Maryland/DC Summer Stock Risers: 2023 Wings/Forwards
We’ve wrapped up what has been the most unprecedented summer in AAU basketball history as COVID-19 prohibited any live evaluations periods to occur. Nevertheless, programs and facilities worked together in order to give players a platform as college coaches watched…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve wrapped up what has been the most unprecedented summer in AAU basketball history as COVID-19 prohibited any live evaluations periods to occur. Nevertheless, programs and facilities worked together in order to give players a platform as college coaches watched via live stream. Before May, the chances of having any basketball this summer were very slim, but fortunately that wasn’t the case and players were able to boost their stock along the way.
For this series, we’ll be taking a look at stock risers from the area in various classes.
For the 2023 guards, click here.
Now we move to the 2023 wings/forwards.
Shawn Simmons | 6’6 | Friends’ Central/Team Durant
You’ll notice a few players from Team Durant included on this list and all rightfully belong. Simmons name caught fire after attending the Crossroads Elite Invitational where he was in front of many national scouts. He left an imprint with his explosive athleticism for his height and age along with his long-term potential to be a highly-coveted prospect. Simmons is an excellent finisher around or above the rim and has improved his game from mid-range as well. His play screams versatility and in today’s game, ability to play multiple positions is becoming vital. Georgetown, La Salle, Saint Joseph’s, Temple and Pittsburgh have all offered the Philadelphia native.
Kwame Evans Kwame Evans 6'9" | SF Montverde | 2023 State #20 Nation FL | 6’8 | Poly/Team Durant
Evans has officially burst onto the national scene and should continue to trend upwards after landing his first blueblood offer from Kansas after his showing at the Crossroads Elite Invitational. It’s so easy to be enamored with his elite length, 6-foot-8 frame and guard skill set as he’s a sniper from three and is improving his off the dribble game. Evans fits the trend of today’s game as we are seeing more and more of 6-foot-8+ players approaching the game more like guards at every level. More importantly, Evans has an underrated basketball IQ as a decision-maker. The potential is evident. He’s just starting to tap into it as we approach the fall of his sophomore season. It’ll be fun to watch him develop. Aside from the Jayhawks, Evans holds offers from Auburn, DePaul, Georgetown, George Washington, Howard, LSU, Maryland, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, St. John’s, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and Xavier.
Amani Hansberry Amani Hansberry 6'7" | C Mount St. Joseph | 2023 State #52 Nation MD | 6’7 | St. John’s (DC)/Team Durant
Hansberry impressed throughout his freshman campaign with a solid St. John’s team in the WCAC where he went up against a number of nationally ranked frontcourt prospects. The 6-foot-7 forward is no stranger to physicality and continues to add strength as his body matures. He has an old school approach as a big who operates effectively on the block with his back to the basket where he either bullies his defender under the rim or uses soft touch on his over the shoulder hook shots for easy buckets. There were stints where developed versatility came to light as Hansberry would switch onto smaller, quicker players defensively and hold his own. He can control the game from his rebounding presence and brings the energy and intensity coaches love to see from their bigs. DePaul, Howard, LSU, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Rhode Island and Virginia Tech have all offered.
Malik Bowman Malik Bowman 6'7" | PF Bishop Walsh | 2023 MD | 6’8 | Bishop Walsh/Prospect U
Bowman is a prospect that I’ll be monitoring closely as his high school career progresses. At 6-foot-8, the southpaw has a very smooth offensive game. He operates best in face-up scenarios in the mid-post where he can knock down jumpers, sweep through hard and attack the rim or find open shooters around the perimeter with his court vision. There seemed to be a concentrated effort to have Bowman play more on the perimeter throughout the summer and become more aggressive as a scorer. His length comes in handy disrupting shots in the paint defensively and securing rebounds. Bowman is another young DMV prospect who fits well in today’s image of a wing/forward. Bowman holds offers from Bryant, Georgetown, Witchita State and Virginia Tech.
Marcel Gardner Marcel Gardner 6'9" | C St. Andrew's | 2023 State MD | 6’8 | St. Andrew’s (MD)/New World
Gardner is another prospect who gave plenty of reason to hang significant weight on his potential following his freshman season. He stands 6-foot-8 and possesses tremendous length. Gardner runs the floor with intent on catching and finishing above the rim as he also presents impressive athleticism. He continues to grow and get comfortable with his body, and we witnessed that during his play in the I-95 league with New World. While he’s an efficient option from 10 feet and in, Gardner stepped out beyond the arc and showed off his improved range. As that shot improves, he’ll be a match up nightmare for opposing teams.