Snapshots, Pt. 9

Ron Bailey, Publisher

September 28, 2007 - Back by popular demand is the Snapshots Series - a collection of short write-ups on players you might be aware of, and many you probably aren’t.

Washington, in white, at the Crab City Fall Classic

Derek Washington, junior point guard, 6’0”, 150 pounds – Washington has transferred from D.C.’s M.M. Washington High School to the city’s Coolidge High School, following his coach, Vaughan Jones in the process. The Colts now have a lightening quick guard that can penetrate, dish, defend, and hit the midrange jumper.

Currently, Washington is receiving high major interest from the likes of Kansas State, George Washington, West Virginia, and Syracuse, while solid mid-major George Mason has also inquired.

Playing for Jones and with the DC Assault organization, expect Derek, or ‘Dirky’ as he’s known to those around him, to work on his strength, and expand the range of his outside shot. In doing so, Washington has the potential to be a player of note in major college hoops.

Greg Whitaker (right), and W.T. Woodson's coach, Douglass Craig.

Greg Whitaker, senior power forward, 6’6”, 220 pounds – A standout at W.T. Woodson (Fairfax, VA), Whitaker possesses good size, balance, strength, and a propensity to run the floor relentlessly. Greg also displays a good shooting touch around the cup.

His high school coach, Douglass Craig, lauded Whitaker for “always playing very hard” and using his body well when attacking the rim and rebounding. Craig expressed “I’d like to see him improve his footwork”, while Greg shared “I probably need to work on attacking the rim” out of face up position.

Those improvements should energize Whitaker’s recruitment, which Craig defined as currently “low major, and Division II and III” institutions.

Jarred Jones at Hoop Magic's Back to School Showcase, where he starred.

Jarred Jones, freshman forward, 6’5”ish, 170 lbs – Not to saddle Jones with unfair expectations, but Jones could be one of the next great ones to come out of Baltimore, aka the Charm City.

Still somewhat slight – as most incoming freshman are – Jones has a fundamental-based maturity to his game that’s truly rare for a young player. He’s been taught the game well by his family and coaches, including Carlton “Bubb” Carrington of Team Melo. Things such as sealing his man on post up shots, challenging shooters arm extended up, not out, as well as boxing out, passing to the open man, protecting the ball in face up situations, and filling lanes are all part of Jones’ repertoire.

Going forward, those lessons will be augmented by Anthony Macri, the junior varsity coach at John Carroll, Jones’ high school. Macri gushes when asked to describe Jarred. He has “great hands and footwork, is long and athletic” said the coach and teacher. “He’s a young player who will need to get stronger, especially in his core, but he can face up or play back to the basket. Has great range on his jumper, though he needs to get his release point higher”.

Jones also needs to tighten up his ball handling skills, but that will surely come. Jarred works well with teammates – the Team Melo staff led by Darrell Corbett has it no other way – and excels academically, as Macri shared Jared is a “Great student taking honors classes as a freshman at JC”.

Bruce Litttles (leaning), in Crab City Fall Classic play.

Bruce Littles, freshman forward, 6’4”, 200 pounds – Easily the Crab City Fall Classic’s surprise, Littles turned many a head, rising from seemingly nowhere to pound rims with authority.

A resident of Northeast, Washington, DC, Littles attends the city’s Coolidge High School, where he’s being taught the game by Vaughan Jones, himself a DC area standout who went on to star at George Washington University.

Presently, Jones indicated Littles’ strongpoint in hoops are his “explosion” and the ability to “finish with either hand”, while Bruce’s “handle” mid range jump shot, and on-court instincts/knowledge are points of necessary improvement.

If Littles follows Jones’ instructions and advice, he can become one of the best players in the DC area. Without a doubt.