DMV Hoop Madness: 2028 Eye-catchers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DMV Hoop Madness brought teams from up and down the east coast to the Baltimore area for a loaded two-day slate of games. After taking in all of the action on Saturday, we came away impressed with a handful of prospects from the class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2982719"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3783817,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abc96bb95819"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more talented swingmen in the country and a contender for the top overall spot in the 2028 class, Hamilton had his considerable talent on full display while showing some really positive early developments from his short time so far at Montverde. The native of Canada put on a loud but efficient performance in an opening win over Mt. Zion Prep (MD), playing within himself while showcasing his effortless stroke from beyond the arc and explosive athleticism as a finisher near the rim. Hamilton has been prone to forcing tough looks in the past and it was great to see him fit in so seamlessly while adjusting to a new environment with the most talent he's ever had alongside him. As long as he continues to streamline his approach on both ends of the floor, Hamilton should remain in the thick of conversations for the top spot in his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2364701"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abc96bb9586e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A downstate Delaware native returning to the region after a year at DME Academy (FL), Matthews is leading a revamped Mt. Zion lineup and was effective in both games on Saturday with his extensive physical gifts and evolving offensive skillset. Known initially for his motor and athleticism, Matthews certainly showed off his bread and butter with a series of tough finishes around the basket. Where he showed the most notable signs of continued growth was with his confidence and efficiency as a jump shooter, both off the catch from the perimeter and as a faceup scorer from the midrange. Matthews also shows some sneaky passing ability once the defense keys in on him. Overall the southpaw is among the more physically gifted forwards in the region with his burgeoning skill starting to elevate him onto high-major radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2453417"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abc96bb958a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Washington didn't need to score in double figures in a win over PA state champion Central Dauphin but nonetheless dominated the game for extended stretches with his complete control of the point of attack at both ends. The jet-quick floor general got wherever he wanted off the dribble and threw several of what were easily the best dimes we saw all day, showing an added level of maturity with his pace and decisionamking in the lane. His presence was also felt, as always, on the other end of the floor, where Washington may truly have the quickest hands and feet of any on-ball defender in the country. There's still room for Washington to elevate even further with added efficiency as a jump shooter but his consistent ability to impose his strengths onto the flow of a game should make him one of the more highly soughht after guards in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2831930"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abc96bb958d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chaplin may not have been called on for a ton of production but nonetheless thrived in his minutes while continuing to get comfortable in his new locale at Mt. Zion. A repeat junior via Concordia Prep (MD), Chaplin is having to adjust to playing against competition that can more consistently match up with him physically and athletically but looked increasingly comfortable as Mt. Zion pulled away from the Skyline Boys of Florida. The rangy hybrid forward brought great energy in the floor game as an athletic finisher around the rim and versatile defender. He shows glimpses of being able to develop into a true wing over time with fluid movement patterns and a stable foundation as a standstill shooter from the perimeter. It figures to be a season of steady growth for Chaplin in a confined role but the finished product could wind up looking really interesting by the time he puts all the pieces together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3782782"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abc96bb958fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite a low amount of roster turnover for Gonzaga from last year to this year, Jones looks ripe to step up in a big way from a seldom-used reserve to a consistently impactful member of the rotation. Jones stood out on Saturday with his size and steadiness in the backcourt, showing a sturdy frame and strong handle as a bigger guard with nice poise operating on or off the ball. The southpaw made some heady passes while keeping the ball moving consistently to ensure the offense remained on schedule. His impact may not have been the loudest but Jones' ability at his size to play mistake-free basketball as a budding lead guard should give him a chance to play onto scholarship-level radars over the next two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->