Supersized Super Stars Making Big Impacts

DMV’s two NIKE programs Team Melo and Team Takeover have each secured one of the area’s premier big men in the class of 2021;  a pair of 6’9s in Victory Naboya (TTO) and Adam Walden (MELO). 

Let’s meet the DMVs new twin towers!

Victory Naboya arrived on scene and made an immediate impression; his end to end speed and tremendous athletic ability alone put him in a class by himself – his package is truly a rarity for a player at this stage. He's a bit stuck between the four and five spots standing between 6'8 and 6-9 with long arms.  A raw specimen offensively he isn’t yet working with a high level of skill yet he is amazingly efficient and highly productive.  

Noboya is already playing well above the rim with ease, shows excellent timing resulting in him being an exceptional shot blocker and alters many other shots he doesn’t actually get to.  What you will see very soon is a player who will be looking to tear down the rim every time he touches the ball inside.  We liken Noboya to a young J.J. Hickson because of his ability to control both backboards, finish in transition, and provide energy plays that get his team going.

Victory has the frame of a college freshman already and when combined with his athleticism and motor it makes him one of the most intriguing prospects that we have seen in the DMV in a longtime; from an evaluation standpoint it is extremely easy to state that once his feel for the game and skill-level improves, he has a realistic chance to establish himself as one of the best big men not only in the DMV but in the country – his is the definition of a high floor high ceiling player.

 

 

 

Adam Walden long-term potential is obvious. With his tremendous size, frame, length and mobility, his elite physical tools put him in the same class as Noboya but for a different reason power – think Derrick Favors in this instance.   

Physically gifted, Walden’s combination of size, power, mobility, athleticism and explosiveness is unparalleled at the middle school level.  He too is a work in progress offensively but it’s clear to see already that with his particular set of physical tools he will consistently be able to finish with authority whether the rim and paint is protected or left open. 

Due to his upward explosiveness and size, guards just need to lob the ball around the cylinder and he can go up and get it without a running start. Adam has a soft overall feel for the rim from about 8 feet out in all directions.  He is also very good at finishing non-dunks around the bucket. A dominant rebounder and Adam is extremely active and effective on glass combine that with an exceptional ability to run the floor for his size he is a player that knows who and what he is and he embraces it; at 6’8/6’9 Walden is also a timely and active shot blocker who patrols the paint with secret service like protection; he contest shots, rebounds in and out of his area and can single handily control the game in those two areas.   When his offense catches up with his defense and rebounding it could be a scary proposition as this is one of the younger 2021 who looks like he easily could reach the 7’0 plateau.  

 

On the high school side Walden is rumored to have cut his list to two schools Mt. St. Joe’s and Calvert Hall with the Cardinals looking to hold the early edge.

Patrick Ngongba Part II Now Playing in the DMV - Get Your Popcorn Ready

Patrick Ngongba Jr. (2024) has the size, skill and pedigree and that combination places his immediately into the national conversation as so many DMV players before him.  Patrick’s dad stands 6’8 and starred at George Washington University with another local star Shawnta Rogers (Baltimore) and then played briefly overseas.  His mother, well she is “only” 6’4; any questions so far?

Jalen Curtis One of the Best Long Term Investments in the DMV

Jalen Curtis we strongly believe will max out in the 6’6/6’7 range; his development is aided heavily by Curtis knowing what he is and isn’t on the floor.  We evaluate Jalen with the ceiling not the floor in mind, looking at his long range development begins with charting his trajectory over several years – given that it can easily be stated that by the time his class graduates

DMV 2021 PLAYER RANKINGS (2016)

1	Zion Harmon, PG, 5'10, TBD
2	Victory Naboya, F, 6'8, Team Takeover
3	Adam Walden, C, 6'8, Team Melo
4	Ryan Conway, PG, 6'1, TBD
5	Jaki Sealy, G, 6'4, Team Takeover
6	Julius Ellerbe, F, 6'5, New World

2020 Star Power Ensure a Bright Future for the DMV - The Area is in Great Hands

WASHINGTON, DC - Gonzaga’s Terrance Williams and Dematha’s Hunter Dickinson each scored 18 points with each adding ten rebounds to help propel Team Uptown in the annual Coach Francis Classic.
 

Standing 7 feet, Dematha’s Hunter Dickinson was the tallest player participating in the annual Coach Francis Classic.  

Premier Player Mike Sumner Adds to Already Impressive Resume

Michael Sumner is a young man who thrives on competition as he brings it every time he steps onto the court. Sumner has added some serious explosion to his game and capable of scoring almost at anytime from anywhere on the floor and he has the confidence to back it up. He is finishing with authority at the rim off the deck and off the alley.  

They call him “Valentine’s Day” 'Cause he takes the Oppositions Heart

Anthony “Ace” Valentine is perhaps one the best natural athletes in the class 2023; an AAU National Champion and record holder in track - He is definitely one of the most athletic point guard in the class. He is in the conversation as the fastest guard in America from end line to end line with the ball. 

Earl Timberlake's Game Got Baking Soda - He Got Baking Soda

Like a box of baking soda Earl Timberlake's game has many uses - at times Earl Timberlake can look like a man among boys; when he is forcing the action with the ball in his hands in space or pick-in-roll situations he virtually unstoppable on every possession. He is easily one of the most versatile players in the 2020 class – some may have a more polished offensive game; but not many affect the game the way Timberlake does.

Julius Ellerbe Bonafide Talent on the Verge of Stardom

We had our first opportunity to intently study the game of 6’5 Julius Ellerbe and its clear the talent is off the charts; he is a natural small forward because his skill level and ability to stroke the outside shot with a quick release. He has size and strength and when locked in killer instinct. 

This long and lean forward has the ability to stuff the stat sheet all day long. He can rebound and go coast to coast or lead the break where he makes good decisions at time but at others he takes chances and seems to be driven by the highlight play verses the easy play but my goodness, when he is want to he can passes like a seasoned next level guard. 

We watched him sprint the wing or middle in transition where he can finish above the rim or shoot the three. He is a true triple threat player (pass, dribble and shoot). From the wing he can drive both ways and does a great job of moving the defense with a ball fake before he starts a drive. We like the lift on and smoothness of his pull up jumper - he elevates over defenders displaying his high release and excellent follow through. He shoots the three off the catch without hesitation with great shot preparation. 

At times we saw some very unselfish play but also a tendency to force the issues unnecessarily he can easily deliver passes on the money with either hand from the perimeter or from the post as he is willing to play back to the basket basketball and often draws a second defender. When Ellerbe was in the post he likes to fake middle and quick spin on the right block or shoot a hook to the middle. On the left block he loves the turn shot to the middle over his left shoulder. 

Defensively he uses his length and timing to block and alter shots. He is a fun and exciting player to watch. The sky is the limit for this kid all he has to do is work in the most important part of his game at this point and that the game between the ears; mastery of that aspect puts him in rare air and his Top 20 All-Star selection in the Basketball Spotlight Future Phenom Camp is testament of his immense talent.  We will be monitoring this player very closely.

Tick-Toc Its Time for Quinn Clark to Rock

Virginia’s Quinn Clark possesses great length and matching athletic ability and he has been quietly been taking the DMV by storm in recent month. Selected as a 2022 Middle School All-American Clark is a terrific shot blocker on or away from the ball; as well Clark has tremendous timing and can also cover ground quickly to block a shot when the offensive player clearly has an advantage. 

Clark also works the offensive glass. He consistently scores with tips INS over or around opponents. All weekend long Clark was very quick to the ball, notching a solid stat-line of 7-points, 9-rebounds, 2-assist, 2-blocks, and 2-steal on 3-6 shooting from the field. 

He runs the floor extremely well and finishes at the rim on the break and has strong moves when he receives drop off passes in the half court set. Quinn also scores in and around the lane area when he receives the ball from cutting and slashing in between defenders.  He knows how to find his spots and he consistency productive.

Clark made it a compete weekend by making the 2022 Top 20 game at the Basketball Spotlight Future Phenom Camp and has positioned himself with the respect of scouts and as well as his peers as one of the top players in the country in 2022.  His best days are ahead of him as he begins to and maintain a healthy diet of elite level play – with this there is no limit to how far he can go!

DMV Preps Selects Hunter Dickinson & Terrance Williams as Co-MVPs of the Coach Francis Classic

Hunter Dickinson is a true center with great size and tremendous upside. He has drastically improved at running the floor and his mobility is tremendous for a  7-footer. He has excellent hands and finishes drop off passes and clear paths above the rim now.

 He has become an explosive and powerful finisher with both hands around the basket and his good hands allow him to catch tough passes and turn them into baskets; his board and full court dribble that finished with the dunk was a highlight of the weekend and featured in Finest Magazine. 

We also noticed Dickerson has developed a good left shoulder hook with a high release and is gradually developing his right shoulder as well. He is an excellent area rebounder especially on the offensive end and is also a above average on ball shot blocker. 

Physically he is becoming more and more immovable in the paint as his frame continues to fill out. Hunter  is also a big man who takes to coaching and has shown great improvement over the course of his young career as a result DMV Preps is proud to name Hunter Dickerson (Team Uptown) Co-MVP of the 2016 Coach Francis Classic where he dropped 18-points, to go along with 10-boards, 2-assist, 1-block on 9-14 shooting even knocking down a few from distance!

What can be said about Terrance Williams that hasn’t been said; Williams is quickly developing a chiseled frame and physique through hard work and has a great combination of power and finesse again through hard work you are seeing vastly improve agility, quickness, and fast-twitch action. 

He proved he can step out and nail the 3-point shot or go inside and impose his will. He's explosive around the rim dunking over 6’9 centers in game action proves that and he uses his thick frame and some unique hang times on drives to convert in traffic. He is a terrific rebounder in traffic due to his instincts and power and the front court is still wear he bread is buttered but you see as a rising freshman what is in store for the next 4-years.  

Always remember we are talking about a top national prospect in the frontcourt; the wing development will be an added versatility piece that will make him one of the most versatile in the DMV.  His work ethic no doubt lead us to believe that ultimately the high level inside/outside combination he will become will have many college coaches intrigued and calling for years to come – special kid and special player any program would be lucky to have.

DMV Preps is proud to name Terrance Williams (Team Uptown) Co-MVP of the 2016 Coach Francis Classic coming in with 18-points, 10-rebounds, on 6-10 shooting.