MLK Dream Classic: '27+'28 Stars In Their Role

The term "role player" often has a negative connotation and is subjective as a general rule. But we think it's important to highlight some of the players that carry out their role's tasks for their group, whether they are one of the last guys off the bench or a starter. The dirty work performed night in and night out often is the sign of a balanced group that understands and exceeds their individual expectations within a team concept. Let's tap in with a few prospects that shined in their role!    1p 3r 1a 4s vs Riviera Prep   -A prospect that we've written about quite a bit recently but for good reason-- Washington fits in perfectly with the Quakers' culture at both ends of the floor. Sidwell's style of play is predicated on staying home defensively, forcing opponents coming off of ball screens to the sideline while keeping their man in front. Washington stays within that structure but has shown the pesky instincts to swipe in at the right time to knock a ball away, whether that is on double teams, digs down to the post, or on the ball. He forced 4 steals and forced another two turnovers, disrupting Riviera's offensive flow that starts with their guards getting paint touches. Offensively, still want to see him drive in amongst the trees more often and with a plan. Either to dump off to a big or finish over the top of the defense with a floater or pivot around bigger defenders to score on a scoop layup. For now, the freshman PG is in lockstep for what his team needs from him off the bench.     5p 4r 1s vs Wasatch   -Thought Kelly made the most of his minutes, starting in place of a senior big that is out sick to serve as a disruptive rebounder and screen-setter for the Lions. Kelly's energy on the glass and in transition extended possessions for his team against a national opponent in Wasatch. As he adds more weight to his frame and begins to confidently take more jumpers--even from the midrange on pick n pops-- I think he will make a name for himself in the area.     4p 6r 2b vs Riviera Prep   -A sophomore big that transferred into Potomac this summer, Russell flashed an intriguing set of skills and fought pretty hard at the defensive end of the floor. He's a better athlete than I remember, showing off a surprising/improved vert on the on-ball recovery block when his matchup got him off balance with a jab from the midpost, Russell stuck a tough putback through a double box-out in the paint from an opposing forward and guard, showed off an improving set of hands with a good rebound in traffic and an awkward double-clutch putback off glass later in the 2H. Once the game slows down for the sophomore big I think he will be able to show off a nice scoring touch from the low block, as I think the midrange shooting and FT shooting stroke will only continue to improve for a really scrappy Potomac group.     6p 1r 2b 2s vs Legacy   -Love the chaotic energy and abandon that Mahan plays with each time he enters the game, whether he's played for long stretches earlier in the game and is already feeling comfortable or this his first spurt of playing time that day. He sprints the floor hard in transition, can knock down open looks beyond the arc, is growing more and more comfortable attacking closeouts with straight line drives, and is a pretty fearless rebounder in the key. If he can harness that aggression and athletic ability into becoming a versatile defensive weapon, I think he will only continue to carve out a bigger and bigger role for a JR program that doesn't often play underclassmen in big games.     7p 3r 2a 1s vs Penn Charter   -The top-40 sophomore guard is starting to string together consistent performances off the bench for the Hoyas, comfortably staying within the flow of the game to keep the offense humming when the starters rest. Desire can play both on or off the ball as a shifty downhill driver that can create his own shot, create for others, or function efficiently as an off-ball guard that moves the rock and can hit open shots. Desire hit a 1-dribble middie attacking in from the wing, scored on a layup after a timely backdoor cut from the corner (+FT), threw a beautiful alley lob from the logo to his big in transition, got two in the paint and delivered a great drop off to the big on the block, and hit a floater off glass late in the game after breaking the press. As he continues to score and distribute efficiently, his on-ball defensive efforts should earn him more PT as he harnesses his quickness and positioning IQ to bother ballhandlers in the halfcourt.     9p 1r 1a 1s vs Georgetown Prep   -It was pretty easy to see early on this matchup with Georgetown Prep why the Philly area is so high on the freshman guard out of Penn Charter. Smith got to his spots in the paint as a secondary play-maker on the wing attacking closeouts, showed advanced body control on acrobatic layups in midair in transition, and is a great finisher in tight spaces around the basket. Smith isn't a speed demon in transition but he plays with good pace, changing the tempo and height of his dribble in transition to get his defender to commit to a closeout angle before exploding the opposite direction to the rim. Smith works well as an off-ball defender that can use relatively good size and length to bother opponents around the rim if they get past their matchup, but will need to learn to flip his hips and stunt more at the ballhandler to keep them from getting by him--especially in the middle of the floor. But with a growing repertoire of ball skills, good size, and a fluid offensive game-- he will be a name to know at the national level in 2028.

The term "role player" often has a negative connotation and is subjective as a general rule. But we think it's important to highlight some of the players that carry out their role's tasks for their group, whether they are one of the last guys off the bench or a starter. The dirty work performed night in and night out often is the sign of a balanced group that understands and exceeds their individual expectations within a team concept. Let's tap in with a few prospects that shined in their role!