Top 5 Uncommitted Centers (MD)

While the majority of the players listed did not play the center position in high school, this top five is meant to make each player’s case to be recruited for the center position at the collegiate level. Much like the WNBA, the college game is changing which has created the demand for lengthy front-court players who can also shoot the three. All of these players either fit that mold or can with time and coaching, therefore scouts should keep all of these athletes on their watchlists.   #5| 2021 6-1 C/F [player_tooltip player_id="136417" first="Jessica" last="Singletary"] – Bishop McNamara – Elevate Elite Jessica is a tenacious defender who has phenomenal basketball instincts. She’s a very good overall rebounder and she brings one hundred percent effort and energy on both ends of the court. There’s some room for improvement with her shooting and ball handling skill, however, her primary roles are off the ball anyways and in those she always thrives. Scouts should most certainly keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id="136417" first="Jessica" last="Singletary"].     #4| 2021 6-2 C/F [player_tooltip player_id="136442" first="Jasmine" last="Johnson"] – St. Timothy’s – Team Takeover If you’re looking for consistency in the paint on both ends of the floor then look no further. [player_tooltip player_id="136442" first="Jasmine" last="Johnson"] is one of the best two way players of her class and she is certainly the hardest working. Jasmine can handle the ball and finish with both hands, and her incredible length makes her a terror on defense. She’s not afraid to close out and block shots and she can even handle the ball well and finish in transition. If Jasmine develops more consistent mid-range and three point jump shots then she could potentially become an elite player on a power five conference program. If scouts are still timid about Jasmine’s abilities then this analysis serves to fully endorse Jasmine’s division one recruitment because her skills and potential are more than worthy of it.     #3| 2021 5-11 C/F [player_tooltip player_id="136446" first="Ava" last="Haraldsson"] – Bethesda Chevy Chase – Germantown Lady Panthers [player_tooltip player_id="136446" first="Ava" last="Haraldsson"] is primarily a wing-playing forward who handles the ball a lot at the high school level, however, as she grows and develops there is no doubt that her frame will be enough to play primarily in the front-court at the next level. Ava’s potential really is off the charts and the primary reason for that is the tandem of her height and her three point jump shot. Her lanky build gives her shot a Delle Donne-like release and she is extremely efficient at picking her spots and taking her shots. Ava also showcases her talents as a member of the 18u Icelandic national team, which only further supplants her position as a top front-court player in her class. Scouts, do not forget the name [player_tooltip player_id="136446" first="Ava" last="Haraldsson"].   #2| 2021 6-1 C [player_tooltip player_id="136415" first="Bianca" last="Pendleton"] – New Hope Academy – Team Takeover After transferring from Bullis, [player_tooltip player_id="136415" first="Bianca" last="Pendleton"] really blossomed in her basketball development with New Hope Academy and their staff. She’s been rigorously training and improving amidst the bleak pandemic season, which, impressively, has only furthered her talents on the court. When asked about her strengths she said, “my strengths are being the most physical person on the court and being able to play at all three levels.” It’s clear by her recent film that Bianca is a dominant rebounder on defense, a phenomenal ball handler in transition and an even better shooter from mid-range and behind the arc. She even shoots lights out from the free-throw line and gets there a lot with her incredibly skilled post play. [player_tooltip player_id="136415" first="Bianca" last="Pendleton"] is the real deal and she should be highly recruited by a power five conference DI school as well as be present on the ESPN 100 list for her class if she is not already.   #1| 2021 6-2 C [player_tooltip player_id="88798" first="Hannah" last="Dereje"] – Elizabeth Seton School – Team Takeover [player_tooltip player_id="88798" first="Hannah" last="Dereje"] is, without question, the most pure center on this list, but she is also the best. Her post moves and sheer paint presence are both more than ready for the next level, and she also has one of the most un-guardable mid-range jump shots from the elbow that has ever been covered on Prep Girl’s Hoops. There’s no doubt that Hannah has more than enough potential to become a lights out three point shooter, which remains the only flaw in her game, and she will also continue to develop defensively. However,  it must be recognized that her blocking and rebounding abilities are already some of the best for her class, so it remains evident that [player_tooltip player_id="88798" first="Hannah" last="Dereje"] should be the most highly recruited and coveted center in all of Maryland.