Metro Challenge 60 Recap: Plenty Of Terps Targets

Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

This past weekend TSMD was on site at DeMatha Catholic High School to watch some of the DMV’s more elite prospects come to play against one another in an open environment. The games featured the top local talent from classes 2015 through 2017, playing three games apiece against one another and receiving some instruction from local AAU and high school coaches.

In all, there were some performers who played as well as expected who are also on the Terps radar, as well as a few guys that might be worth looking into moving forward.

1.) Bryant Crawford, Gonzaga

Crawford was easily the best shooting guard present at DeMatha this weekend, as evidenced by his 27 points (10-of-19 overall, 5-of-10 from three) in his first game. Playing for Team Olapido (all teams were named after local stars), Crawford meshed well with DeMatha stud DJ Harvey and fellow top recruit Leroy Butts, and was able to knock down shots from pretty much everywhere. He also showed off a solid ability to finish in the paint.

Maryland isn’t really a factor in this one right now, though he does hold an offer…

2.) De’Monte Buckingham, Henrico

Buckingham is a recent Terps offer, and while Maryland may currently be one of the only big name on the list, look for that to change after this summer. Buckingham put together a very complete performance over the weekend, showing off great rebounding ability, scoring, and a propensity for finding open shooters.

Buckingham finished with perhaps the best overall performance of the tournament during the 11 o’clock game against Team Oladipo with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Buckingham managed to grab six offensive rebounds and scored off quick putbacks and fastbreak points. He played both ways and while he may be listed at 6’3, 185 lbs, he is a lot stronger than that and plays much bigger as well.

Very complimentary of Maryland but holds offer from UVA as well, more to come on that later…

3.) Joe Hampton, DeMatha

Hampton looked plenty happy playing in his own environment over the weekend, and continues to improve and become a consistent presence on the floor. The 6’8 forward put together a 16 point, 10 rebound performance against incredibly gifted big man Marcus Derrickson. Hampton has phenomenal footwork for a guy his size and some of the softest hands around the rim you’ll find. Hampton also has range that extends to the three point line.

He still needs to work on his stamina, as his play is noticeably reduced on back-to-back games. Nonetheless, Hampton is a very good prospect and continues to develop rapidly for someone his age. Also had nothing but complimentary things to say about the Terps.

4.) Randall Broddie, Potomac

Broddie took the area by storm this year and helped guide his high school to a state championship. The 6’2 guard is a speedy shooter through and through, and finished with 18 points in one game, and 13 points in the other while playing alongside Joe Hampton. Broddie likes to take threes, plain and simple, regardless of whether they’re going in or not (though they typically do).

Broddie likes to play the game at a fervent pace and use a nice crossover to get to the rim at will. He can get a little out of control at times, but overall is a fantastic player on the court. Broddie told me he hasn’t heard much from Maryland lately, and he may have reclassified in the past, suggesting he’s older than the average sophomore.

5.) Joshua Reaves and Jamaal King, Paul VI and Bishop O’Connell

Neither Reaves nor King hold offers from Maryland, but both play for rival schools in the WCAC and both impressed substantially over the weekend. Reaves strikes you as the ultimate glue guy, ready to do anything and everything for the team as well as score. He also showed off an added three point shot that makes him even more dangerous when combined with his length and athleticism.

Meanwhile, King is set to take over the point guard duties at Bishop O’Connell once Terps commit Melo Trimble departs. At 5’10, he may not be the biggest recruit out there, but he’s very heady and has a fantastic shot from deep. King scored 21 points during one game and it was almost as if no one knew he was even on the court. That’s his effect, and I expect him to get a lot more looks over the summer and following season.