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!

DMV Prep Stars Shine In Buckeye State

Known as one of the most storied middle school showcases in the country, “The Buckeye Prep Showcase” attracts talent from across the United States.  With over 500 players in attendance, the competition was extremely tough and competitive at this year's event.

This is the type of environment that the DMV players thrive in.  Many having recently competed at the Basketball Spotlight Future Phenom Camp, they were hungry, ready, and tested – making the trek to Columbus, Ohio and representing themselves well, earning spots as some of the top players in their respective classes.

2019 Top 30 All Star Selections

1.      Sharif Kenney (DC)
2.      Marvin Price (MD)
3.      Terrance William* (Class of 2020) (DC)

2019 Top 60 All Star Selections

1.      Jordan Hairston (VA)

2020 Top 30 All Star Selections

1.      Cameron Byers (MD)
2.      Chuck Harris (VA)
3.      Jordan Toles (MD)
4.      Jeremy Roach (VA)
5.      Domingus Stevens (DC)
6.      Ryan Conway (MD)

2020 Top 60 All Star Selections

1.      Tyler Brelsford (MD)
2.      Darius Miles (DC)
3.      Will Paige (VA)
4.      Josiah Hardy (VA)
5.      Garrett Johnson (VA)

2021 Top 30 All Star Selections

1.      Zion Harmon (DC)
2.      Jake Koverman (MD)
3.      Rasheed Dupree (VA)

2024-2022 Top 30 All Star Selections

1.      Knasir “Dug” McDaniel (DC)
2.      Sammy Scott (MD)
3.      Cameron Gillus (VA)

DMV Secret Run Heats Up

This past weekend’s session opened with an advanced full-court drill regimen that pushed each player in attendance. Any misconception of an easy Sunday morning was removed less than ten minutes into the session. Players doubled over, pulled on their shorts, and they still wanted more – as elite players, they appreciated the work.

An event that has already been graced with the appearance of top national players such as Justin Moore, Marvin Price, the Mitchell twins, and Christian DePollar; each likely to claim a top 25 in the next few weeks with multiple vying for a position in the top 10 - were now joined by the DMV’s #1 rated 2019 prospect Sherif Kenney and 2021 standout Zion Harmon. Along with this talented bunch, the newly-reclassed James Bishop and Cameron Byers of Baltimore came to lay their claim as one of the area’s best by proving it on the court. Anthony Harris out of Virginia came in having gained a few inches of height since the end of the AAU season and he looked strong and extra quick – the element of strength on an already great finisher is clearly going to take him to another level as scorer.

This will go down as the official first time Byers faced Terrance Williams in their new 2020 class.  Without question there was a battle for supremacy taking place with neither conceding anything to the other. Kenny showed why he is the best as he was impactful and dominating even when he wasn’t scoring with his passing and unselfish play as well as his rebounding and defense.

This week’s head to head highlights which is the highlight of each weekend for all in attendance included some of the following:

Zion Harmon vs. Justice Ellison – The quickness is back and Justice looked explosive, he worked well in the mid-range knocking down some pull-ups and setting up teammates.  Harmon proved without question that he can play at this level despite being the youngest player in the gym he scored from all levels and took a pounding anytime he entered the lane – the older players were going to end up on his highlight film!

Anthony Harris vs James Bishop – Quick on quick; mirror images to an extent – each great scorers who do the job in very different ways.  Harris was tough in transition and pressed the paint any chance he got; the lift on his pull-up made it difficult for opponents to challenge his shot – when he is squared up and locked in the jumper goes down and open’s up more opportunities.  A willing passer Harris showed why he is who they say he is.  Bishop may be one of the best pure scorers in the class; the eye test tells you that you can stop him – but with the ball in his hands he does it from everywhere and at all angles.  He will take what the defense gives him on one plays and take what he wants the next.  One of the toughest covers in the area as he can handle with the best of them as well!

Terrance Williams vs Sherif Kenny - A very interesting match-up this turned out to be; Kenny let the game come to him and didn’t press, but when he was in mode there wasn’t much of an answer.  Williams battled and never back down and earned his respect. Kenny can give it to anyone in the country and on his drives he showed power as well as fitness in his finishes, which were silk smooth with either hand.  Touch on his jumper and vision on his passes - many of which were of the no look variety; were right on the button and showed a versatile skill set that defines him.  Williams continues to make big time progress in his move to the perimeter; this environment proved he is right on target – there is no one better for Williams to be tested against and he gave as much as he took.  He knocked down the three, created space and hit the stop and pop’s on the baseline and elbow with effectiveness.  The post play we all know about and he got buckets there as usual.

The battle between Jordan Hairson and Anwar Gill was also enjoyable – each has a scorers mentality and the ability to score the ball in a lot of ways.  I got the impression that these two have met somewhere before as another common theme was that each worked hard on the defensive side too.  Hairson who has a great motor is benefiting greatly from his consistent exposure to the top national talent in the past few months; the change in his game is very visible and apparent. This was the first time we saw Gill outside of his club – the kid as some tools; when attacking and aggressive he was at his best.  He can put the ball on the floor and is a player that I absolutely want to see more of. As his future position becomes more clearly defined he will be able to really focus on that area.  He has the “curse” of doing many things well, but the development of a “go to skill” will take Gill to another level for sure.

There is no place where this level of competition can be simulated and the bottom line is that the best players are coming out and getting better and making each other better.
Below is a little sample of what went on in the gym with this talented bunch and what those who receive an invite for this weekend can expect: