Live Period Breakout Candidates: '27 Prospects

The introduction of the Scholastic Live Periods has become a crucial element of modern day recruiting and here in the DMV there is no shortage of events (6 total) for college coaches to attend to find the next wave of talent. We thought it would be important to highlight a few prospects that our scouts think are primed for a breakout performance that should net some college interest. Let's dig into with the junior class in the DMV!    DMV Live   -The Ghanian import exploded onto the scene in a big way at last week's DMV Live Warmup Event in his first game on American soil. He flashed impressive athleticism, a good nose for the basketball, an aggressive style of play at both hands, and has the measurements to be a matchup nightmare. The form on his FTs is developing, as is his handle, but he has some serious upside as a slashing 3+D guy that has the tools to become a high level prospect. Loved the impact that he had on the game across the stat sheet in a big matchup with a SJC team that should be among the best in the area this season. Playing alongside a true center in Ibe should be great for his game as it slots him into a much more natural 3/4 position.     DMV Live   -Jeffers transferred in from nearby Wheaton into the powerhouse program this offseason and should really entice scouts with his measurables and potential. Jeffers has long arms, gets off the ground quickly, can block shots, runs the floor well, and is a dependable lob target. He should slot into a big role with the Stags off rip to provide a much-needed presence in the key. Remains to be seen if he will be a scoring threat from the perimeter, but we've loved what we've seen from his touch around the basket and he seems to be a capable stationary playmaker from both the block and low post. Finding a good big with his upside and willingness to play his role is so valuable in today's landscape at the HS level and especially at the college level.     DMV Live   -One of my favorite prospects to watch in the country, Mancho leaves it all on the floor every time he plays basketball. He's a loud communicator both on the floor and on the bench, rebounds the ball at a high level, provides a sturdy post presence to throw the ball into on the offensive end and clog the paint on the defensive end, and his touch from the FT line and around the basket have made pretty sizable improvements. Mancho is a pretty dependable double-double guy without seeing a ton of actions run for him in the halfcourt, generating much of his offense off of his activity on the glass. Now standing at a legit 6'9, I expect college coaches to lock in on the rising junior.     DMV Live   -I've really liked the defensive growth that I've seen out of Carter since he transferred into PGCA from Cardozo last year. Coach Hawkins uses him as a switchable wing that can guard 1-4 in most situations, using his length and athleticism to bump his matchup off their driving lanes to the rim and cause havoc with deflections or blocks. The consistency is starting to lead to more production from the offensive end as well as he is beginning to hit perimeter shots at a consistent clip and get to the rim with relative ease. I'm forecasting a boon in his college interest because at a minimum, he has all the physical tools of a wing that can fit into almost any system.     MBCA   -Love the tools and upside from Barker, as he is already a chiseled 6'7 specimen that can impact the game with his physical play. What he lacks in ball skills at this point he makes up for in energy and a willingness to do whatever his coaches ask him to do on the floor. He's first to the floor, hits the glass hard, sets bone-crushing screens, and finishes plays above the rim. Excited to track his development this summer.     DMV Live   -Really excited to see Kacerauskas play again in person because of the offensive upside. The southpaw W/F tweener can shoot, pass, and handle the basketball while also displaying a soft touch in the paint. He's capable of running a PnR as a screener or ballhandler, can hit perimeter shots off the catch or off of movement, and has the IQ to understand when he needs to attack a hard closeout and get to the rim. His positional size and skillset give him a nice floor as a bonafide D1 prospect that should push his way to the MM level over the next year, with the potential to continue climbing.     DMV Live   -We will continue to beat the drum for Malonga because of the improved athleticism, physical tools, and a growing skillset. Standing at least 6'6/6'7 now, the son of two former pros (and the brother of a WNBA player) should take a big step this season for Mt Zion as an athletic wing that can fill up the stat sheet. He's a capable finisher above the rim, is developing a feel for when to attack closeouts and when to pop a jumper, and has tremendous defensive upside once he quickens up his foot speed. The upside should tantalize a few coaches into getting involved early for one of the highest upside prospects in the area.

The introduction of the Scholastic Live Periods has become a crucial element of modern day recruiting and here in the DMV there is no shortage of events (6 total) for college coaches to attend to find the next wave of talent. We thought it would be important to highlight a few prospects that our scouts think are primed for a breakout performance that should net some college interest. Let's dig into with the junior class in the DMV!