10 Best: 2021 Baltimore Shooters

For this series of ’10 Best’ articles, we’ll be taking a look at the 10 best players in the class of 2021 from different areas of the game. We’ll focus on prospects who either play their high school or AAU ball for a Baltimore based team and run down the list in alphabetical order. This list will be comprised of the best shot-makers. [player_tooltip player_id="712769" first="Jalen" last="Bryant"] | 5’11 | John Carroll Bryant had a breakout season as a junior posting consistent outings and helping turn the John Carroll program back into a winning one. His ability to make shots from well beyond the three-point line fit into their offensive system perfectly. The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 17 points per game and make up for his lack of height with the quick release on his jumper. The hitch that was once seen in his release is now becoming much smoother. He doesn’t get a ton of lift on his shot, but again, uses that quick trigger to get it off against long defenders. [player_tooltip player_id="902001" first="Ryan" last="Conway"] | 6’1 | Dulaney Conway has been known as a shot maker since he stepped foot on the hardwood as a freshman. The Seton Hall commit can do damage from all three levels, but will fill it up in a hurry from mid-range or three. He can do so off the dribble or off the catch and can step out well beyond the arc if needed. Evan Flaks | 5’10 | Pikesville Flaks is a 5-foot-10 point guard who is being courted by many high academic Division III programs and his ability to stretch the floor is a big reason why. He’s another player on this list that can make shots off the bounce or off the catch. His mid-range shots mainly come off operating in ball screen scenarios where he keeps good pace, body control and remains strong with the fundamentals of his release. [player_tooltip player_id="902088" first="Jaiden" last="Jakubowski"] | 6’2 | John Carroll In terms of pure shooting, Jakubowski may be the top guy on this list. He’s strictly a catch-and-shoot guy who will make defenses pay on kick-out passes from teammates or coming off pin down screens. One thing I love about Jakubowski’s approach is his ability to catch the ball at chest level and get right into his shot. Many players like to bring the ball down by their waist to gather themselves, but similar to what you see in Klay Thompson’s release, Jakubowski doesn’t waste time doing so. It’s a trait that will translate well to the collegiate level. [player_tooltip player_id="775332" first="Nick" last="Marshall"] | 6’4 | River Hill Marshall is another guy who has always been known as a shot-maker. He can mix it up well from mid-range or three, but can really get going off the catch from beyond the arc. He does a nice job of finding openings and moving without the ball, maintaining good footwork and making shots with minimal space between himself and the defender. [player_tooltip player_id="836491" first="Khyrie" last="Staten"] | 6’2 | St. Frances Staten proved all season long that he’s a sniper from three. Playing off of Ace Baldwin’s (VCU) play making, Staten would hold his own target practice after finding the open windows of a defense on the perimeter. He also understands how to attack wild close outs, use one or two dribbles to get to the elbow or high-post area and knock down mid-range pull ups with excellent body control. [player_tooltip player_id="954213" first="D’Angelo" last="Stines"] | 6’2 | Mount St. Joseph If you didn’t know Stines before the 2019-20 season, chances are you know him now. A 6-foot-2 combo guard who really came on strong towards the end of the season, Stines was a certified bucket from all three levels. He can knock down catch-and-shoot three’s by the boatload, operate in ball screen action and convert on mid-range or break down his defender in isolation. The aspect that coaches and scouts like most about Stines is his shot chart and the efficiency in which he shoots those shots. Will Spencer | 6’3 | Boy’s Latin Spencer is an undersized forward who provides spacing to the floor with his long-range shooting. The younger brother of Pat and Cam (Loyola MD), making shots from three flows through the family’s blood. Spencer is no different except for the fact that he gets his shots as the pop guy after setting a ball screen or capitalizing after a teammate kicks out on penetration. [player_tooltip player_id="836490" first="Koralp" last="Turk"] | 6’7 | Mount Carmel Turk is a stretch forward who supplies size and outside shooting. I can’t help but see a similar approach to Kevin Love’s game once he made the move to Cleveland in Turk. He operates a ton as the pop guy in ball screens with his talented point guard in [player_tooltip player_id="904628" first="Deon" last="Perry"]. Turk can catch and quickly get into his shot from three where he is efficient. He also hangs out around the baseline 10-to-15 feet from the basket and converts on mid-range shots on passes from penetrating guards. [player_tooltip player_id="902041" first="Ramon" last="Villanueva"] | 6’5 | Sparrows Point Villanueva is a high-IQ player who is featured as an undersized forward at Sparrows Point. He understands the game at a high level and can make shots on an efficient clip. He’s deadly from the high or pinch post area, but can also get going quickly from three once he sees one fall. Villanueva has to make a lot of things happen for his team as a playmaker. If he had some viable guys around him who could free up shots on occasion, you’d be able to see just how efficient of a shooter he can be. Projecting to how he’ll translate in college, I’m confident that a plethora of Division III’s will be on him heavily.