Scouts hear mumblings about talent
in the marketplace often; with the DMV being home to some of most talented
players in the country, it organically has one of the deepest talent pools of
any area. With three major events taking place at the middle
school/grammar school level in the DC Metropolitan area in the past three weeks
– each with extremely high levels of competition – DMV Preps have identified
some top players who are doing big things on the circuit and must be noted
moving forward as top prospects and players in the area.
Below is a brief synopsis of players
that must be watched moving forward and mentioned with the area's other top
hoopers:
Logan Curtis - 6’2 SG, Baltimore
Finest (2019): Curtis is true shooting
guard with great size and strength. What makes him special is his ability to
work off the dribble with the pull-up/stop and pop and combine this skill set
with an excellent array of finishing moves. Logan has proved that
he can also step out and knock down the perimeter three from distance as well
he has a propensity derived from an above average basketball IQ to see plays
develop in front of him, and has a unselfish wiliness to share the ball and
make the right play. Big enough to absorb contact and still finish, this
is also an asset as a lead guard – ultimately Curtis should be able to function
well at the high school level as a solid combo guard. One of the most
important aspects beyond offensive proficiency is the ability to guard the
position; Curtis is a willing and able defender who takes pride in this aspect
of his game. He worked well on the ball and as a weak side defender and
used communication to assist his teammates. Do not believe the Curtis is
fully aware of his potential at this juncture; once he figures out that he can
play with anybody in his 2019 class look for some big-time performance for the
rising star a definite player to watch.
Caleb Bowers – 5’8 SG, DC Blue
Devils, (2020): A player that loves the game
doesn’t look at it as work, Bowers is one of those kids that just loves being
in the gym competing and getting better. His hard work is beginning to
translate and pay dividends against high level competition – the truest “test”
and translation of talent is getting the job done against other top players in
the market. A recent reclass has dramatically increased the stock of
Bowers reports have been confirmed of his move from 2019 to 2020.
Recently he has proven himself to be one of the top shooting guards in 2020. He
combines good explosiveness off the floor with a quick deadly stroke from
behind the arc. He is much more of a streak shooter with terrific range who can
run off four or five in a row. There have been major improvements in the
base consistency of his shot which will directly affect his percentages.
Right now better off the catch and shoot than the bounce this aspect too is
improving rapidly. This little pup as well loves to stomp with the big
dogs in the paint already; adding strength to his frame will allow his to
finish with greater efficiency even with his already showing the ability to get
to the line and draw fouls. Points of concentration for Bowers over the
next two years leading to high school is to expand his push and pull ball
handling game to be able to operate as a lead guard for stretches and/or
exclusively and increased laterally quickness to allow him to guard the
position at the elite level. With Bowers improvement trajectory and work
ethic we expect him to achieve these benchmarks sooner rather than later.
Jason Murphy – 6’7 Center, Team Melo
(2019): Murphy is a super long and
athletic post. He runs the floor with long strides and can beat opposing post
players down the floor for easy baskets. He is becoming much quicker as an
initial jumper and is rapidly improving as a second leaper. He is
beginning to play the game above the rim and finishes better each time we have
seen him. He works best currently when he receives drop off passes
created by dribble penetration. You see the beginnings of some solid footwork
great indicators of hard work in the gym. Using his great size for this
level the true center clogs the lane especially on the defensive end of the
floor. He can and finish on the move well for a player his size and able to
change directions well do guard against it on the other. We also see
improvement and ability as a passer off out of the post which allows offence to
be ran through him. Seeing more aggressiveness on the offensive and
defensive end speaks to “future complete player” status. You can’t coach
height and this is height with a constantly improving skill set bodes for well
for the future of Jason Murphy and high school lucky enough to secure his
services as a student-athlete.
Jordan Hairston – 5’8 PG/Combo
Guard, Slam City Elite (2019):
Jordan Hairston is known in many basketball circles and has played in many high
level games on the league circuit as well as the camp circuit - so why is
he on this list? Hairston is undergoing one of the most difficult
transitions in the game of basketball on any level and his recent performance
indicates his path and future is bright. Previously having operated
exclusively as a scoring two Hairston is beginning to show glimpses for long
stretches at the PG positon. Hairston who has one of the best motors in
the game is now “shifting gears” and playing the game at different speeds and
paces. Operating at times as a pass first lead he is seeing the floor and
beginning to anticipate player movement off reads within the offensive
structure. Getting the team into a solid set and good possession shows
Hairston’s basketball maturity and growth; within this he is learning to
facilitate himself and to score with the context of game flow. He hasn’t
lost that killer instinct by any means but this development and ability to
function at the point sends his value sky –rocketing. Could end up as one
of the better scoring one’s once he is able to fully master the position –
multiple high level games with low turnovers high assist and efficient scoring
lead us to not question “if” only “when” Jordan become a top candidate to
moving to the high school level.
Anwar Gill – 6’2 SG/Combo Guard, DC
Premier (2019): Anwar Gill is a strong
physical wing. He runs the floor on the break where he can use his strength to
get to the rim. In the half court he attacks defenders from the wing and can
finish through contact with ease. He has a good mid-range jumper off the bounce
which is actually more effective than his catch is shoot currently which bodes
well for his future. Another player who has yet to figure out his true
value and ability as a player; a common thing for talented kids at the middle
school level – the bottom-line is Gill has the tools to play the game on an
elite high level. Deceptively quick but more crafty than anything with
the ball, he make the ball an extension of himself; he become immediately more
efficient when he takes less chances and still remains (if not improves) is
effectiveness on the court. Frankly with his skill set and size Gill can
get anywhere he wants on the floor with the ball. He challenges taller players
at the rim and can finish over or around them; he probes and penetrates the
defense looking for openings to finishes or to set up others. At times
can be overly unselfish – but if that the worst thing we can say about Anwar
I’m sure this a problem high schools will happily address deal with, there are
not many guard with this size/skill combination making him a very attractive
piece in the DMV market.
Isaiah Folks- 5’6 PG, 023 Feet
(2020): Folk is now a scoring point
guard that has consistently been one of the top facilitators in this age group.
He is a difficult match-up because he forces the defender to play close which
opens driving lanes for him to make plays of the dribble. He equally
adept at finding teammates as he is at stopping on a dime and knocking down the
perimeter shot; his trey ball is also looking very solid and he shoots it with
distance. With this added scoring propensity he has the ability to play both
backcourt positions with effectiveness. Still a baby in the basketball world
Folks is beginning to gain strength and height; this is very exciting and a
traditional path for young players. As their physical attributes catch up
with the skill and dedication magic happens. Call Folks “David
Copperfield” as he must be considered one of the most dangerous PG in the area
at 2020, he plays both ends, seeing the flow, has the basketball intellect and
leadership skills that teammates appreciate and coaches want. Great
player, great kids, and great prospect that should be on everyone’s list - His
defensive efforts only further makes you fall in love; currently a one position
(PG) defensive match-up his effort allows him to guard wings at this
level. A top defender who without question is unafraid to stick his nose
on the fray, again as his frame grows (long arms/legs now) he become even more
value and versatile on the defensive end.
Ryan Conway – 5’10 SG, Team Durant (2020): You have to be very careful when you make statements
as “best”, “top”, etc. So this is understood when Ryan Conway is called
the best pure shooter in the 2020 class. A player who is not only
comfortable in the gym where he shoots 70%/75% in drill situations, he
translates this skill set to the game situations and is a knock down shooter
from mid-range and beyond the 3-point stripe. As an added benefit Conway
has a big and tough frame and he isn’t afraid to attack paint and use it, where
he has shown the ability to finish with both hands and versatility. Tough
kids who gives it all he has every possession and is a versatile defender who
can guard multiple positions. Rebounds and is one of the hardest workers
anytime we have seen him, handle is improving rapidly as well as his
decision making with the ball once this catches up with his elite scoring ability
we may be talking about one of the best in the class. Meet him now and
remember him always.
