The D.C. Area's Top Basketball Prospects
By Josh Barr
Washington Post Staff Writer
Web Posted: Thursday, March 3, 2005; 9:21 p.m. EST
The Post's list of the Washington area's top 40 basketball prospects.
Juniors
FIRST TEAM | Name | School | Position | Height | | Jeff Allen | DeMatha | F | 6-7 |
Of Note: Agile and strong, was hampered by knee injury much of this past season. Being recruited by several ACC schools and other elite programs.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | David Brewster | Springbrook | G | 6-5 |
Of Note: Has great size for a shooting guard; averaged 20.1 points per game and shot better than 40 percent from three-point range this season.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Hillary Haley | Friendly | F | 6-6 |
Of Note: Started and played a significant role for first time this season and will only get better with more experience. Has decent range.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Eric Hayes | Potomac (Va.) | G | 6-3 |
Of Note: Talented guard was first member of his class locally to choose a college, making an unofficial commitment to Maryland last October.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Taishi Ito | Montrose Christian | G | 6-0 |
Of Note: Fierce competitor is excellent defender. Should be a top-level recruit.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Jourdan Morris | Bowie | F | 6-6 |
Of Note: Played at Eleanor Roosevelt in 2003-04 and had disappointing season this winter at Montrose Christian before transferring again. Has the size and ability to be a big-time player.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Nigel Munson | DeMatha | G | 6-0 |
Of Note: Talented point guard does whatever his team needs, from setting up teammates to scoring to playing defense.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Scottie Reynolds | Herndon | G | 6-0 |
Of Note: A scoring point guard who has had to carry his team's offense. Capable of shooting outside or going to the basket. Averaged 31.6 points.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Bobby Shannon | Potomac (Md.) | F | 6-5 |
Of Note: Has a good feel for the game and makes an impact at either end when he plays his hardest.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Greivis Vasquez | Montrose Christian | G | 6-5 |
Of Note: The Venezuelan arrived in Rockville in the fall and already has established himself as a skilled player. Should be one of the area's top prospects next season.
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SECOND TEAM | Name | School | Position | Height | | Corey Allmond | Gwynn Park | G | 6-0 |
Of Note: Mentally and physically tough point guard who can score when necessary.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Marcus Ashton | Gynn Park | G | 6-2 |
Of Note: Pure shooter also can finish around the basket.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Jacob Green | Gonzaga | C | 6-8 |
Of Note: Has the height, but needs to get stronger as he continues to improve as a player.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Darryl Greene | Bishop McNamara | G | 5-10 |
Of Note: Primarily a distributor, he also averaged 10.9 points this past season.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Eric Henderson | Bowie | G | 6-2 |
Of Note: Transferred back to Bowie after spending sophomore season at Carroll. Regarded as one of the area's better scorers.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Mike Lewis | Douglass | G | 5-7 |
Of Note: An undersized scorer who knows how to get his shots. Averaged 22.9 points and 3.4 three-pointers per game this past season.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Rockwell Moody | O'Connell | C | 6-9 |
Of Note: Has excellent size and agility, needs to become more aggressive.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Danny Sumner | Paul VI Catholic | F | 6-6 |
Of Note: Averaged 13.9 points this past season. Opposing coaches think he has the potential to be the best among a talented group of Panthers.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Ben Thomas | Montrose Christian | F | 6-7 |
Of Note: Son of a former NFL defensive lineman is somewhat inexperienced. Should get better with more playing time and work in the weight room.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Lester Williams | Cardozo | G | 6-0 |
Of Note: Talented point guard led Clerks to City Title last season and DCIAA championship this season.
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Sophomores
FIRST TEAM | Name | School | Position | Height | | Mike Beasley | Riverdale Baptist | C | 6-9 |
Of Note: Sensational skills for a player his size. Some observers think he is the best player in the Washington area, regardless of class. Has committed to Charlotte, and is considered a possibility to jump from high school to the NBA.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Adrian Bowie | Montrose Christian | G | 6-2 |
Of Note: Attacks the basket well and has worked to get a consistent mid-range jumper. Getting interest from ACC, Big East schools.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Darnell Dodson | Eleanor Roosevelt | F | 6-4 |
Of Note: Has a smooth stroke and ability to go strong to the basket. Averaged 10.3 points this past season and should have chance to emerge as standout next season.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Austin Freeman | DeMatha | G | 6-5 |
Of Note: Polished, versatile shooting guard could be the next great player for the Stags. Led team in scoring at 13.7 points per game.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Jerai Grant | DeMatha | F | 6-8 |
Of Note: The son of former NBA player Harvey Grant is a post player who should get his turn to shine at DeMatha in the future.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Anthony McClain | National Christian | C | 7-0 |
Of Note: Has good touch around basket and excellent timing to block shots. Still a little raw, but already has an offer from Georgetown.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Nolan Smith | Riverdale Baptist | G | 6-2 |
Of Note: Son of former Louisville star, the late Derek Smith, is a pure scorer. Shoots the three-pointer well, but play him too close and he'll drive past you.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Julian Vaughn | South Lakes | F | 6-8 |
Of Note: Outstanding player was at Montrose Christian last season before transferring. Should be highly sought-after.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Shane Walker | Bishop Ireton | F | 6-10 |
Of Note: Power forward came over from England prior to this school year. Rebounds well and has a nice touch around the basket.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Chris Wright | St. John's | G | 6-0 |
Of Note: Smooth player has a mature game. Knows when to pick his spots and turn up the offense and when to get his teammates involved.
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SECOND TEAM | Name | School | Position | Height | | Darnell Anthony | Suitland | G | 6-2 |
Of Note: Already a two-year starter, should continue to get better. Knows when to take his shot and does not force things.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Brandon Doughty | National Christian | F | 6-7 |
Of Note: Can shoot from the outside or drive. His father, Jim Doughty, played for Ohio State and the Globetrotters in the 1960s.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | David Campbell | Good Counsel | G | 6-2 |
Of Note: Has the talent to play shooting guard but was forced to play small forward and power forward for the undersized Falcons this season.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | John Flowers | Thomas Stone | F | 6-6 |
Of Note: Often runs the point in the second half of games and is developing a nice medium-range jumper. Some Southern Maryland Athletic Conference coaches think he might be league's best player in 15 years.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Augustus Gilchrist | Friendly | F | 6-8 |
Of Note: Averaged 5.7 points this season, but has the size and reach to develop into a top post player.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Milade Lola-Charles | Laurel | C | 6-8 |
Of Note: Is agile for a tall player. Still somewhat raw, but should get better with more experience.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Vlad Moldoveanu | St. John's | F | 6-9 |
Of Note: Top Romanian player is still adapting to the American game, but has good shooting range and nice touch. Averaged 8.5 points this past season.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Jamal Samuels | Carroll | F | 6-7 |
Of Note: Is capable of playing inside and outside. Needs to get stronger and continue to work hard to reach his potential.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Deontay Twyman | Sherwood | G | 5-9 |
Of Note: Talented two-sport athlete is starting quarterback for school's football team. Rival coaches think he could be spectacular if he tried to excel at one sport.
| | | Name | School | Position | Height | | Mike Williams | Bishop Ireton | C | 7-0 |
Of Note: In second year playing in Washington area, English import lost more than 50 pounds to get in better shape. Should continue to get better.
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