After finishing the 2025–26 season with a 25–10 overall record and a 9–4 mark in the WCAC, DeMatha basketball enters the NCAA Live Period focused on showcasing its talent and helping its student-athletes gain college exposure. DeMatha opens up their DMV Live schedule on Friday, June 12 against Western Reserve.
After that opener, the team will play a doubleheader on Saturday against Spalding and Paul VI before closing with a Sunday matchup against St. Francis.
The Stags return 11 players from last season’s squad, including a veteran senior core featuring center Jared Jeffers, forwards Daniel “Danny” Abass and David Barker, wing Jonathan “Jon” Farley, and guard Donovan “Donny” Wright.
“My staff and I expect our senior leaders — Donny, Danny, and Jared — to excel in their roles and play to their strengths,” Head Coach Mike G. Jones III said. “We also expect our seniors to lead with high energy, effort, and excellence in all the small details.”
Player Profiles
Jared Jeffers | 6-11 Center | Team Takeover
Jeffers enters his second season with the Stags after transferring to DeMatha last spring. The 6-foot-11 center is a dominant interior presence whose combination of size, mobility, and touch around the basket makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in the region.
Last season, Jeffers led the team by shooting 67% at the rim while averaging 7.6 points per game, making him DeMatha’s top returning scorer behind Danny Abass. Early summer statistics indicate continued growth, as his field goal percentage has climbed to 63%, while his free throw percentage has improved from 45.5% last summer to 55.6%.
Defensively, Jeffers anchored the Stags’ interior defense, averaging 2.1 blocks per game and leading the team in recovery plays, a category that combines blocks, steals, and charges taken.
The three-star recruit, ranked as Maryland’s No. 6 player in the Class of 2027, currently holds offers from Virginia Tech, Old Dominion, Brown, and Saint Joseph’s.
“I feel like my rebounding skills are at a high level, but they can always improve,” Jeffers said. “One underrated part of my game is my passing ability. Players at my position don’t always see the floor well, but I take pride in being able to make plays for others.”
Daniel “Danny” Abass | 6-8 Forward | Team Takeover
Abass emerged as one of DeMatha’s most reliable performers last season, averaging 10.4 points per game as the Stags’ second-leading scorer. He has continued that production this summer, averaging 10 points per contest.
Offensively, Abass stretches defenses with his perimeter shooting while using his size and strength to attack the basket. Defensively, he is one of the area’s premier rebounders, leading DeMatha with 7.3 rebounds per game during both the winter season and summer competition.
The three-star recruit is currently ranked as Maryland’s No. 4 player in the Class of 2027 and holds offers from Loyola Chicago, George Mason, UNC Greensboro, Towson, and Saint Joseph’s, while continuing to attract interest from numerous Power Four programs.
“I’m a true three-and-D player and a versatile forward willing to do whatever my coaches ask to help us win,” Abass said. “My biggest strengths are my rebounding and defense because that’s what I take the most pride in and what gets me going during games.”
Jonathan “Jon” Farley | 6-6 Wing | Virginia Elite
Farley has established himself as one of DeMatha’s most efficient scorers and dangerous perimeter threats. In just 17 games last season, he shot 65% from the field and converted 90% of his layup attempts, both among the best marks on the team.
This summer, Farley is averaging 4.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game while continuing to impact the game on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, his combination of size and skill allows him to create shots over smaller defenders. Defensively, his length and athleticism enable him to generate steals and blocks while guarding multiple positions.
“I’m a very athletic player off both one and two feet,” Farley said. “I’m comfortable handling the ball in transition, running the floor, and knocking down spot-up threes.”
Donovan “Donny” Wright | 6-3 Guard | Virginia Elite
Wright enters the season as one of DeMatha’s most complete players. A true three-level scorer, he can create offense from anywhere on the floor while also taking pride in his defensive versatility.
This summer, Wright leads the Stags in scoring at 14 points per game and is converting an impressive 64.4% of his field goal attempts. His offensive growth has been significant, nearly tripling his production from last summer.
Defensively, Wright remains one of DeMatha’s most trusted perimeter defenders. Last season, he averaged 1.2 steals per game and routinely accepted the challenge of guarding the opposition’s top offensive player in WCAC competition.
“My strengths are that I impact the game in every way, both offensively and defensively,” Wright said. “I can score from all three levels. What separates me is that I’m a dog. I’ll pick up full court, crash the boards, take charges, and guard the other team’s best player.”
The other Stags seniors also provide real depth at every position with guards Richard “Rich” Patterson and Tre Mack Jr., plus wing Malik Henderson.
While the Stags return a talented senior class, the future of the program is equally bright with a trio of young guards making significant strides.
Morgan Brannigan | 6-4 Guard | Team Loaded
Brannigan enters his sophomore season after splitting time between JV and varsity last year. He has impressed throughout summer league play, averaging 10.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while displaying maturity beyond his years.
“Every day in the gym countless hours putting up shots; it’s all about the work,” Morgan Brannigan said.
Major Jones | 5-11 Guard | WE R1
Jones showed flashes of his potential last season, including a career-high 24-point performance in an upset victory over Bishop O’Connell when DeMatha was without its leading scorer.
Known for his poise and confidence, Jones is shooting 46.2% from three-point range this summer while averaging 10.4 points and 3.6 assists per game. He enters the NCAA Live Period looking to establish himself as one of the DMV’s top young guards.
“Major Jones is a kid who has an innate ability to score the ball at a very high level; he shoots it very well. He scores it very well for his size so what we are looking forward to this summer is him being able to show everyone else his ability to be a playmaker… and also finding out that he is a leader in his own way. He very much leads through play. He very much leads through having conversation with his teammates,” Associate Head Coach Isaac D. Mcneil said.
Isa Camp | 5-8 Guard | DC Assault
Camp’s speed, quickness, and playmaking ability make him a unique weapon. This summer he is averaging 6.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.
His ability to create opportunities for teammates, pressure opposing ball-handlers, and push the pace allows him to impact every facet of the game.
“Isa’s ability to be a leader and a floor general is something that is second to none. He has a special ability at that size to manipulate defenders to create passing lanes to get his teammates open. He has really worked on his pull-up jump shot and his overall three-point shooting to create space that he needs to navigate at that size, so we are looking forward to watching him control space offensively and making smart decisions getting in the lane and creating for others. And then defensively with him, we are very much looking forward to him to picking up 94 feet and controlling the pace and turning defenders and creating opportunities for his teammates,” Coach Isaac said.
DeMatha also welcomes rising senior forward David Barker, a transfer from Wise High School in Upper Marlboro who plays for the Washington Warriors on the AAU circuit.
Barker averaged 6.5 points and 3.7 rebounds last season and has made an immediate impact this summer, posting 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. At 240 pounds, Barker uses his strength and physicality to dominate the paint while providing toughness and leadership.
“I’m a hard-working player who values accountability and preparation,” Barker said. “I understand that practice, discipline, and preparation can overcome natural talent. I take pride in being coachable, learning quickly, and doing whatever is necessary to help the team succeed. Team chemistry and camaraderie are more important to me than individual recognition, which is why DeMatha is such a great fit.”
With a veteran core, emerging young talent, and a highly competitive schedule ahead, DeMatha enters the NCAA Live Period poised to attract significant attention from college programs across the country.
“Our goal during the NCAA Live Period is for our seniors to secure offers or generate significant interest from college coaches,” Jones said. “We expect multiple coaches to return in the fall to watch workouts and continue building relationships with the players they are recruiting.”
As the Stags take the floor in front of college coaches and packed gymnasiums this summer, they will have an opportunity to prove that last season’s success was only the beginning.
