Local Long-Term Bets

We updated all 4 high school classes in the past month and wanted to highlight a few names that we think will be impactful prospects in the long run, but may be a year or so away from contributing on varsity teams. Whether that's because of skill development, pedigree, upside based off measurables, or their team's needs/rotations varies quite a bit amongst this list. Development is not linear, but we'll touch base on a few guys that we believe in long term in Maryland and DC. Let's dig in!    -Clark probably has the easiest road map to playing time for a John Carroll team that needs his size and physicality in the paint. But he was included in this list because of his long-term upside to become a more versatile offensive player that should add more to his scoring bag as he develops in a prominent role. With his motor, work ethic in the weight room and on the practice floor, and a soft touch that he's looking to extend further from the basket-- I expect him to be a well-rounded big man prospect that should see a bump in his recruitment.     -Put on a show at the Hoop Buzz event as an athletic wing prospect with a versatile skillset. The Cameroonian native is a slashing wing that is adding in more perimeter skill as a ball-handler and C+S threat. As his skillset progresses to weave through traffic or create space for his shot, he can eventually provide some self-creation and scoring ability from beyond the arc. His value as a switchable defender that can comfortably guard 2-4 will make him a hot commodity for college coaches.     -We wrote about Pearson as one of the highest risers in the 2027 class because of his potential as a wing prospect and still feel good about him long-term. Right now he serves as more of a W/F tweener that can block shots, rebound, put it on the floor a little bit, and hit the occasional C+S look. Improving his vertical pop, foot speed, cardio endurance, and touch around the basket would go a long way in carving out a role for a defense-first Sidwell program that can use his size. Whether he continues to grow or stays the same size, whether he develops in a bigger role on junior varsity or learns in a smaller role on varsity this season-- I'm high on his upside while feeling comfortable with his floor.     -Muhammad will step right into a role with the MZ Prep team learning behind Jeffrey and other upperclassmen. He enters HS basketball as a strong, stocky guard with a good feel for when to assertively look to score and when to create for others. Defensively he works hard to stay in front and plays with physicality on the ball, but will need to come along quickly on the defensive end navigating screens and taking the right close-out angles to stay on the floor in a tough Elite Prep League.     -The genetics are there as an incoming freshman shooter with good size that comes from a basketball family that played the game at a high level. Larrañaga's shot preparation, footwork, and feel for when to lift from the corners or fade when his defender turns his head off the ball frees him up for open looks. But he's also starting to attack closeouts with more regularity and looks opposite to shift the defense, timing backdoor shots once a shot goes up to extend possessions with offensive rebounds a few times at the St. Mary's Team Camp. Becoming a more vocal and aggressive defender will be key to earning minutes and developing more feel on the ball.

We updated all 4 high school classes in the past month and wanted to highlight a few names that we think will be impactful prospects in the long run, but may be a year or so away from contributing on varsity teams. Whether that's because of skill development, pedigree, upside based off measurables, or their team's needs/rotations varies quite a bit amongst this list. Development is not linear, but we'll touch base on a few guys that we believe in long term in Maryland and DC. Let's dig in!