2021 Maryland Stock Risers

We’ve been covering DMV basketball for 15 years now and this area has consistently been loaded with immense talent.  The 2021 class is no exception, the class is loaded with talent and whether top five or top 50 each player has something special to offer at the next level.  Here is a break down of some of the top player, new comers and stock risers. <strong>2021 Maryland Stock Risers</strong> <strong>#2 [player_tooltip player_id="202349" first="Nia" last="Ford"] - 6’1 - Wing - Douglass</strong> [caption id="attachment_191768" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-191768" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0003-scaled-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="202349" first="Nia" last="Ford"][/caption]Nia is the best player in the region not named Azzi.  She emerged on our radar a couple years ago after winning the MVP award at the DMV Turf Wars.  She was a talented player then but her game has matured tremendously since.  Even over the last six months she has grown from a high major division one player to All-American status.  Unfortunately, because of COVID-19 affect on the evaluation period she is probably the nations most underrated player.  She has a college frame and the skill and strength to skip her senior year of high school and contribute now.  Her shooting range is more that adequate and she has a perfect form from deep.  Her ability to get to the basket in one to two dribbles and finish makes her truly special.  She has a tremendously quick first step and can play any position one through five. <strong>#8 [player_tooltip player_id="202350" first="Daria" last="Douglas"] - 6’3" - Post - Putman Science Academy</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-195640" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Daria-Douglas-scaled-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Daria reclassed from the 2020 class where she held down the middle at National Christian Academy.  She is long, athletic and an exceptional shot blocker that has shown the ability to be offensively effective at the wing.  She has a soft touch out to the mid range and can attack off the dribble.  One on one she matches up well with posts, wings and some guards. <strong>#14 [player_tooltip player_id="202573" first="Zy’Aire" last="Hairston"] - 5’8" - Point Guard - Dunbar</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-193085" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Zyaire-Hairston-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /> Zy’Aire is an excellent point guard with incredible vision.  She has great vision and sees plays well before they actually develop.  She is a playmaker that makes her teammates better.  She has a nice handle and penetrates the lane keeping her eyes scanning for the dish.  She tends to look for the pass first but has the ability to score from outside and attack the basket and finish.  She could dominate in the DCIAA if she decided to look take over games. <strong>#15 [player_tooltip player_id="84421" first="Sarah" last="Austin"] - 5’9" - Point Guard - National Christian Academy</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-202977" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/09/Sarah-Austin-scaled-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Sarah is a natural leader on the floor.  She has a high IQ and doesn’t mind sharing her knowledge with others as she can be seen helping players improve.  She may have a career in coaching after her playing days are over but for know she’s a college level point guard that typically gets more assists than points.  I can see her scoring output increasing this season as her shot has improved tremendously over the quarantine and she’s finishing great at the rim. <strong>#26 [player_tooltip player_id="136458" first="Makayla" last="Waleed"] - 5’8" - Guard - Pallotti</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-193083" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Makayla-Waleed-2-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /> Makayla is an etremely athletic guard that showed her ability to dominate the floor during the DC Premier intrasquad scrimmage.  She is a scorer that has gotten very efficient over the last year.  There was some rumbling about her taking her talent to RBS before their colapse but it seems the return to Pallotti will happen and we are anticipating huge numbers in the shortened season.