Darren Buchanan, Jr 6’7 228 2022 Woodrow Wilson HS (DC) / Team Durant EYBL 16U
Darren is a physically imposing floor general at 6’7 228 pounds with a powerfully built frame, quick acceleration, and explosive leaping ability. The DCIAA Player of the Year can punish defenders with physicality and get to the rim in bullying fashion or blow by defenders with a quick crossover and an impressive burst. He can make a dribble move in stride and attacks angles decisively, once he gets you on his hip your done and help defenders are at his mercy as he can finish with floaters or stretch out his lengthy frame and finish off the glass showing a deft touch with either hand. More than likely he’s just going to explode to the rim and dunk on you! His long and powerful frame floating high above the rim as he elevates in an almost effortless manner showing his tremendous bounce.
Darren’s athleticism is off the charts and is as impressive as his chiseled frame and the fluidity in his mechanics. So violent on his dunks at the rim yet poetic in his movements. Darren has great body control and is quite shifty attacking the rim. He decelerates nicely and incorporates crossovers, behind the back and stutter-step action, and then explodes attacking space emphatically. A fantastic finisher, punishing yet crafty. Darren can knock down the jumper, more efficient on dribble pull-ups, and in the mid-range where he operates so comfortably and intelligently but he does pose a threat beyond the arc. He rarely settles for long jumpers as he is effective on dribble penetration, not only capitalizing on his strong scoring instincts but also great vision, sound passing, and decision-making skills. He can hit the catch and shoot jumper or blow by defenders with a quick rip and powerful strides and get to the rim with good quickness.
The combination of power and speed is impressive. Darren demonstrates solid defensive footwork, combines that with upper body strength, and does a very good job defending the dribble. Excellent off the ball showing very good anticipation skills in passing lanes. Not only a double-figure scorer Darren is a rebounding machine and piles up double-digit rebounding games as well. He not only has eye-popping leaping ability and strength but he is extremely quick off the floor and he has a great motor and timing for rebounds. Darren is a relentless competitor who also demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities. He jumped into the national recruiting spotlight quickly upon his arrival at Washington DC perennial power Woodrow Wilson High School helping lead the Tigers to the DC Interscholastic Athletic Association Championship during his freshman year.
As a sophomore in 2019-2020, Darren earned player of the year honors averaging double figures in points and rebounds while leading the Tigers to a 24-5 record, 11-1 in the very strong DC Interscholastic Athletic Association. Woodrow Wilson HS also went to the finals of the DC State Athletic Association Basketball Championships last season thanks in large part to Darren’s efforts. Along the way, he has picked up offers from Seton Hall, George Washington, Rhode Island, North Texas, and Bryant University. Clemson, VCU, JMU, North Carolina Central, and Rutgers are among a lengthy and growing list of schools in contact. Darren’s brother Darrius Buchanan was a three-sport star at Roosevelt High School (DC) playing football, basketball, and baseball. He is currently playing tight end at North Carolina Central University.
It’s a sure bet that Darren will also make his way into college athletics as he has already established himself as a high major basketball prospect.