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2022 DC Live Notebook

By Marcus Helton, 06/21/22, 9:30PM EDT

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This year's event at Sidwell featured plenty of talent.

WASHINGTON, DC - 21 teams from across the region assembled at Sidwell Friends School last weekend for the annual DC Live Basketball Showcase, which allowed high school programs the limited opportunity to play in front of college coaches in one venue.

Here’s a look at some of the players who caught my eye at Sidwell last weekend:

JALEN ROUGIER-ROANE, SIDWELL FRIENDS (DC) 2025 GUARD

Rougier-Roane had a strong freshman debut with Sidwell’s MAC and DCSAA Champion squad in the winter, but if his performance at DC Live is any indication, he’s bound for an absolute breakout sophomore campaign.

The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder averaged team-highs in scoring (15.5 points per game), rebounds (8) and blocks (1.75) as the Quakers went a perfect 4-0 for the weekend.

“I feel like I’m really versatile,” Rougier-Roane said of his strengths. “I can finish inside, rebound, shoot the ball, defend their best player, and I’m just looking to grow that more throughout my years of school.”

That versatility was on display all weekend, starting with a 15-point, 10-rebound 2-assist, 2-steal performance in an opening 67-41 win over Jefferson (WV) in Friday’s final game.

“The overall goal is just getting together as a good team again, because coming off that state championship we’re adding some new pieces,” he said. “We’re trying to get that championship mentality back, and do well in front of all these college coaches and then break off into our July AAU stuff. So I’m just hoping to do the best that I can.”

Rougier-Roane said he doesn’t think Sidwell will have a problem integrating its new pieces as it seeks to add to its burgeoning trophy collection in the winter.

“Here at Sidwell, we’re together all the time, so that chemistry is built quick,” he said. “It shouldn’t be long before we’re back and ready; we had a good win today so we’ll just keep pushing.”

CAMERON GILLUS, SIDWELL FRIENDS (DC) 2023 GUARD

It feels like only yesterday Gillus was a promising young freshman guard for the Quakers; now he’s their veteran senior leader.

Throughout his career, Gillus has been a player who makes winning contributions, and that was evident again at DC Live. He only took four shots in a 49-36 win over Hayfield on Saturday, but his hands were all over the game. He finished with 10 assists - to just two turnovers - and four steals. He posted 6.5 points and 4.25 assists per game for the weekend.

Gillus has Atlantic 10 and Ivy League offers/interest, and would be a great fit for a team looking for a floor general.

CALEB WILLIAMS, SIDWELL FRIENDS (DC) 2024 GUARD

Williams continues to trend upward, literally and figuratively. The sophomore guard looks to have grown a bit since the season, and appears every bit the 6-foot-8 he is listed as (to be fair, I’m always skeptical of roster heights, but this one checks out.).

Williams’ blend of size and skill makes him a perfect Swiss Army Knife-type piece for Quakers coach Eric Singletary, who is able to deploy him all over the court. He was a matchup nightmare again last weekend, averaging 10.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

George Mason, George Washington, Ole Miss, South Florida and VCU have all extended scholarship offers since DC Live, joining an ever-growing list of suitors that includes the likes of Maryland, Penn State and Virginia Tech.

CHRIS YAPO, FRIENDSHIP COLLEGIATE (DC) 2024 FORWARD

The 6-foot-7 Yapo is a new name to follow in the area, having arrived from Leicester, England in May. He immediately impressed me with his energy and athleticism, starting with a 10-point, 19-rebound effort in a 53-49 overtime win against Ballou on Friday afternoon.

Yapo was also credited with three blocks in the game - including one he went up above the box to get - but it felt like he had more. He dove on the floor to keep the possession alive that led to the first bucket of overtime by teammate Daniel Grissom, giving the Knights a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Overall, Yapo averaged 9 points, 9.7 rebounds and two blocks per game for the weekend.

Yapo played last year at Charnwood College in England’s Elite Academy Basketball League (EABL), which ifeatures the country’s top high school programs. He said the biggest adjustment he’s had to make since coming stateside is getting used to the speed of the game.

“I feel like the game in the USA is, like, fast,” he said. “Everyone in this country pushes the ball, they like to play with speed and they always have to make decisions quick. So, me as an athlete, I have to slow down and anticipate and use my IQ while still learning to adapt to the game.”

KEYON WEBB-STARKEY, FRIENDSHIP COLLEGIATE (DC) 2024 GUARD

Webb-Starkey had a team-high 17 points to help the Knights cap a furious rally - they trailed by six with a minute left - and help pull out a 53-49 overtime win over Ballou on Friday.

The 5-foot-9 guard impressed with his quickness, strength and ability to create separation. He averaged a team-leading 15.3 points per game for the weekend.

ROB DOCKERY, JACKSON-REED (DC) 2024 WING

The top public school player in the city - assuming the mantle held by now-graduated teammate Darren Buchanan (Virginia Tech) - Dockery looks the part and backs it up.

The 6-foot-6 Dockery opened DC Live with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a 70-50 win over Archbishop Carroll, and gave opposing defenses trouble all weekend. He finished second on the team in scoring at 13.3 points per game and led in rebounds (7.8), assists (2.5) and blocks (1.5).

LORENZO MARTIN, BALLOU (DC) 2024 GUARD

I’ve been a fan of Martin since first seeing him on the 2021 DMVelite Super Circuit with Washington Highland Elite, and he’s only gotten better since then. He was a key member of Ballou’s DCSAA Class A title team in the winter, posting 21 points and 10 rebounds in the final against Bard.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has good size and strength, and is hard for defenders to stay in front of once he gets going downhill. His physicality helps in the paint and on the boards, as well. He opened with 22 points and 10 boards in a 53-49 overtime loss to Friendship Collegiate on Friday, and poured in 28 points - to go with 10 rebounds - in a win over St. Alban’s on Saturday.

Martin finished with an average of 18.7 points per game - just a hair below event leader Dennis Parker of John Marshall (Va.) at 18.8 - and also led the Knights in rebounding (7.7).

NATE PONDEXTER, BARD (DC) 2024 FORWARD

The 6-foot-5 Pondexter was very active against a much bigger Maret squad, finishing with team highs in points (13) and rebounds in a loss Friday. He finished the weekend as the team’s leading scorer (12.3), rebounder (6.5) and shot blocker (1 a game).

STEVEN LAMAR, BARD (DC) 2023 GUARD

Lamar had a breakout junior campaign, earning Second Team All-DCIAA recognition and leading the new Bard program to a runner-up finish in DCSAA Class A.

He started slow in an opening loss to Maret Friday, but rebounded Saturday to post the highest scoring effort of the weekend, going for 29 points on 12-of-18 shooting in a 69-68 loss to Theodore Roosevelt. He averaged 11.3 points per game overall.

GENE ANDERSON, COOLIDGE (DC) 2023 FORWARD

He’s still raw offensively, but there’s a spot on any college team for Anderson’s athleticism, relentless motor and defensive instincts.

The 6-foot-8 Anderson is a true game-changer on the defensive end of the floor, highlighted by his efforts in a Friday afternoon loss to Patriot (Va.). He was officially credited with six blocks but may actually have had twice that many, and had countless more he affected or just prevented altogether. He also grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds in the contest. He followed up that effort with 17 points, 15 boards and three blocks against Maret’s massive front line of 6’7 Amanuel Tucker and 6’8 Malchiah Marable. He finished the weekend with averages of 7.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and three blocks per game.

Anderson started his high school career at HD Woodson and was at Archbishop Carroll before COVID-19 scuttled that season. He spent last year at HA Prep Academy in Durham, NC before returning to DC for his final season. He should end up on plenty of college radars before he’s done.

LAFAYETTE WILLIAMS, COOLIDGE (DC) 2023 GUARD

Following the graduations of leading scorer Kyle Gaskins (Assumption College), star forward Steph Walker (Robert Morris) and versatile Amare Curtis (Elizabeth City State), the Colts are looking for players to pick up some scoring slack, and Williams looks to be staking an early claim.

The 5-foot-9 guard posted a team-high 12.5 points per game and also dished out a team-leading 3.75 assists per game, displaying the ability to create for himself and others. 

EMMANUEL OKITONDO, ARCHBISHOP CARROLL (DC) 2024 WING

Okitondo started slow - as his whole team did - in an opening 70-50 loss to Jackson-Reed on Friday, but rebounded to post a team-high 14 points, 10 rebounds and the deciding bucket in a 59-57 victory over Patriot on Saturday. He finished with 12.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game for the weekend.

The 6-foot-8 Okitondo absolutely oozes potential, and if he can put it together consistently should be in line for a breakout junior season.

DAVID BUMPASS, FRIENDSHIP TECH PREP (DC) 2025 GUARD

Bumpass was our DMVelite DC Freshman Of The Year after a very strong debut in the winter, and he’s carried that momentum into the spring/summer with DC Premier and Tech Prep.

The smooth 6-foot-3 wing averaged 16.5 points per game at Sidwell to lead a young but very talented Titans squad. He went for 26 points in a loss to Gonzaga on Sunday.

DEREK DIXON, GONZAGA (DC) 2025 GUARD

Dixon’s ability to fill it up in a hurry makes him one of the most dangerous scoring threats - and one of my favorite players to watch - in the area 2025 class. He doesn’t need a lot of space to get his shot off, and has the size to simply shoot over smaller defenders.

The 6-foot-4 Dixon hit 12 3-pointers and averaged a team-high 16.3 points per game to lead the Purple Eagles to a perfect 4-0 record at Sidwell.

THOMAS BATTIES, GONZAGA (DC) 2023 FORWARD

The 6-foot-7 Batties’ biggest strength is his versatility on both ends of the floor, and he had it on display at Sidwell, averaging 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game - leading the team in the latter two categories.

NYK LEWIS, GONZAGA (DC) 2025 GUARD

With Devin Dinkins off to George Mason, it's Lewis’ show to run at the point, and he’s more than capable.

The 6-foot-2 Lewis is already in the conversation for the area’s top point guard, with a nice blend of speed, strength and vision. He posted 12.3 points and a team-leading 2.5 assists per game to lead his team to a 4-0 mark at DC Live.

DAVID KING, HAYFIELD (VA) 2023 FORWARD

Put King in any setting and he’ll produce, and that was the case again at Sidwell.

The 6-foot-2 forward led the Hawks in scoring at 17.5 points per game and tied for the team lead in rebounding at 6.8. He opened DC Live with 15 and 7 against a long and athletic St. John’s front line in a tough 49-47 loss, and followed with 20 points in a win over Friendship Tech Prep.

King had a breakout junior season while helping Hayfield to an unbeaten state championship campaign in the winter. His height has scared some schools away, but he has begun to attract some Division II interest. Again: all he does is produce.

GREG JONES, HAYFIELD (VA) 2023 WING

Jones was another Hawk who broke out last season during their title run, establishing himself as a bonafide Division I prospect.

Following the graduation of several key backcourt pieces, Jones has the bullseye on him from opposing defenders, but it's a role he’s seemed to embrace. The playmaking 6-foot-6 wing averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3 assist per game at Sidwell.

There’s a lot to like about Jones’ game. Towson offered on Sunday, and certainly won’t be the last. 

DJ HOLLOWAY, HAYFIELD (VA) 2023 GUARD

Like Jones, Holloway will also be needed to carry a larger load following the graduations of key players Ashton Pratt (Virginia Union) and Braylon Wheeler (IMG Academy).

The explosive 6-foot-1 guard is seasoned and tough, and has the attributes to be one of the area’s top perimeter defenders next winter. He averaged 8.5 points, 2.5 assists and 2.8 steals  per game for the weekend.

LATRELL ALLMOND, JOHN MARSHALL (VA) 2026 FORWARD

The Richmond powerhouse just keeps reloading, and they’ve got another good one in the 6-foot-8 Allmond, who led the event in both rebounds (14.3) and blocks (5) per game, while also averaging 12.5 points and shooting 57 percent from the field. 

Allmond closed the weekend with 11 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks in a 67-41 win over St. John’s in Sunday’s last game.

There’s a lot to like about Allmond, and seeing as how he’s picked up scholarship offers from Georgetown, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, North Carolina State, Rutgers and Texas A&M just since Sunday, I’m not the only one who feels that way.

DENNIS PARKER, JR., JOHN MARSHALL (VA) 2023 GUARD

Parker is one of the top players in the state of Virginia - with offers from the likes of Kansas, Penn State, Texas A&M and Xavier - and its easy to see why.

The 6-foot-6 Parker got whatever looks he wanted offensively en route to an event-high 18.8 points per game as the Justices went 4-0.

ALEX MOSTASHARI, MARET (DC) 2024 WING

The 6-foot-4 Mostashari opened with 15 points in a Friday afternoon victory over Bard, and consistently lit opposing defenses up from long range.

Mostashari hit 15 total 3-pointers as the Frogs went 3-1 in the event, including seven in a win over Friendship Collegiate. He averaged a team-high 14.5 points per game for the weekend.

AMANUEL TUCKER, MARET (DC) 2023 CENTER

Tucker opened with 14 points and 11 boards in a win over Bard, and looked even more confident and aggressive in a 63-60 win over Coolidge on Saturday morning, posting 18 points and 9 rebounds to help the Frogs hold on for a nice victory.

TERRELL WEBSTER, MCKINLEY TECH (DC) 2023 GUARD

Webster has a deserved reputation as a talented scorer, but he showed he’s willing to contribute in a variety of ways. He averaged 15.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and an event-high 3.8 steals per game for the Trainers. 

DEZMOND HOPKINS, PATRIOT (VA) 2024 GUARD

Hopkins posted 18 points in an impressive comeback victory over Coolidge on Friday, as the Pioneers rallied from 15 points down to pull out a 59-53 victory.

Hopkins posted a team-high 12 points per game at Sidwell.

NASIR COLEMAN, PATRIOT (VA) 2023 GUARD

Coleman was also key in Patriot’s rally against Coolidge, finishing with 17 points and 7 assists - to just two turnovers.

“We just had to fight against adversity,” Coleman said. “We knew we had to get stops on defense, and had to just lock in and play tough defense and get stops and get to our offense.”

The 6-foot Coleman enjoyed a breakout season last winter that saw Patriot go unbeaten before falling in the playoffs to archrival Battlefield. That loss has provided plenty of motivation going forward.

“It's just get back time,” he said. “We lost in our last game to Battlefield by a game-winning shot. So it's just get back time, and we’re trying to get back to where we were last year.”

DAQUAN DAVIS, ST. JOHN’S (DC) 2024 GUARD

The highly-touted Davis made his DC debut for the Cadets Friday, and the transfer from St. Frances (Md.) didn’t disappoint.

Davis posted a game-high 19 points and went 4-of-6 from 3-point range in a thrilling 49-47 win over Hayfield, hitting the deciding free throws in the final seconds.

“It’s new,” Davis said of his adjustment to the Cadets. “I’ve got to adjust to it but I feel like I’ve been doing it pretty well with the scrimmages we’ve been having. I think we’re going to have a good season. I feel like we can compete in the WCAC and we might have a chance to win it.”

Davis said he made the move to St. John’s because he felt it would be a better opportunity for him. The 6-foot-1, 177-pounder is another intriguing piece for SJC coach Pat Behan. He averaged a team-leading 15.8 points per game at Sidwell, along with 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2 assists.

DONOVAN FREEMAN, ST. JOHN’S (DC) 2024 FORWARD

Freeman has seen his recruitment blow up in the past year - Maryland, Norfolk State, Ole Miss, Rutgers and Texas have offered just this month - and he’s enjoying the process.

“Man, it’s been surreal, but it’s been fun,” he said after a 49-47 win over Hayfield Friday. “I’m just embracing it all. I’m just blessed and I’m speechless.”

The 6-foot-9 Freeman had his weekend end early due to injury, but it was easy to see the physical tools that coaches like.

”I just want to show my growth,” he said. “Some coaches saw me when I was younger and last year at the live period, and I just want coaches to see my growth and that I’m getting better and just growing as a player and as a young man.”

MALIK MACK, ST. JOHNS (DC) 2023 GUARD

Mack enjoyed a breakout junior season, earning First Team All-WCAC recognition. He’s primed to take his game to another level, and the offers have been rolling in steady since his performance at Sidwell.

The 6-foot-2 Mack averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists - to just one turnover - in four games over the weekend. My favorite aspect of his game is his pace - he’s always under control. Hofstra, George Mason, George Washington, Northeastern, Ole Miss , Radford, Rhode Island, Towson and Vermont have all extended scholarship offers since the start of DC Live last Friday.

KE’MARI POINTER, THEODORE ROOSEVELT (DC) 2025 GUARD

Another talented young guard in a long line of them for Roosevelt coach Rob Nickens. Pointer did a little bit of everything for the Rough Riders, posting 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2 steals per game. He posted 27 of his team’s 50 points in a loss to John Marshall Sunday afternoon.

EVENT NOTES: Theodore Roosevelt (DC) 2023 guard Desontay Cook posted the weekend’s lone triple double, going for 12 points, 13 rebounds and an event-high 11 steals in a 62-42 win over Chavez on Sunday morning. … Sidwell debuted its two new transfer additions at the event: 2025 guard Acaden Lewis (St. John’s) and 2024 guard Jake Williams (Bishop O’Connell). They averaged 5 and 4.7 points per game, but looked more comfortable by the game and should carve out important roles.

ADDITIONAL STANDOUTS

Jarez Barron, Cesar Chavez (DC) 2024 Guard
Kaden Bates, Patriot (VA) 2023 Guard
Neko Bethea, Coolidge (DC) 2023 Guard
David Bolding, Coolidge (DC) 2023 Guard
Marvin Brimage, Jackson-Reed (DC) 2023 Guard
Daniel Bumpass, Friendship Tech Prep (DC) 2025 Guard

Jawuan Carter, Theodore Roosevelt (DC) 2024 Forward
Farrell Crowell, Archbishop Carroll (DC) 2023 Guard
Phillip Crowell, Archbishop Carroll (DC) 2024 Guard
Dion Dunnington, McKinley Tech (DC) 2023 Guard
Jaiden Gladney, Jefferson (WV) 2024 Guard
Daniel Grissom, Friendship Collegiate (DC) 2023 Guard
Antwan Gross, McKinley Tech (DC) 2023 Forward
DJ Hill, Maret (DC) 2026 Guard
JaMari Jenkins, Jefferson (WV) 2025 Guard
Teriq Johnson, Ballou (DC) 2023 Guard
Taliano King, Cesar Chavez (DC) 2024 Guard
Garrison Kisner, Morgantown (WV) 2023 Forward
Jelani Lee, St. Albans (DC) 2025 Guard
Landon Mills, St. Albans (DC) 2024 Guard
Andy Ramirez, Hayfield (VA) 2023 Wing
Ryan Sabol, Gonzaga (DC) 2023 Guard
Will Shively, Jefferson (WV) 2023 Wing
Darnell Thomas, Friendship Tech Prep (DC) 2024 Wing
Damari Thompson, Bard (DC) 2023 Guard
Damon Thompson, Jr., John Marshall (VA) 2024 Guard
Isaiah Vick, Patriot (VA) 2024 Forward
Omari Witherspoon, Archbishop Carroll (DC) 2025 Guard
Sharron Young, Morgantown (WV) 2024 Guard