DC Premier Upgrades for NYBL

DC Primer 2019

As most savvy youth basketball fans well know, the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area is loaded with elite basketball talent.  Obviously, where you find elite individual talent, you also find elite teams. Arguably the top 2019 team in the area is the Under Armour-sponsored D.C. Premiere (DCP). Although they flew a bit under the national radar this past season, with key returning players, plus the acquisition of some nice pieces, Coach John Perry is preparing his squad to win a NYBL National Championship. 

With little fan fair, DCP enjoyed decent success in 2014 with a big win at Boo Williams’ Nike Elite Tourney, and their AAU Regional title in April.  In addition, DCP demonstrated their potential last year at the King James Shooting Star Classic where they took a loaded All-Ohio Red team right down to the wire before allowing a close game to slip away late in the quarterfinals (39-45 final).  After their 9^th place finish at the AAU Nationals this summer (defeated Texas Express Elite 53-50) it was clear DCP would be a team to be reckoned with going forward.  Most recently, DCP went undefeated in the Largo High School JV League playing up against older kids. During there run to the champioship, they took down a very competitive Team Takeover.

Makhi Mitchell, Marvin Price, Makhel Mitchell, Christian DePollar & Sharif Kenny

Fast forward to 2015 and DC Primer’s roster will include 6 players who are ranked among  the NYBL’s Top 100 payer rankings. DCP will again be anchored by twin towers Mekhi (6’7/WF/MD), and Mikhel Mitchell (6’7/C/MD). The Mitchell twins are a dynamic duo that will give DCP one of the biggest frontcourts in the class. Key returnees for DCP include: Casey Morsell (5’11/SG/MD), Tiger Simms (6’2/WF/MD), Evan Buckley (5’10/SG/VA), Anwar Gill 6'2/WF/DC), Preston Bacon (5'10/PG/VA) and Mike Sumner Jr. (5'9/PG/MD/2020). New to the team this upcoming season will be Marvin Price (6’4/WF/MD) and Christian DePollar (6’4/WF/MD). In terms of Sherif Kinney, according to Coach Perry, he (Kenny) will float between both the 2018 and 2019 teams. We had the opportunity watch DePollar, Price and Kenny this season and we were very impressed with their talent. 

As currently constructed, DC Premier is legitimately among the top 3-4 teams in the nation in 2019, and has a great opportunity at a NYBL National Championship.  Having been exposed to the NYBL late last season, Coach Perry is looking forward to his team participating in the elite league. "Every weekend we expect to face tough battles," said Perry.  "We will have to bring our A game every week. All those teams [in the NYBL] finished high at the [AAU] Nationals last year.  The league made them battled tested," continued Perry. Not only was Perry impressed with the competition the NYBL had to offer, he also recognized the camaraderie and relationships between the players, parents and coaches. "It was like a big family,"  offered Perry.  "The kids and teams were very close knit.  That's what I want for my kids," Perry said. The addition of DC Premier to an already competitive league will create some great match-ups and some very compelling games. Can't wait!