Early 2026-26 DC Gatorade POY Candidates

We're inching closer to the month of September and before you know it, the season will be upon us. With that being the case, we'll start to roll out some preseason content while mixing in reports from events that take place in the meantime.   Don't forget to sign up for a couple upcoming events in the DMV area! The first is the <a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/2331/register/dmv-freshman-showcase">Freshman Showcase</a> taking place next weekend! The next is <a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/2365/register/the-expo-maryland">The Expo</a>, which is open to prospects of all high school classes.   Back to the topic at hand, which is previewing the candidates for this year's D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. Remember, this award is for prospects who play at a high school based in D.C., not to get them clumped in with Maryland.   For the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/early-2026-27-md-gatorade-poy-candidates/">Maryland candidates, click here!</a>   The favorite:    Condon's rise since April has been a fun watch. If you're a DMV native, the progression comes as no surprise given the strides and ability to adapt year-by-year with Sidwell in a more enhanced role, but his perimeter presence has emerged as one of the pillars of his game. That was the final piece in making him a true mismatch nightmare at the HS level and Condon shined brightly with [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo'] on the EYBL Circuit not only proving himself as a capable three-point threat, but one that defenses had to account for on every catch. He can still go back to his calling card of being a strong, physical presence on the block where he's viable to score over either shoulder, make reads to cutters in face-ups or position himself with leverage to collect offensive boards.   His leadership, vocally and by action, will be the reason Sidwell exceeds expectations this season. While their dominance of the MAC continued last season with another title, this year's team may not have the household names in the senior class that have helped take home the last two league championships. Condon has the ability and presence to fill those voids while putting up impressively efficient numbers. All are reason why I think he's the favorite for this award coming into the season.    The contedners:    The double-double machine that Taylor has created himself into will put him in any conversation when it comes to awards time. At 6'5"-6'6" he's one of the more vicious rebounders that I've seen at his size and by no means is he hesitant to rip misses down at their peak among bigs who are 6'10"-7'0" as we saw both last season with the Cadets and this summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo']. St. John's is positioned as a strong contender for the WCAC title after last year's overtime thriller against PVI where they came up short. Taylor's positional versatility, athleticism and impact around the rim will all be key in their pursuit. Despite the talent on this roster, we've seen Taylor explode for video game-like statistical performances and I'd expect more than just the occasional one to take place this season.     The other member of this St. John's group who will be firmly in the mix is Veney, a 6'4" combo guard who seems to be growing in confidence with his own strengths and learning how to consistently use them to shine. He's a bullish guard who can get downhill and bury his defender under the rim before finishing with touch. His decision making off the bounce as a passer, knocking down open three's when they present themselves and even orchestrating the offense himself are all areas that have improved over the last eight months. He's a guy who thrives in a system where he can use his instinctual timing as a cutter, his fundamentals in attacking closeouts/operating off triple threat, and reading the game within the offense flow.   Veney and Taylor will be the engine for St. John's this season. Both were outstanding in last year's title game and knowing how both are wired competitively, they're foaming at the mouth to get back to the stage and prove their worthy as champions.     Similar to MD, it isn't often that a non-senior takes this award, but if I had to bet on one to be in the mix for it, it's Mbuyamba. I think Gonzaga enters this season as a potential dark horse in the WCAC. While their roster is still filled with youth, that youth is experienced and showed some real promise last season in their first under head coach Keith Urgo. One of the consistent themes with the Eagles in 2025-26 was Mbuyamba's production inside. While he's slightly undersized as a big projecting to the next level, his instincts, ability create/maintain leverage and control the glass is something any high school program longs for in their 4/5 man. He has soft touch over either shoulder, can make plays from the high-post as a scorer or passer and provides the presence as an anchor defensively. He stacked double-doubles last season and now coming off a strong spring/summer on the E16 Circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'], I fully expect Mbuyamba to take that next step and lead Gonzaga to contention.

We're inching closer to the month of September and before you know it, the season will be upon us. With that being the case, we'll start to roll out some preseason content while mixing in reports from events that take place in the meantime.