DMV’s Class of 2022 New Stars Starting to See Success & Make Noise

Rob Lawson has the versatility that many coaches covet. He has the scoring ability and offensive game to play as a scoring guard, but he can also distribute the ball and facilitate the offensive in the mode of a point guard.

He has a very well-rounded game, deserving of high marks in many areas. He can stroke it from the perimeter in addition to being a very effective penetrator. He passes the ball well also, which allows him to swing to the point guard slot for significant minutes. He also has good athleticism and the quickness that most coaches look for in guards. Lawson is also a good defender, using his good foot speed and lateral quickness to stay with most guards on the perimeter.  He played solidly for the USA National Select squad in their recent appearance in the Atlantic City Showcase. 

Kamal Francis is budding wing with a lot of raw talent and ability, Francis has the type of long and athletic frame that makes his upside easy to see. He's very rangy with a good nose for the ball. He can cover the court, be a major factor in transition, and a weak-side shot-blocker.

He has a solid foundation on his jumper to continue to develop and is gradually expanding the rest of his ball skills as well. Long-term, he could be the type of versatile scorer who could not only thrive in transition but also from various spots in a half-court game. Long athletic attacking wing scorer that rebounds on both ends and plays with great energy and urgency.  Just getting his feet wet on the national stage Francis had a solid weekend alongside some of the nation’s best as a member of USA National Select.

Gionne Swann has all of the tools that coaches love to see in point guards. He is quickly developing  size and strength for a point guard while using a method we have seen many time, playing off the ball against bigger stronger guards – where he can knockdown his jump shot .   He showed well in at the AC Showcase playing with USA National Select.

Despite being slight of build, he has the quickness to penetrate past defenders and get to the paint. He is one of the best shooters with range extending out to three-point land. He has a good feel and understanding of the game that point guards have to possess to be successful and when his body catches up with his mind and shooting ability you will see a huge jump in his overall production.  Currently he has the ability to give you buckets from anywhere inside half court when he get his shot off. 

Mark Pharos’s length and mobility is very in intriguing. He runs, has rebounding and shot blocking ability. He is still raw offensively and more effective as a face up then back to the basket.  We like his overall strength and will be looking for increased aggression – as when active he has the tools to impact the game. A true big, those that know they have immense value and traditionally are developed late; as a younger player he has very good upside and could be a great reclass candidate.

Darius Tilghman and Gionn Swann Fresh Faces Going Places

2021- Darius Tilghman                                                                  2022 - Gionn Swann

Two players arrived at the Basketball Spotlight Future Phenom Camp with something to prove and each made a major statement by their play on the court. Competing against the best accumulation of talent in the country Darius Tilghman and Gionn Swann proved that they both belong in the conversation.  The discovery of new talent and acknowledgement through their achievement on the court has long been what the DMV is about.  Each year given the proving grounds that the DMV provides players who are battle test here step onto the national scene and immediately garner the respect of their peers and evaluators.  TIlghman and Swann are two names that took their respect recently at the Discovery Sport Center in Boyds. Md.

Darius Tilghman a 2021 talent stands 6’1 and is being groomed to the play the lead guard position.  Tilghman who finished a few votes short of completing in the recent Middle School All-American game used this as motivation for an explosive and impressive showing in the Basketball Spotlight Future Phenom Camp.  He's the owner of an athletic build and is wiry, ala Will Barton. His effectiveness is derived from the fact that he is capable of playing multiple positions.   

With improving quickness and speed – combined with excellent size for the position we like the foundation beign laid for him with respect to IQ and savvy for the game.   The jump shot looks better each time we see it and we noticed an ability to change speeds very well which we noticed kept many defenders off balance; the head and shoulder fakes also are examples of Tilghman being taught well and using the knowledge to tangibly on the court which is the ultimate test growth and development.  Keep an eye for this kid his best day are in front of him.

Gionn Swann, is new to the class of 2022 from the class of 2021 and his experience, quickness, and subtle swag have allowed him to make an instant impact right out the gate.  A sleek slashing point guard that has really good finishing ability and is an excellent bounce passer, a lost art by many players - Swann strikes a good balance between scoring, passing and leading by example on the court.  He has good quickness and speed with the ball in his hands, but can also run pick and roll and play with pace. He's an above average shooter to 19 feet with improving consistency as we have seen improvement over the course of several months. Good heady defender who plays passing lanes well will be one of the top lead guards in the area coming out of the Virginia portion of the DMV.