2029 Update: Top 10 Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code Proia30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We updated our rankings for the freshman class today (<a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/updated-2029-maryland-rankings/">found here</a>) for Washington DC and Maryland. This update debuted 35 new prospects in the 2029 class that have really stood out to our scouts in the first few months of the season as key producers on varsity and JV. Here, we will break down our top 10. Let's jump in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2767938"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69713afa3f020"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Costley holds down the #1 spot in our rankings as he has continued to show his 2-way impact as a starter for a very good Springdale Prep team that has scored some nice wins this season. Costley vacillates well between on and off-ball as a guard whose size and varied skillset allows Springdale Prep a ton of roster flexibility. His ability to plug n play as a creator, scorer, defender, and connector from the wing make him our top guy in this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2536485"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69713afa3f146"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Production is catching up to the upside for Big Nas as he is showing what he can do as more of a focal point to stablize Clinton Grace's offense. His soft hands and strong frame make him a menace to box out and defend around the basket, those hands also allow him to make some tough post entry catches in traffic through double teams or tight passing windows. The conditioning continues to improve and allows him to play in longer spurts for a Clinton Grace group that likes to get up and down the floor quickly in transition. His ability to guard in space and knock down FTs to take advantage of his foul-drawing ability around the rim will be the next stage in his development. But we love where he's at as one of the younger prospects in his local class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2800822"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69713afa3f233"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Echebi makes the move up to 3 as one of the more consistent high-level freshman producers in the area. He's shown that he can be a dynamic play-finisher around the rim and the handle has improved to take advantage of long strides in the paint to cover ground quickly. An improved shooting stroke from the perimeter adds another dimension to his game that should prove immensely valuable over time as he continues to grow taller. Hard to overlook or understate the impact that he has on a very young Largo team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2974116"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69713afa3f345"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Our scouts love Schneeburg's utility as a guard prospect that can play on the ball or off, making good decisions attacking closeouts from the wings or as an off-ball cutter that finds open spots in vulnerable pockets of the defense. I wouldn't call Schneeberg overly fast or a dynamic athlete quite yet, but I love the pace that he plays with the ball in his hands-- probing the defense to take advantage of ball screens or late rotations to get to his spots in the halfcourt. With some injuries in the backcourt that should create some trial by fire growth opportunities for the freshman over the next week or so, we're excited to see how he capitalizes in his games this week!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2981285"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697142bc94f60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Zaid is one of the biggest movers of the cycle within our top 50, moving up 10 spots to break into our top 5. The physical guard has really left an impression on our scouts as an absolute bulldog on both sides of the ball that leaves a consistent impact on the game. There isn't a lot of extra to his game, Zaid gets to his spots quickly and efficiently while playing within himself-- a sign of his advanced maturity and feel. He's been a consistent producer as a freshman starter within a Landon rotation that has played some really good teams tough for the first 3 quarters or so. We look forward to monitoring his game and his team as they look to close out some of those big local wins that will put their team emphatically on the map within the DMV basketball scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3072084"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697142bc94fd4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-The physical W/F tweener has really put up steady numbers against the best of the BCL teams so far this season to stand out as a name to lock in on in 2029. Rhodes uses a strong frame to jostle for rebounding position in the paint and score through contact, often scoring over/through bigs that have a few inches of height on him. The midrange jumper has proved as a potent antidote for defenders that play his driving lanes and give him too much space on catches from the high post. He's been one of the biggest reasons that McDonogh has began to make some waves in the MIAA as a scrappy young team that will make you earn everything over 32 minutes of game time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2894300"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697142bc9504e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-The physical wing prospect has carved out a nice niche in the MSJ rotation in the early part of the season as a high-IQ connector that gives his team some nice roster flexibility. Word can knock down open shots and is a great passer from the wings/high post that shows a nice inherent feel for where the ball needs to go. His footwork and positional size allow him to score at a higher level in the paint than most freshman because of how well he uses his upper body to carve out space around the basket. Improvements to his conditioning and footspeed to allow him to play for longer stretches at both ends of the floor will go a long way in helping him reach his ceiling. But carving out a role this big and this consistent for a Coach Clatchey MSJ system speaks volumes to his upside, as it is no cake walk to break through that usually-deep rotation as a young prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2972824"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697142bc950a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Nuñez has performed well in his opportunities as a rotational piece for an experienced and deep MZN roster that has played in some big games this season. His ability to guard multiple spots by using his height and physical tools makes him valuable to this group. His ball skills continue to develop as a ball-handler and shot-maker from the perimeter, giving us a healthy dose on optimism for his long-term projection as a dynamic 2-way wing that has a chance to be a national name. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2974117"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697142bc9511b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Higganbotham moves up into our top 10 after several impactful 2-way performances for a Purple Eagles group that has put the area on notice with a 15-5 start to the year. Love his feel as a play-maker for his team in the halfcourt and transition that always keeps his head up to see potential passing options. He has also been productive when calling his own number, scoring the ball well from 18' and in as a cat-quick guard that gets to the rim and FT line at a good clip for a prospect in this stage. His team will have two big tests in the next week, with games against the WCAC's top 2 seeds with a road game against PVI and a home game against DC Rival St. John's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2546066"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697142bc9516e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Williams moved up two spots to round out our Top 10 as a physical wing prospect that has earned a consistent role for St Frances. Our scouts have come away impressed with Williams' burst with the ball in his hands, carving out space with his shoulders on drives to the rim or weaving around defenders with spin moves to show the improved finesse. His jumper has been consistent off the catch, but he still has a way to go for self-created jumpers off the bounce within the scope of the Panthers' offense. His 2-way production and potential should make him a valuable piece on Chase Street for the years to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->