Governors Challenge: Emerging MD Underclassmen (Pt. 1)

The 2025 Governors Challenge is in the books and over the course of the next few days, the notebook will be emptied out as I took in over 65 games in the span of five days. There's plenty to get to, but this article will be part one of highlighting the emerging underclassmen from Maryland that we saw over the span of the event.    Echebi left arguably one of the bigger impressions on me during my time in Salisbury. The freshman forward has the look, production and potential upside of some former DMV high school prospects who are now playing at the highest levels in college. The early signs with Echebi bring optimism given his size, mobility and powerful athleticism around the rim at a young age. His motor runs high and every now and again, he'll flash some perimeter skill when the situation presents itself. For now, he's the paint presence for this Largo team that looks to make noise after claiming the Class 2A state title in 2025. They'll face much more of a challenge in completing the task this season, but the further they go, the more it bolsters Echebi's argument as being the top prospect in the MD/DC 2029 class. They'd finish 1-1 at Gov. Challenge as Echebi posted 19.5 points, 9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.     It was expected for the Lakers to take their punches this season given the youthful roster and while the wins aren't piling up, the development and promise for the future are bright. Whitaker is a big reason why and he showed with his dynamic scoring ability. The 5-foot-11 combo guard averaged 20.5 points , 3.5 rebounds and 2 steals per game and was brilliant in Boys' Latin's tight loss to La Salle Academy where he put up 25 points, grabbed five rebounds and accounted for 4 steals. He can get downhill and finish in transition, but also showed off some improved confidence from deep shooting 45.5 percent on 11 attempts. Expect Whitaker to receive a massive boost in the 2029 rankings update.     Moore was one of the more impressive 2028 prospects in attendance throughout the entire event. The 6-foot-1 guard is forming into a real primary scorer who can shoulder the role and lead McDonogh to wins. Moore really knows how to operate on an island and create space with an array of moves, but is quick with his attack in getting to spots. He has the balance and confidence to stop on a dime in transition from three or in the mid-range for pull-ups, breaks out some true craft with his finishes around the cup and has that innate ability to hit contested jumpers with time running down. McDonogh split their games with a win over Montverde CBD and losing a tight one against a good Haverford team 63-59. Moore averaged an impressive 22.5 points with his higher scoring game coming against Haverford where he went for 29.     Brown continues to string together his strong start to his sophomore campaign as Good Counsel ended their 2025 calendar year with a bracket championship after earning wins against Montverde CBD and Haverford. Brown was key in the first game to a tune of 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor, hauling in 4 rebounds and assisting on a couple of buckets. There's no question in his ability or confidence in creating opportunities for himself whether it comes in isolations or out of ball screens. Brown has a quick first step that allows him to establish advantages in gaps, can attack with either hand and continues to prove himself as a pull-up threat if the weakside rotations from the defense are sharp.     Another freshman that continues to demand attention is John Carroll guard David Mota. The first thing you notice with Mota is his fearlessness as a defender. He's willing to pressure the ball handler with full court pressure throughout the course of a game and embraces the challenge when matched up against high-level upperclassmen. Even if Mota gets shook with a crossover or his man converts a tough shot over his contested hand, it doesn't shake his approach the ensuing defensive possession. That speaks loudly for a freshman. Offensively he's valuable as a game manager who shows early instincts of dictating pace effectively. He can get into the paint with consistency and make the primary read with precision. He'll knock down a jumper with time and space off the catch, but his strength in scoring at this stage of his development is putting the ball on the deck and attacking the rim. Mota does a nice job of getting his within the flow.

The 2025 Governors Challenge is in the books and over the course of the next few days, the notebook will be emptied out as I took in over 65 games in the span of five days. There's plenty to get to, but this article will be part one of highlighting the emerging underclassmen from Maryland that we saw over the span of the event.