Written By: Diego Aguillen
Our Capitol Hoops Summer League Player of the Week is Gabe Colston, and the honorable mentions are Donovan “Donny” Wright, Brayden Whitaker, Nash Avery, Landon Scott, and Rowan O’ Brien.
Gabe Colston–Player of the Week
Gabe Colston is a 6-foot-4 guard in the Class of 2027 who plays for Team Takeover in AAU. Gabe this week played only one game which was the win over St. John’s 67-58. He dropped 29 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block. Colston is averaging 28 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He is averaging almost 30 points a game and these games are a regularity for him as he has had three 30-point games this summer. He has helped lead Kennedy to a 5-3 record this summer. Colston’s strength as a shooter is his quick release, which makes him hard to defend. On the defensive end, he uses his quick feet, allowing him to also be a premier defender. This is his second player of the week and will add to an already full trophy case of awards and honors he has earned, including Montgomery County Player of the Year, 2nd Team Maryland All-State, and 4th Team All-Met. These awards were earned during a great junior season in which he averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block per game. So far, he has shown that he will continue to add more awards to his trophy case and compete for the MVP of summer league. The Cavaliers are the No.11 seed in the Capitol Hoops Summer League playoffs and will face off against the No. 22 Loyola Blakefield on June 24 at DeMatha Catholic High School where all of the main bracket playoffs are at as the non-invited tournament are at Hayfield.
Players of the Week: Donovan Wright–DeMatha
Donovan “Donny” Wright is a 6-foot-1 guard, class of 2027, and plays for Virginia Elite on the AAU circuit. Offensively, he is a true three-level scorer, he can create offense from anywhere. Wright leads the Stags in scoring at 14.1 points per game and is converting an impressive 64.4% of his field goal attempts which is a team best. Defensively, Wright remains one of DeMatha’s most trusted perimeter defenders. This summer he is averaging 1.6 steals per game and routinely accepts the challenge of guarding the opposition’s top offensive player. Donny played two games this week and combined for 30 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block helping lead the Stags (7-1) to a 2-0 record this week defeating Purple Storm (DOZA) 114-52 and Spalding 70-65. Wright’s highlight game came against the Cavaliers where he dropped 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block. DeMatha has a bye in the playoffs as it is a top 8 seed in the tournament and will play on June 30 and awaits the winner of the first round matchup with No. 21 Sandy Spring vs No.13 Hayfield Hawks.
Brayden Whitaker–Boys’ Latin
Brayden Whitaker is a 5-foot-11 guard in the class of 2029 and plays for Team Thrill in AAU ball. Offensively his strength is his ability to create plays where others could not like making tight passes and creating very tough shots. This is all through his drive and kick ability. Defensively his strength is never backing down from defensive assignment no matter who it is. Brayden only played one game this week but had a performance to remember, scoring 25 points, 2 steals, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in the nail biting victory over RM 74-71. In his first summer league campaign, he is averaging 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. The rising sophomore leads the team in free throw percentage at 75%. Boys’ Latin at 3-5 did not qualify for the playoffs but the future is definitely bright for this guard if he is already making that kind of impact as an underclassmen.
Nash Avery–Spalding
Nash Avery is a 6-foot-9 forward in the class of 2028 and plays for Team Melo after former NBA player and Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony. Nash is one of the most gifted prospects in Maryland at his size. To have a combination of athleticism, speed, vertical leap and versatility is very rare. This offensively allows him to play off the bounce which is his ability to create off the dribble. Defensively his strengths are his ability to use his long wingspan to get blocks and reach in for the steals. Nash in two games this week combined for 34 points, 21 rebounds, 6 blocks, 4 assists, 3 steals leading the Cavaliers to a 1-1 record this week defeating The Brook 75-70 and losing to DeMatha 65-70. His highlight game came in the win over Brook where he had a double-double that included 24 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. This was his first of two double-doubles as he had one in the loss to the Stags where he had 10 points and 10 rebounds. In his first summer league season the rising junior is averaging a double-double as he has 5 of those this year with 17.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals. The four star recruit and the No. 21 player in the Sportscenter Next Poll leads the team in rebounds, steals, blocks, and points per game. Spalding at 5-3 made neither the main playoffs bracket nor the non-invited tournament but with players like Nash Avery, they are bound for success.
Landon Scott–Saint Stephen’s & Saint Agnes
Landon Scott is a 6-foot-3 guard in the class of 2028 who plays for team A-LO on the AAU circuit. Offensively his strengths his ability to shoot with such consitency once he gets hot from one spot either from mid range or from 3 point range. Defensively his strengths is his ability to pressure ball handlers and force turnovers and mistakes. Landon in one game this week achieved a personal high in points scoring 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists this was in the win over Patriot 66-50. In his third summer league campaign he averaged 6.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. The rising junior leads the team in field goal percentage at 41%, and in assists. The Saints at 4-4 did not qualify for playoffs but with performances like that to end the season it can only trend up for this
young guard and this team.
Rowan O’ Brien–Vikes (Walt Whitman)
Rowan O’ Brien is a 6-foot-3 guard in the class of 2029 and plays for Team Durant on the AAU circuit. Offensively what stands out is his ability to connect from beyond the arc and his IQ that allows him to not jack up threes when its not falling. Defensively he plays with a high motor that allows him to play with relentless energy, effort and intensity that allows him to pressure ball handlers and always play hard defense. Rowan played one game this week as well as some of his peers on this list which was the team’s win over St. Mary’s Annapolis 67-61. In the game the rising sophomore just falls short of a double-double with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists. In his second summer league run he averaged 10.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Walt Whitman finished the season at .500 with a 4-4 record but did not advance into either playoffs. Although with young talent like this, the Vikes are bound for success.
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