The DMV was the place to be for high school basketball this past weekend, with a myriad of events headlined by the National Hoops Festival at DeMatha and the Gonzaga Classic on Eye Street in NW DC. The events drew prominent programs from around the country and featured many of the top teams from the DMV area. Encouragingly, the events were sprinkled with Maryland recruits, most especially from the 2024 class. Let’s take a look at a few of them. Robert Dockery, Jackson-Reed (DC) Jackson-Reed may have come up short on their quest for the Gonzaga Classic championship, losing a high-energy contest to host Gonzaga College (DC) 64-58, but Dockery left his stamp on the tournament by averaging 23 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3 steals over their three games. A seriously versatile 6’7” W/F, Dockery’s ability to impact the game in a variety of ways, with or without the ball, has made him a hot commodity on the recruiting trail. While Maryland is in the mix, he’s also hearing from UConn, Virginia Tech, LSU, Mississippi State, Rutgers, and Xavier, among others. On Friday, Dockery exploded for 29 points on 10-15 shooting against Whitney Young High School, one of the top public school programs in Chicago. He was able to get downhill off the bounce at will, using his advanced feel for the defense and broad shoulders to clear space, create contact, finish and get to the foul line (9-14 FT). On the perimeter, he’s a skilled primary ballhandler option who can create easy opportunities for himself and others. His impact on the game is felt on both ends, which was on full display throughout the weekend when he was able to leverage his defensive playmaking ways into several monstrous open-court finishes above the rim. Enjoy detailed analysis of Dockery’s skillset here. Garrett Sundra | Paul VI (VA) Sundra is a starter on one of the most talented teams in the nation in Paul VI. The lengthy 6’10” forward proved his worth over the weekend at the National Hoops Festival, as he showcased his growing versatility and perimeter skills in his team’s two wins: a blowout over Baltimore powerhouse Mount St. Joseph and a competitive contest against The Patrick School (NJ). Sundra’s progression as a player has been notable over the last calendar year, but he really took a leap this summer/fall, prompting a call from Kevin Willard to offer him back on October 26th. His game blends perfectly with the talent around him, as he plays off of his teammates in transition and the half-court. He showed as much on Saturday and Sunday by displaying his inside/outside skillset in the two victories. He grabbed 10 boards against The Patrick School, a team featuring 10 players over 6’5” and three that were 6’11”+. Sundra stepped out and showed his jumper, put it on the floor against closeouts, and got out in the open court for a big finish. He averaged 8 points and 6.5 rebounds in the two wins. In addition to his size and growth of his game, his mobility and basketball IQ on both ends have landed him on the radar of programs like Virginia Tech, Butler, Miami (FL), and Iowa. Check out a succinct breakdown of Sundra’s game here. Daquan Davis | St. John’s (DC) Whether Maryland snags a point guard for next year is still uncertain. But if you look through the lens of the 2024 class, you’re sure to see 6’1” Daquan Davis staring back at you as a legitimate option. Fresh off his breakout sophomore season and killer summer with 16U Peach Jam champion Team Takeover, Davis led St. John’s to a 2-0 weekend at the National Hoops Festival. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone to match his tenacity night-in and night-out, and it was no different against The Patrick School (NJ) and Dream City Christian International (AZ). Despite struggling from the field, Davis made his presence felt early against TPS, bringing the crowd to their feet when he dunked on the head of their 7’3” center in transition. He also set the tone defensively, imposing his will on the opposition as he’s known to do. St. John’s won decisively. In their second game, Davis guided the team back from an 8-point halftime deficit, scoring 18 points on 6-15 FG. He also had 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals in the 60-49 win. Noticeably stronger and more explosive, there’s good reason Maryland is competing with the likes of Penn State, Butler, Texas A&M, VCU, and Mississippi State. Catch up on everything there is to know about Davis’s game in this full evaluation. Related Links Rico Walker to Maryland: How it Happened, What it Means, What’s Next (+) Kevin Willard reviews Maryland’s loss to UCLA Four-star ATH Rico Walker commits to Maryland Locksley talks Taulia’s plans, bowl prep, young playmakers VIP: four-star update, former ACC safety, upcoming visitors (+) VIP: Good roster news (+)
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