I alluded to this in my top-10 write up, but Tchoubfong is a unique prospect in this pool of players with his blend of size, strength and skill. He can create space to get his shot off seemingly whenever he needs to and while the efficiency aspect could use some work, the manner is which he goes about his business looks more like a rising senior than a rising sophomore. His showing throughout DMV Live where he averaged 16.6PPG, 7.4RPG and 1.3APG gives you an idea of his ability as he steps into a primary role for Good Counsel this season.

Tchoubfong is a physical specimen at 6’5″ with the frame that would lead you to believe he’d have great success on the gridiron. Let’s not be mistaken though, basketball is his only sport and he thrives at using his frame to bully matchups whenever they cannot match his measurables. He’ll be the cow bell for Good Counsel this season despite just being a sophomore and showed he was capable of accepting the lead role averaging 16.6PPG, 7.4RPG and 1.3APG in DMV Live play. He rounds out our top five prospects with plenty still left in the tank in terms of upside.

18p 12r 2a 1b vs Takoma; 27p 10r 1a 2s vs Bullis

-Tchoubfong was probably the most impressive performer and biggest stockriser this week as a 2/3 tweener that impacts the game at both ends of the floor. He’s made significant improvements to his handle to become both a better slasher and a better passer off a live dribble from the top of the key. The consistency in his release and work off the floor has built him into a legitimate C+S threat from the perimeter to raise his ceiling as a prospect. Love that–despite the improvements to his perimeter game– he still uses his size to hit the glass heavily at both ends of the floor. Should be due for a sizable leap in our next rankings update.

15p 3r 1a 3s vs Walter Johnson

-The skillbase is coming along nicely for Tchoubfong as he shot the ball at a high clip (50/65/100 shooting splits) in a nice win to advance to the semifinals. Tchoubfong knocked down perimeter jumpers off the catch, used a strong frame to bully his way to the rim, and was a disruptive force for the Falcons at the defensive end of the floor. The handle has improved to take advantage of some nice burst as a prospect that should step into a much bigger role this season with GC as a guard prospect with a nice long-term ceiling.

-A stockriser in our last two updates, I expect Tchoubfong to only continue that ascension in our rankings as a physical 2-way wing that really stood out for Durant in a hotly-contested win against Team Canada. Tchoubfong probably finished with a double-double in the matchup if I had statted the game, showing not only a great motor but great instincts especially on the offensive glass to create extra possessions for his team. His handle only continues to improve to accentuate the physicality of his downhill drives as Tchoubfong continually put pressure on the rim as a slasher. He scored on several putbacks, was a switchable defender that gave Durant some lineup flexibility, drove the ball C2C to score on face-up’s or score with his back to the basket, and served as an effective connector on the wing or off the bounce as an unselfish passer.

Tchoubfong is a heck of a physical presence on the wing that can slide to either the 4 or 5 position as well and battle with guys who stand 4-to-5 inches taller with his strength and understanding of leverage. The jump shot was hit or miss, but when Tchoubfong established a driving lane, there were few defenders that could step in his way and absorb his contact while remaining in legal guarding position. Plenty of improvement here with one of the more underrated freshman who is primed for a big spring/summer.

Zach has had a strong season for a freshman. His ability to earn meaningful minutes on a talented WCAC team says a lot. He plays with toughness and physicality, battles for positioning inside, and rebounds efficiently even against older, stronger players. Zach also makes his presence felt by finishing well through contact and pressure inside the paint, not shying away from the moment or the traffic. He knocks down open looks from 3 when defenses leave him, which makes him even more valuable because he isn’t just an energy piece. Zechariah has shown he can contribute in a real role, and that early impact is a big reason his stock and performance has been trending upward.

Tchoubfong offers a lot of promise with the blend of size, skill and physical frame that he’s shown so far as a freshman. He plays on the wing and has been an impact playing off the catch attacking closeouts where he can get to the paint and play off two with patience. There have been instances where he leads in grab-and-go situations or in quick isolation opportunities that allows him to show off some skill and wiggle as well. He brings a competitive motor, versatile tools defensively and judging by the success of his older brother, Izzy, has a pathway to have a productive career at Good Counsel.