Previous Rank: 169

-Every team needs a Lawson Bancroft Lawson Bancroft 6'4" | SF McDonogh | 2027 State MD on the roster to make plays at both ends of the floor that add up to winning. Whether it’s blocking the shot of taller bigs in the paint, providing good help on the perimeter in ball screens, taking a charge in transition, hitting putbacks or grabbing key offensive rebounds for his team– Bancroft is willing to do whatever it takes to win. His physicality at both ends of the floor really sets the tone for his team as the chosen enforcer for his group.

-Bancroft is an absolute delight to watch out on the floor if you love physical defenders on the back line that take pride in blowing up opposing offenses with their attention to detail. Bancroft has the brawn to push bigs off their spot on the low block, shades guards effectively towards the sideline, and is very difficult to screen because of the way that he swims over picks with his leg to take away options from his opponent. Bancroft’s impact was perfectly encapsulated when he re-entered the game with a few minutes remaining in the 1H. He blocked a shot, scored off of two putbacks under the rim, threw a beautiful outlet pass that led to a bucket, and ran the floor exceptionally well for his team. With a trio of consistent scorers around him, I would not be surprised to see him swing a game or two for a young but tough McDonogh team that should take a bite out of the top of the MIAA.

Bancroft is a forward in the 2027 class who made winning plays on both ends but doesn’t need the ball to be effective. On defensive Bancroft protects the paint and rebounds extremely well, always looking to move the ball up the floor and trigger transition opportunities. Offensively, Bancroft uses his size to get easy looks down low, but what impressed me most was his jumpshot, as he spotted up from both outside the arc and in the midrange to get some easy catch-and-shoot looks.