St. Mary’s Ryken High School senior Wynston Tabbs, front row third from right, recently signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Boston College. Watching Tabbs sign in the front row, from left, are Tabbs’ mentor/trainer Stanley Hodge, brother Victor Tabbs, late father Thomas Tabbs (in photo frame), mother Rose Tabbs, cousin Dexter Korto and brother Chris Tabbs. In the back row are St. Mary’s Ryken weight trainer Darius Hyman, left, head boys basketball coach Walter Booth and athletic director BJ Pumroy.
With sunlight streaming into the St. Mary's Ryken gymnasium, Knights senior Wynston Tabbs drops in a three-pointer during a recent practice.
St. Mary’s Ryken senior Wynston Tabbs, who recently signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Boston College, releases a jumper at a recent practice.
St. Mary’s Ryken High School senior Wynston Tabbs, front row third from right, recently signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Boston College. Watching Tabbs sign in the front row, from left, are Tabbs’ mentor/trainer Stanley Hodge, brother Victor Tabbs, late father Thomas Tabbs (in photo frame), mother Rose Tabbs, cousin Dexter Korto and brother Chris Tabbs. In the back row are St. Mary’s Ryken weight trainer Darius Hyman, left, head boys basketball coach Walter Booth and athletic director BJ Pumroy.
Wynston Tabbs has long been recognized by St. Mary’s County for his basketball skills, and one of those who has noticed is Division I Boston College, which recently offered the St. Mary’s Ryken High School senior a national letter of intent.
“I’m very excited to be playing in the ACC,” said the Suitland resident. “It’s going to be a bit of a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m super excited for him,” St. Mary’s Ryken first-year head coach Walter Booth said. “I think it’s great that he will play in the Atlantic Coast Conference against top-notch competition. His play in the [Nike Elite Youth Basketball League circuit] has prepared him, I think he’s ready for the opportunity and I think it’s great for the program.”
Tabbs, who plans to major in business, said Boston College stood out over other suitors such as West Virginia University, Rutgers, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of South Florida.
“When I took [my official visit] they made me feel like family,” he said. “I really connected with the team and they took me in and the campus really reminded me of D.C. a little bit.”
Last year, Boston College compiled a 9-23 record (2-16 ACC). This year, the Eagles started 3-0 and are currently 5-3 overall after a 71-62 loss at Nebraska on Wednesday night in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Boston College is at the University of Hartford on Saturday.
Boston College has been to the NCAA basketball tournament 18 times.
“I just like their playing style,” said the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Tabbs, who was recruited as a point guard. “I trust the process.”
Tabbs, who has been named The Enterprise’s All-County boys basketball Athlete of the Year the past two seasons, has scored more than 1,000 points in his Knights’ career.
“He’s a tough-nosed leader,” Booth said. “And as a point guard he’s ready to lead his team and he’s able to impact a game at both ends of the court. And he’s helping his teammates get better.”
Last year, St. Mary’s Ryken was 16-14 overall (9-9 WCAC) and graduated three players. This year’s 12-man roster includes five seniors: Tabbs, guards Jonathan Pappas and D’Angelo Tull and forwards Lelan Eackles and Servet Kurnaz and nine players 6-foot-2 or taller.
Tabbs and Booth have lofty goals heading into 2017, which begins Saturday when the Knights play John Carroll of Baltimore County in the WCAC/BCL Challenge at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
“Definitely to win a WCAC championship and I also want to win [All-County] player of the year and hopefully McDonald’s All-American,” he said. “But definitely win a WCAC championship, that’s my one and only goal. I’m ready, and we’re working hard every day.”
“My goals are to win a WCAC championship,” Booth said. “Right now [our senior] guys all have a high level of experience and I think they can help lead some of the other young players. I think the key will just be understanding my philosophy of the defensive end, playing with motor, playing with pace and playing together and sharing the ball and trusting each other.”
Twitter: @SOMDhabsfan
Twitter: @SOMDhabsfan
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