MIAA A Conference Preview: Player of the Year Candidates
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We are now less than a week away from the MIAA A Conference officially tipping off. As we continue to preview the league, we’ll move onto looking at the prospects who could be considered for Player of the Year. There’s…
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Continue ReadingWe are now less than a week away from the MIAA A Conference officially tipping off. As we continue to preview the league, we’ll move onto looking at the prospects who could be considered for Player of the Year. There’s always a chance of a player not including on this list breaking out and making an argument for himself, but heading into the shortened schedule, these are the players I predict will have the best chance.
Julian Reese Julian Reese 6'8" | C St. Frances | 2021 State #109 Nation MD | 6’9 | St. Frances
Reese will have the opportunity to average a double-double and hover around 3-to-5 blocked shots per game. The Maryland commit has logged a number of impressive outings this winter and should that confidence should translate to official games. Since last season, Reese had added to his offensive repertoire by polishing his outside jumper. He’s a pick-and-pop threat who can create mismatches in the frontcourt. The Panthers have a number of guards who can get into the paint and Reese is usually on the receiving end of dump off passes that he finishes strong over the rim. His overall impact on the game and the Panthers being somewhere in the top of the standings will have his name in strong consideration for this award.
D’Angelo Stines D’Angelo Stines 6'2" | CG Mount St. Joseph | 2021 State MD | 6’3 | Mount St. Joe
Stines is coming off his breakout junior season where he built the reputation of making big time plays in postseason games that helped the Gaels capture last year’s MIAA crown. The Old Dominion commit is a three-level scorer who will see his volume of shots increase this season as he’ll be leaned on as the primary scoring option. Stines is more than just a scorer, he can guard multiple position defensively and has good basketball IQ when the ball is in his hands. Every season people seem to think that Mount St. Joe will take a step back, but Stines will have the Gaels fully entrenched in competing for the top spot, which will boost his POY argument.
Cameron Whitmore Cameron Whitmore 6'7" | PF Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State #30 Nation MD | 6’7 | Archbishop Spalding
It’s no secret that Whitmore is arguably the best long-term prospect in Baltimore. His blend of skill, athleticism and size make him a nightmare for opposing teams to contain. Late last season he asserted his dominance and helped the Cavaliers upset the No. 1 ranked Gilman team in the opening round of bracket play. Whitmore showed signs of further development this summer and is becoming a threat from anywhere on the floor. Spalding has a chance to ride momentum from last year with a slew of guys who gained valuable experience and push the likes of St. Frances and Mount St. Joe.
Khyrie Staten Khyrie Staten 6'2" | CG St. Frances | 2021 State MD | 6’2 | St. Frances
Staten is another Baltimore prospect who used his junior season to build a name for himself. He generated it into a couple of Division I offers and ended up committing to Delaware State. Staten is the ultimate competitior who makes an impact on both ends of the floor. He can snipe from deep, finish strong around the rim and understands how to get teammates open for looks. Defensively he takes pride in making his matchup’s life hectic for 32 minutes. His quick hands are showcased while playing both on or off the ball and he’s more than willing to take a charge or dive on the floor for 50/50’s. The Panthers are equipped with a handful of guys who can put the ball in the basket regularly, but don’t be surprised if Staten has a few explosive scoring outings throughout their schedule.
Tyson Commander Tyson Commander 6'4" | SG The John Carroll School | 2022 State #203 Nation MD | 6’4 | John Carroll
John Carroll had one of the more impressive turnarounds in recent memory last year in large part because of what Commander brings as a scorer. Both he and senior guard Jalen Bryant Jalen Bryant 5'11" | PG John Carroll | 2021 State MD have the chance to go for 20 points whenever they step on the floor. Commander is known for his shooting ability and range out to the volleyball line, but what teams will see this season is he has ability to play off the bounce. With improved athleticism, he can get into the paint and finish creatively around the rim. In the open floor he’s a threat for poster dunks as he showed last season. The Patriots play a fun style in that they get up and down, shoot a lot of three’s and seem to have good chemistry as I saw recently at their practice. They return much of their production from last season, which means I expect them to be in the group of four teams at the top of the standings when the dust settles.