2022 PG Koren Johnson (Garfield, WA)
Although the basketball season in the state of Washington does not begin until January, college coaches should keep their eye on 2022 PG Koren Johnson of powerhouse Garfield High School once their season gets going. Johnson, a 6-foot-1 point guard out of Seattle, sort of made his name known last season after averaging 17.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 4.0 RPG, and 2.0 SPG as a sophomore. Koren was a big part of the Bulldogs state title run last season and should play an even bigger role this season. He holds offers right now from schools like Arizona, Washington, Washington State, Montana, Pepperdine, and others. Johnson holds great quickness, an elite pull up jumper, plays with toughness, and can really knock down shots from anywhere on the floor as a capable scoring guard.
2021 C Jonathan Kurtas (Lake Norman, NC)
Lake Norman Christian has received major buzz coming into the 2020-2021 high school due to their recent addition of highly rated 2023 G Mikey Williams. With the spotlight all over this team this season, it will certainly give guys like 2021 C Jonathan Kurtas a chance to be evaluated and seen by college coaches. Kurtas, a 6-foot-11 big man, should receive more attention over the next few months. He currently olds offers now from schools like Denver and Navy, with interest from schools like St. Mary’s, College of Charleston, Charleston Southern, Fresno State, Drexel, and others. Jonathan is a rim running big man who eats inside the paint offensively, holds that interior presence defensively alternating shots, an accurate shot blocker, and paint finisher.
2021 PG Elijah Hawkins (DeMatha, MD)
The COVID-19 outbreak really back tracked and delayed most of the recruits from the 2021 class and especially guys like Elijah Hawkins, a 5-foot-10 point guard out of powerhouse DeMatha Catholic. Hawkins ran the point guard spot last season for the Stags, who finished 30-3 overall while capturing the tough WCAC title, and played behind big time prospects like Earl Timberlake Jr. (Miami) and Hunter Dickinson (Michigan). Elijah should receive some more recognition this season as it goes along. He currently holds strong interest from schools like Howard, UMBC, Hampton, Delaware, James Madison, and others. He is a quality point guard, a pit-bull defender, a reliable shot maker, makes nice reads, and shows shades of Toronto all-star Kyle Lowry.
2021 F Alpha Bangura (Westtown, PA)
A name college coaches should certainly take a look at this season is 2021 F Alpha Bangura, of Pennsylvania powerhouse Westtown School. Bangura, a 6-foot-7 plus wing, will play his senior season at Westtown School and will be playing on the national level. Alpha is a lengthy wing with long arms, holds nice athleticism, a potential 3-and-D type of wing, and an impactful playmaker on both ends of the floor. “He has been improving his offensive skill set”, his head coach Seth Berger tells me. He currently holds a number of low mid-major offers and a few Atlantic-10 offers. Bangura could receive more attention and rise his stock as the season goes along over the next few months. He will be a major piece to this season’s Westtown School squad.
2021 SG Cam McDowell (McEachern, GA)
Cam McDowell is one of Georgia’s top players coming into the 2020-2021 high school season and also one of the nation’s biggest sleeper prospects. He helped McEachern reach the GHSA class 7A final four last season, where he averaged 22.0 PPG and 7.0 RPG. McDowell is a 6-foot-4 active two-guard with long arms, plays with a competitive edge, can space the floor with his perimeter shooting, an athletic guard, an active defender, and finishes plays around the rim. He currently holds interest from schools like James Madison and Virginia Tech for now but that should change as more offers and interest should start flowing in once the season begins.
The Grind Hoops by Samad Hines 