-level finishing ability, and perimeter scoring chops- I expect Moody to put up big numbers for a Mustangs team in need of offensive punch. Expect to see 25+ scoring nights several times this season as the sophomore guard can get hot in a hurry.     Second Team   [player_tooltip player_id='1409272' first='Christian' last='Gurdak'] '25 F Gonzaga   -Gurdak will provide a consistent, physical presence this season for Gonzaga on the low block as well as the top of the key. While we all know of his scoring prowess in the paint as a play-finisher and rebounder, I think fans will be surprised by how mobile and how well of a passer he will prove to be at the top of the key.   [player_tooltip player_id='2148767' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] Jr '26 G Paul VI   -The top '26 player in the class, Smith gets AFTER it on both ends of the floor and will set the tone for PVI as a point of attack defender and dynamic finisher in transition. The midrange jumper is developing and will be good enough to keep defenses honest this season, opening up more driving lanes to the basket for the athletic 6'3 G to finish above the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='1782699' first='Quincy' last='Wadley'] '26 G O'Connell   -One of my most intriguing subplots of the HS basketball season this year will be how much O'Connell uses Wadley as an initiator on the ball this season. He has the burst, size, and handle to get the job done- I'm most interested in seeing how quickly he processes his reads and how crisp/on time his passes are in the halfcourt. We know he can shoot, we know he can score- let's watch his development as a floor general.   [player_tooltip player_id='1414529' first='Omari' last='Witherspoon'] '25 G St. John's   -Early reports out of Military Road are that the new arrival is beginning to turn the heads of High Major college coaches as a lengthy combo guard that can guard 3-4 positions. Witherspoon has always been known as a talented lead guard that can put the ball in the basket, but his transition to more of a point guard role has shown positive returns in his first few months at SJC. As he continues to develop his feel for when to score and when to facilitate, he will be a big part of the Cadets success for the next two seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='1259542' first='Ben' last='Hammond'] '24 PG Paul VI   -The Rhode Island commit is as steady as they come, always good for producing at least 10-5-5 numbers in a given setting. Lightning-quick with the rock and very adept and getting to his spots in the paint, Hammond will be expected to create shots for the other capable scorers in the starting lineup. I expect his defensive impact to round out his senior season, getting steals off-ball by jumping passing lanes in addition to the poke-outs he gets at a consistent level right now.     Honorable mention:   [player_tooltip player_id='1370501' first='Jaren' last='Curtis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1259618' first='Isaiah' last='Abraham'], [player_tooltip player_id='1782660' first='Qayden' last='Samuels'], [player_tooltip player_id='1259625' first='Jadyn' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='2340825' first='Liberty' last='Fusire'], [player_tooltip player_id='1782690' first='Silas' last='Devonish'], [player_tooltip player_id='1413945' first='Justin' last='Bumbray']     DPOY   [player_tooltip player_id='2148767' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] Jr '26 G Paul VI   -Smith's defensive intensity, body control, and ability to guard on or off the ball makes him the pick for DPOY in the WCAC. A +6 wingspan allows the 6'2 guard to block or alter shots, grab rebounds above the box, and get into passing lanes. He can comfortably guard 1-3 at a high level, with an ability to guard forwards on the wing on switches.   Runners up:   [player_tooltip player_id='1370501' first='Jaren' last='Curtis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1370514' first='Malcolm' last='Thomas']     Freshman of the year: [player_tooltip player_id='2353535' first='Izzy' last='Tchoubfong'] '27 W Good Counsel   -There is a lot of upside for this 6'6 freshman Good Counsel wing, + length and athleticism will allow him to guard 2-4 right off the bat. Expect him to provide value as a glue guy, weakside rebounder, and cutter for the Falcons     6th Man of the Year   [player_tooltip player_id='2231719' first='Blake' last='Harper'] '24 G Gonzaga   -The Howard commit grew to 6'5 over the summer and is comfortable playing on or off the ball, knocking down perimeter shots at a very high level. I expect Harper to thrive as a catch and shoot target with the defensive attention paid to his backcourt teammates, don't be surprised if he hits some big shots down the stretch for the Purple Eagles   Honorable mention: Ant Brown (PVI), [player_tooltip player_id='2353566' first='Oladeji' last='Olorungbohunmi'] (SJC), Daylen Bolding (Carroll), [player_tooltip player_id='1371866' first='Tim' last='Walker'] (O'Connell)     Most Improved   [player_tooltip player_id='1371866' first='Tim' last='Walker'] '25 G O'Connell   -Can play either guard spot at O'Connell while guarding both positions at a high level. Has improved his conditioning, moves better laterally defensively, and is quickly becoming more and more of a threat to score beyond the arc. Fully expect him to provide a spark at both ends of the floor for the Knights       Coach of the Year:   Steve Turner-Gonzaga   -Coach Turner will have the most talent he's had in the last few years and can employ a wide variation of schemes with the improved lineup flexibility. Expect them to be just as potent in transition offensively, but will be a markedly better halfcourt offensive unit with the scoring and passing ability on the low block in [player_tooltip player_id='1409272' first='Christian' last='Gurdak']

MVP