7p 9r 1a 1s 2b vs Montgomery Blair

-Osafo is far from a finished product but the big dog has added good weight to his frame that allows him to carve out space much more effectively in the paint. His touch from the FT line and around the rim was still a bit rusty as it was one of his first games back in the lineup, but he created a ton of extra opportunities for his team with 7 offensive rebounds in the game– most of which came in traffic. The senior hit two big FTs late to cut the Blair lead down to 1 with under a minute left and the second chance opportunities generated by his rebounding were crucial in a game that came down to the wire.

Gilbert is coming off a ton of momentum stemming from last season’s deep championship run with Laurel HS. Followed up with a solid summer with DC Premier and has a chance to solidify his name in the area. Gilbert uses his athleticism and big frame very well on the defensive side, impriving on his IQ and discipline. His perimeter game is slowly becoming more reliable, able to operate outside of the paint and face up. Willing to put the ball down and get to the cup to score, bit Osafo’s bread and butter will be his effectiveness on the defensive side and on the glass. First got onto our radar with his hustle and intangibles. Ready to see how his game has evolved as he has his best chance for a big season. Will have a bigger hand in the offense this year if he can seize the opportunity.

-Really loved the productivity and upside with Osafo last summer on the circuit and he carried that momentum into the state championship game with Laurel. A physical big that can block shots and score in traffic around the basket, he’s starting to put the ball on the floor much more efficiently on his drives to the rim and his touch continues to improve. Looking forward to seeing if his game translates more towards the perimeter over the next season for an inside/out dynamic or if the goal is to be a dominant interior force.

Aggressive young big with strong hands, runs the floor well, a powerful finisher, quick off the floor, a paint presence, and able to clean the glass consistently on both ends. Active shot blocker using his length and size to dominate play down low. Plays the high/low game very well. Moves well. Gets off his feet well. Intriguing long prospect. Also showed a nice touch on the free throw line.

-Osafo popped on our radar this summer with DC Premier and impressed us as a young big with upside. Standing at 6’7 already despite being pretty young for his class, Osafo works hard in the paint as a low post scorer, rebounder, and defender. His face up game from the midrange has developed nicely and will eventually extend to him being a decent pick n pop target as he develops consistency in his shooting form. Expect Osafo to be a breakout performer for Laurel in PG County this season