Unsigned seniors have made names for themselves at the Donofrio for decades and Perkins can now add himself to the list after his 37-point first round explosion in a decisive win. The southpaw wing isn’t a household name, having seen little varsity action before this year and then coming off the bench for Malvern as a senior. He’s always flashed intriguing talent, with explosive athleticism and smooth shotmaking ability from the perimeter, but this was the most he’s ever shown in terms of putting it all together into impactful production. The southpaw could be an intriguing late add for high-academic programs at a variety of levels or could make good use of a post-grad year as a younger senior with a lack of much in-game experience.

Donofrio always provides a stage for unsung players to make a name for themselves in a different role than they may play during the high school or AAU seasons, and Perkins took full advantage of the opportunity, erupting for 37 points as Blue Elite cruised past Just Clean It to advance to the second round. A reserve for Malvern during the winter, the southpaw was effective using his explosive athleticism to complement a team of prolific shooters. He was able to use his length and quickness to get into passing lanes and make plays toward the rim in transition, stuffing the stat sheet with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks while tossing in a pair of 3’s for good measure. Perkins could prove to be a steal for a high-academic small-college program or could be an interesting prep candidate as a younger senior with athletic upside and still relatively minimal game experience.

I liked what Perkins brought to this Malvern Prep team as a fluid-moving wing with length and floor-spacing ability. Perkins scored 15 points despite the loss to a tough Bullis team, but his three triples were extremely timely. His damage came off the catch in the corners and while the ball following the release is the definition of a line-drive, they were falling on Saturday and helped this Malvern Prep squad maintain striking distance throughout. Defensively he brings tools thanks to the length as he can contest shots on the perimeter. Things to improve moving forward is playing off closeouts and moving more fluidly in lateral situations. Perkins jumps off the page to me as a prospect who would benefit tremendously from a post-grad prep season.

Perkins has struggled carving out a role in Malvern’s rotation in the past but looks set for a potential breakout heading into his senior season. A fluid, rangy southpaw, he stands out with his length and athleticism on the wing while playing a complementary and opportunistic floor game on the margins. Perkins shines getting out in transition for explosive finishes but shows capability in the halfcourt as a spotup shooter, straight-line slasher, and heady cutting. He’ll have a chance to emerge onto college radars this winter with the possibility of a prep year opening up potential scholarship-level opportunities with a jump in his development.