Re-Ranking the 2017 Class (Part 1)
We’ve been thrown a curveball this summer. Due to social distancing guidelines, opportunities to comprehensively evaluate prospects in and around the DMV area have been few and far between. As a result, we will not be providing a mid-summer rankings update as we typically do.
But to be creative and keep content flowing consistently, the team is excited to take a look back at the 2017 and 2018 rankings. Our aim is to re-rank notable prospects in those respective classes based on their performances since high school and ultimately come up with a new top-30 for each.
Here we begin this series by taking a closer look at #26-30 from the new 2017 update.
#30 | Donnell Frayer Jr., 6’2″ CG | Landon | Original Rank: #63 | College: Claflin
Ayalew: Frayer was one of the more skilled guards to come out of the DMV in 2017, and he’s been a consistent producer at the next level. He efficiently averaged over 15 points per game during his sophomore year at Southern Vermont before transferring to Claflin where he became a key contributor to the team straight away. Expect Frayer to put up huge numbers throughout his upcoming senior campaign.
#29 | Terence Lewis II, 6’6″ F | National Christian | Original Rank: #46 | College: North Texas
Ayalew: Lewis is an incredibly gifted player who was very fun to watch in high school, not just because of his blend of size and athleticism but also because of the contagious energy he brings while on the court. While at New Mexico JuCo, he did nothing but impress, averaging 19 points and 9 rebounds per game while earning a multitude of offers to play at the next level before committing to North Texas. In a couple of years, we could be talking about Lewis as a massive steal for the Mean Green.
Congratulations to the New Mexico JC Thunderbirds, winners of the Lufkin Coca Cola Thanksgiving Classic tournament. The 'Birds' Terence Lewis was named Tournament MVP. Thanks to all the teams that participated for making this such a great event. @NMJCTbirds pic.twitter.com/2BBd8STAEv
— AC Athletics (@ACAthletics) December 1, 2019
#28 | Buzz Anthony, 5’11” PG | Spalding | Original Rank: #80 | College: Randolph Macon
Giacubeno: Anthony could’ve gone to a school of a higher division, but he’s become a household name in the Division III world. He was just voted to second-team All-American for the second-straight season. The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.7 rebounds.
#27 | Matthew Kelly, 5’10” PG | Quince Orchard | Original Rank: #59 | Current School: Assumption
Ayalew: Kelly closed out his distinguished high school career in style, leading QO to an improbable state runner-up finish in 2017 after knocking off a nationally-ranked Wise team in the state semifinals. At Assumption, he’s continued to stand out, averaging roughly 15 points per game across his first three years while shooting high percentages and adding adequate peripheral stats. Kelly’s outstanding performances in college have prompted discussions as to how he was overlooked during his high school days.
#26 | Eddie Scott, 6’6″ SF | Gonzaga | Original Rank: #11 | College: Penn
Wilson: Scott was a valuable role player for Gonzaga and played a huge part in the success the Purple Eagles had during his time there. Unfortunately, he missed more than half of his freshmen season at UPenn because of injury. His sophomore season he saw an uptick in minutes played and saw an improvement this past season where he played in 25 games and found himself starting in 11 of those games. Look for him to carry the momentum he had in his junior season to his senior season.
SOARING to the rim! Eddie Scott to push the 81-59 lead for Penn over Columbia #Whānau pic.twitter.com/mblEMbHvYl
— Penn Men's Basketball (@PennMBB) March 8, 2020