The Mitchell's Have Landed - 6'9 Twins Commit to URI Joining SJCHS G Ishmael Leggett

Former DC Premier & USA National Select studs Makhi and Makhel Mitchell committed to Rhode Island University on March 30, 2020 on Instagram.  Their arrival creates a heavy local feel with St. Johns Cadet guards Ishmael Leggett already committed.  Rhode Island games will certainly have great viewership in the DMV.

The Mitchells who were each rated as four-star recruits coming out of Woodrow Wilson High after spending the prior season at national powerhouse Montverde Academy (Fla.). This pass season for the Terps Makhi Mitchell played in 12 games making five starts. Producing  3.0 ppg and 3.3 rebs while shooting 54.5% from the field. Makhel Mitchell appeared in 10 games providing support of the bench contributing 1.0 ppg and 2.3 rebs.

At this juncture sources close to the situation who wish to remain anonymous have advised DMV Preps that it’s still to be determined if the Mitchell twins will be eligible immediately.  Both are currently awaiting on a ruling on the “one time transfer exception” for student athletes.  If successful this would remove the two-semester waiting period currently in place prior to gaining eligibility.   

How did Rhode Island get into the mix?; this too has roots back here to the DMV as Head Coach David Cox has frequented this area often, living in proximity not long ago to what is considered the nations hotbed for basketball.  He followed DC Premier closely as they competed on the UA Circuit.

Prior to committing the twins visited Patrick Ewing and Georgetown and well Providence University fueling speculation that a commitment was forthcoming.  Yet URI outlasted them all in landing the DC natives.  They are part of a recruiting class currently consisting of six solid guys with upside.  Information as the time of this publication leads DMV Preps to belevie URI will be seeking to add additional depth via the grad transfer option or juco ranks. 

SPECIAL NOTE:  Mahki Long a fellow DC native who played his freshman campaign at URI has entered the transfer portal.  Stay tuned for updates on his destination.

Congrats to the Mitchells and Leggett can’t wait to see them all on the floor together.

Leggett, Kenney Starring Now

Ishmael Leggett - 5’8, CG 2020

Ishmael Leggett is a very unique talent. Leggett is a skilled combo guard that can play all three perimeter positions. He is a great passer with excellent court vision and is a good decision maker who is probably best suited playing point guard in the future. Possessing a phenomenal skill set  for such a  young guard, there is no one that competes or plays harder than Leggett – he really does a great job using his instincts and anticipation offensively to create space and scoring lanes, and the ability to shoot a high percentage from beyond the 3-point stripe make him one of the toughest covers around.

On the defensive end he is a great on ball defender and plays the passing lanes to come up with steals.
Tough as they come, he is unafraid to attack the paint; he slashes and finishes with an array of great moves and shows great touch and body control. Ishmael is the unquestioned leader for the TTO 2020 group; as he goes so goes the team, and an off day for Leggett doesn’t bode well for the squad. He has proven time and time again that when in a groove he can carry a team for long stretches while serving as a primary scorer, ball-handler, or defender.  Consistently rated on national boards as one of the top prospects, Leggett’s quite demeanor makes him one of the most unassuming youth stars - but a star he is nevertheless and one who will only get better as he progresses to the next level.

Sherif Kenney - 6’5, WG 2019

The unquestioned and undisputed #1 player in the DMV and #4 ranked player nationally, Kenney - who suits up for the powerhouse 2019 DC Premier team – is a problem that a solution has yet to be found for. Kenney possesses the dangerous combination of boxer toughness, world-class athletic ability and a thoroughbred's competitive drive. He brings a certain type of “swag” and confidence to the floor and is able to impose his will on both his teammates and opponents. He is a consistent producer that leads his team in points, rebounds and assists, depending on the need, as he is a five-category contributor and one of the most unselfish stars around.

Sherif is extremely comfortable anywhere on the floor, as he can work as a lead guard/point forward type, play from the wing off pin downs or isolations, and he works both the high post and low post with equal effectiveness and efficiency as a scorer and willing passer.

As a defender, he has the speed and quickness to guard all three perimeter positions as a lockdown stopper and has the strength and power to take on a stretch or low post player.  Has shown the rare ability that only best players in the game possess – he can turn it on and raise his game to another level on demand and carry a game or a team single-handedly if called upon – yet even with this ability he gets just as much joy from seeing his teammate score and succeed as he does doing it himself.

Getting to know the person, Kenney is a unique and special kid who has invested in long hours in the gym honing his skill set. Investing in him as a coach and prospect will undoubtedly pay extremely high dividends immediately at the high school level, as he is varsity ready today as an 8th grader.
One of the best in the game is doing it right here in the DMV for your viewing pleasure – he is worth the price of admission!