Photo courtesy of Dave’s Joint
By David Cordova
Throughout the grassroots basketball season, there are plenty of showcases and plenty of teams. It is the area where many players go out to play in the hopes of landing a college scholarship. One month in particular is especially meaningful and can be a make or break month for everyone.
It’s the month of July, and that’s when many teams get prepared for the final sessions of their respective circuits and then possibly go out to places like Spooky Nook in Pennsylvania, Kansas City and Las Vegas for one final tournament to end the summer, right.
The summer season is where it’s at and it’s always time to shine, especially for the coaches employed at the school of your dreams. For many of the programs in the New York City area, there will be plenty of places and opportunities to shine.
Here are the programs and the places that they played at during the month of July:
Nike EYBL
PSA Cardinals
Program Location: Bronx, NY
Date of Existence: 2013
Pro Alumni: Chris McCullough, Cheick Diallo, Omari Spellman, Thomas Bryant (Miami Heat), Cole Anthony (Orlando Magic), Quade Green, Mohamed Bamba (Los Angeles Clippers), James Bouknight, Yves Missi (New Orleans Pelicans), Ty Jerome (Cleveland Cavaliers), Adrian Griffin, Jr.
College Alumni: Johnuel “Boogie” Fland (University of Arkansas), Mohamed Dioubate (University of Alabama), Hassan Diarra (University of Connecticut), Spencer Mahoney (University of California-Berkley), Jamal Mashburn, Jr. (Temple University), Essam Mostafa (Texas Christian University), Josh Gray (University of South Carolina), Malachi Smith (University of Dayton), Christian Bliss (University of Virginia), Jack Molloy (Yale University), Matthew Hodge (Villanova University), Jason Schofield (Marist College), Eric Ihekwaba (American University).
Throughout the Nike EYBL regular season, the Cardinals were a force to be reckoned with in the 17U division, as they went 10-5 and finished in third place in the Merritt Conference, which was good enough to qualify for the Peach Jam in North Augusta, South Carolina. Unfortunately, once they got to the biggest stage, they struggled and went winless during pool play at 0-5.
Despite the rough end to the month of July, they made plenty of noise when it came to personnel. The highly-touted duo of guards in UConn commit Darius Adams (La Lumiere School) and Kayden Mingo (Long Island Lutheran) showed that they could score the ball in bunches and made their case as two of the best guards on the circuit. Another player in the backcourt that made noise was UMass commit Danny Carbuccia (Archbishop Stepinac) who was also a bucket-getter and also a great facilitator. On the wings were players like Quinnipiac commit Keith McKnight (Hudson Catholic) and Brown commit Zoumana Traore (Millbrook School), both of whom are known for their high-leaping ability on both ends of the court. In the post were guys like Harvin Guevara (Bridgeport Prep), Quadri Bashiru (Hill School) and Quinnipiac commit Jayden Reid (Westminster School) that made a formidable trio in the paint. Another contributor in the backcourt was Taj Bryant, a recent graduate of The Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey, who will be beginning his freshman season on the Division I scene at Sacred Heart University this fall.
Another program under the PSA umbrella that fared well during the month was the 16U squad. During the regular season, the Cardinals were on a torrid pace, as they had an 11-3 record through the month of May, and would qualify for the Peach Jam. In pool play, they continued their excellence by going undefeated in all three games by beating Pro Skillz Elite, Team United and Expressions Elite, helping them get to the quarterfinals. However, for most of the game against CP3, a team they had played earlier in the regular season, they showed some grit and fight, but ultimately, could not sustain it, as their counterparts stopped their run in the second half and cruised to victory.
Despite the loss, the young Cardinals showed that there is promise for next spring and summer on the circuit, as they were buoyed by the talents of players like the Archbishop Stepinac quartet of Jasiah Jervis, Adonis Ratliff, Darius Ratliff and Hassan Kouriessi. Other notable players that made their presence felt were guards such as Dylan Mingo (Long Island Lutheran) and Jalen Grant (Roselle Catholic). In the frontcourt, alongside the Ratliff twins were players such as Jayden Hodge (St. Rose Belmar), Drew Corrao (Archbishop Carroll), Julius Avent (Bergen Catholic) and Johnny Bol (MacDuffie School).
New York Rens
Program Location: Bronx, NY
Date of Existence: 2013
Pro Alumni: Justin Wright-Foreman, Mustapha Heron, Rawle Alkins, Devonte Green, Jordan Tucker, Jordan Nwora, Hamidou Diallo, Jose Alvarado (New Orleans Pelicans), Luther Muhammad, Khalid Moore, Alan Griffin, Bryce Wills, Jalen Lecque, Kofi Cockburn, Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors), Adama Sanogo, Kyle Filipowski (Utah Jazz), Dominick Barlow.
College Alumni: R.J. Davis (University of North Carolina), Lance Ware (University of Texas-Arlington), Sam Klores (Brown University), Zach Martini (Rutgers University), Lynn Greer III (Temple University), Brandon Weston (Tennessee State University), Jordan Longino (Villanova University), Abdou Halil Barre (Duquesne University), Chisom Okpara (Harvard University), Chance Westry (Syracuse University), Denver Anglin (Rice University). Roddy Gayle, Jr. (University of Michigan), Ty-Laur Johnson (Wake Forest University), Papa Amadou Kante (University of Pittsburgh), Ladji Dembele (University of Iowa), Kyrone Alexander (Boston University), Dylan Harper (Rutgers University), Naasir Cunningham (University of Alabama), James Jones (Central Connecticut State University), Jaden Zimmerman (Quinnipiac University), Tyler Betsey (University of Cincinnati)
On the 17U scene, the Young Rens Nation had a good group of players and were a cohesive unit that went 9-6 during the regular season and finished in fifth place in the Merritt Conference and clinched their berth to the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. During pool play, they started out 0-2 after playing against tough teams such as UPlay Canada and the Oakland Soldiers, whom they lost to by close margins. But then the Renaissance regrouped by winning their final three games against the PSA Cardinals, Indy Heat & Brad Beal Elite. Despite not making it out of pool play like they did the previous two years, they showed plenty of fight and grit and determination on the floor.
In the backcourt, they had some talented players such as Vere Anthony (St. Francis Prep), Preston Edmead (Williston Northampton School), Brady Loughlin (Don Bosco Prep), Brandon Lee (The Patrick School), Nasir Rodriguez (Northfield Mount Hermon School) and Jermel “Magic Mel” Thomas (Our Saviour Lutheran), who joined the program during the month of May. That crew had a good mix of floor generals, scorers and shooters that could be efficient at any given moment.
And then there was the frontcourt of Keiner Asprilla (St. Peterβs Prep), Daniel Marcellinus (College Achieve Charter School Asbury Park) and Halon Rawlins (Nazareth), a trio of forwards known for their physicality and their ability to hold their own against in the post area. They all also were athletic players who could hold their own at the rim at any moment as well.
New Heights Lightning
Program Location: Bronx, NY/Brooklyn, NY
Date of Existence: 2021
Pro Alumni: Mark Armstrong,
College Alumni: Elliot Cadeau (University of North Carolina), Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn University), Jahki Howard (Auburn University), Tarik Watson (Marist College), Sadine Ayo Sadiku (St. John’s University), Tobe Awaka (University of Arizona), Zakai Ziegler (University of Tennessee), Jaquan Sanders (Hofstra University), Yossouf Singare (University of Connecticut), Jahmere Tripp (Fordham University), Silas Sunday (Hofstra University), Christian Jones (George Washington University), Will Patterson (High Point University), Jason Rivera-Torres (University of San Francisco), Armoni Ziegler (St. Peter’s University)
One thing that could be said about New Heights Lightning was that the squad was tough and hard-nosed when on the floor. They were a very dangerous team that feared no one, no matter the stage or the opponent. No task was too tall for the squad that had some very gritty players ready to ball out every time they stepped out on the floor.
Throughout the regular season, they went 9-6 and played some tough, crucial games to qualify for the Peach Jam. When they got to North Augusta, they were all business throughout pool play, as they made their presence felt, as they went 4-1.
One of the best games that they played was against none other than Team Why Not in the last pool play game in which both teams needed to win to advance to the quarterfinals. Although they were down by double-digits early, they made a furious comeback in the second half and it came down to crucial free throws, which were sank, sending NHL to the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, NHL was tasked with playing the dominant Oakland Soldiers, whom they went toe-to-toe with through four quarters. In the end, the Soldiers would go on to advance, ending NHL’s season.
On the squad were a good group of players starting with the backcourt of Meleek Thomas (Overtime Elite), Christian Jeffrey (Mount Zion Academy), Amari Evans (Overtime Elite) and Jordan Skyers (Our Saviour Lutheran).
Then there was the front court of Preston Fowler (Brewster Academy), Mabil Mawut Mabil (Our Saviour Lutheran), Ayomi Odetoyimbo (Our Saviour Lutheran) and Badara Diakite (South Kent).
With this crew of players, they were a dominant force in the EYBL this spring and summer. They showed that they could beat or even compete with the toughest teams. Rankings meant nothing to the players, but winning was the ultimate goal.
Under Armour Association
Riverside Hawks
Program Location: Harlem, NY
Date of Existence: 1961
Pro Alumni: Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), Eric Paschall, Chris Mullin, Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Kenny Smith, Kenny Anderson, Ed Pinckney, Metta World Peace, Elton Brand, Malik Sealy, Mario Elie, Omar Cook, A.J. Price, Sam Perkins, Albert King, Gary Forbes, Charles Jones, Sam Perkins, Lamar Odom, Adonal Foyle, Sam Perkins, Matt Doherty, Bernard King, Rodney McCray, Scooter McCray, Kevin Williams, Kelly Tripucka, Steve Burtt, Sr., Kenny Satterfield, Tony Price, Reggie Carter
College Alumni: Maurice Odum (Pepperdine University), Noah Best (Fairfield University), Adam Njie (Iona University), Cameron Estevez (University of Rhode Island), Julien Soumaoro (East Carolina University), Jaiden Glover (St. John’s University), Josh Pascarelli (Marist College), Richard Nweke (Columbia University), Brandon McCreesh (Bucknell University).
This season, the Hawks had a solid crew of talented players and looked like they had the talent to make a good run. Throughout the spring and summer, they got off a couple of wins against some powerhouse teams such as Team Thrill and Team Charlotte, but they also faced some struggles going 7-10 through the entire spring and summer, including a 1-4 record during the UAA Finals in Chicago during the weekend of July 18-21.
However, there were some bright spots on the team. In the backcourt, they had the lightning-quick duo of Kaelen Destin (Our Saviour Lutheran) and Tai Turnage (St. Raymond), and also the athleticism of Austin Spencer (St. Peter’s Prep) and also the gritty play of L.J. Saunders (Blair Academy). Then in the front court, there were players such as recent high school graduate Abdoulaye Konate (The Patrick School), Vincent Chadhuri (Northfield Mount Hermon), Maurice Vassel (St. Benedict’s Prep), Tyler Francis (Hotchkiss School) and Jack Bailey (Blair Academy), who is verbally committed to Boston College.
Adidas 3SSB
New York Wiz Kids
Program Location: Bronx, NY
Date of Existence: 2001
Pro Alumni: Dwight Hardy, Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith, Omari Lawrence, Jarrid Famous, Brian Williams, Jeremy Hazell.
College Alumni: Ian Jackson (University of North Carolina), Elijah Moore (Syracuse University), Tarique Foster (University of Massachusetts), Dionte Johnson (University of Maryland-Eastern Shore)
After a couple of seasons in which the Wiz Kids made a splash on the circuit due to the exploits of Jackson and Moore, the program based out of the North Bronx played a tough schedule of games for their 17’s squad and showed plenty of promise despite a 7-12 record on the floor throughout the spring and summer. However, during the last weekend of play in Rock Hill, South Carolina at the 3SSB Palmetto Road Championships, they finished their summer with a 4-2 record, losing in the quarterfinals of the 24-Team Classic bracket to Wildcat Select.
On this squad, were some special gems in the backcourt such as Josh Powell (Skyline Prep), Kaleb Popotte (Lawrence Woodmere), Dior Anderson (Monsignor Scanlan), Maurice Henderson (Brooklyn Democracy Academy) and lastly, Jake Sussberg (Scarsdale), who is now verbally committed to Princeton University.
In the front court were players such as Taj Walters (Moravian Prep) and Caleb Andigue (Mount St. Michael Academy).
New York Gauchos
Program Location: Bronx, NY
Date of Existence: 1967
Pro Alumni: Chris Mullin, Dwayne “Pearl” Washington, Stephon Marbury, God Shammgod, Lloyd Daniels, Kenny Anderson, Rod Strickland, Russ Smith, Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks), Kemba Walker, Taj Gibson, Ed Pinckney.
College Alumni: Isaiah Brown (Howard University), Tuscan Onuoha (UT-Arlington), Kevin Kearney (St. Joseph’s University), A.J. Rodriguez (Cornell University), Malachi Smith (University of Dayton), Brandon Williams (UCLA), R.J. Greene (Wagner College), Zaire Williams (Wagner College), Kesean Shillingford (Stonehill College)
Throughout the spring and summer, the Gauchos made plenty of noise on the 3SSB Circuit, going 12-7, including a 3-3 record during the 3SSB Palmetto Road Championships.
Their backcourt was led by guards such as Jakai Sanders, who is now a freshman at Division I St. Peterβs University and Johnny Keenan (Iona Prep), and had contributions from Nigel Moore (St. Francis Prep), Lucas Morillo (Newman School) and Trey Lewis (Roselle Catholic).
In the front court were a bevy of players such as Asher Elsen (South Shore), Shamari Mitchell (South Shore), Colin Phang (St. Raymond), Tristan Burth (Bridgeport Prep) and lastly, Brandon Stores, Jr. (St. Raymond), who is committed to Georgia Tech.
Another team to watch from the Gauchos pipeline was their 16’s squad, who went 4-2 during the last weekend and showed plenty of toughness on the court.
In their backcourt were players such as Sincere Folk (East Catholic), Richard Jackson (Eagle Academy II), Shameek Casillas (PDI Prep), Ethan Butler (St. Francis Prep), Jahzir Crawford (Holy Cross) and Sebastian Jackson (Kennedy Catholic).
Their frontcourt had players such as Julian Desir (Lawrence Woodmere), Ibrahima Camara (John F. Kennedy) and Jayvon Rampersant (Berkmar).
Independent Teams
Rising Stars
Circuit: Made Hoops Circuit
Program Location: Freeport, Long Island
Date of Existence: Early 1990’s
College Alumni: William Sydnor, Jr. (Manhattan College), Tyler Michel (Queens College), Jeremiah Dorsey (Jefferson University), Isiaha Dickens (Williams College), Michael O’Connell (North Carolina State University)
Throughout this summer, the Rising Stars made a splash on the MADE Hoops circuit and throughout the tai-state area, as they had plenty of hidden gems on their squad such as Brandon Margolin (Xaverian), Carter Wilson (Bay Shore), Chase Timberlake (Baldwin), Stanley Dhondt (Xaverian), Jawaun Smith (William Floyd) and Jermaine King (William Floyd). On June 2nd at The Collision event at Holy Cross High School in Flushing, Queens, they made their presence felt as they knocked off the Rod Wave Elite program. It was a win that solidified and legitimized the program in the eyes of many on the scene, as they beat a team full of five-star players. But that was just their 17’s.
Their 16’s squad, which had players such as Caleb Ourigou (Lawrence Woodmere Academy), Sylvanus Tabe (Lawrence Woodmere Academy) and Alexandre Kuminga (The Patrick School), went 8-1 in the MADE Hoops Summer Live championship game and won the title in their division. Things are looking up for this program out in Long Island.
Pro Level Titans
Circuit(s): Zero Gravity XL, Puma NXT
Program Location: New York, NY
Date of Existence: Unknown
College Alumni: Johan Nziemi (Longwood University), Maxwell Davis (Drexel University), Stephan Snagg (Binghamton University), Gabriel Franklin (University of Bridgeport), Chance Morrish (Dominican University), Ryan Jackson (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), Isaiah Gray (University of Akron)
One of the hardest-working programs out there on the grassroots scene, the Pro-Level Titans always come ready to play when they’re on the court. Led by coach/director Brian King, their list of alums suggest that they can play with anybody and don’t care about the names of the players on the other teams. Their grit is what makes this program very appealing.
This spring and summer, the program had players such as guard Tyler Okai (Phelps School), Leo Becker (Haverford School), Jacob Becker (Haverford School), Pharell Aybar (A. Philip Randolph High School), Dayn Campbell (MacDuffie School), Harrison Muntner (Frederick Gunn School) and Ford Okehi (Taft School).
On the Puma Next grassroots scene, the program competed and held their own against teams from the around the nation. With the aforementioned talent that they had, there’s no reason why college coaches shouldn’t be knocking on the doors moving forward.
CM3
Circuit: Made Hoops Circuit
Program Location: Long Island City, Queens
Date of Existence: Unknown
College Alumni: Davin Francis (Fairleigh Dickinson University), Jayden Johnson (South Carolina State University), Tyler Edore (Dominican University)
This spring and summer, CM3 showed out wherever they went. On the MADE Hoops circuit, the program made their presence felt on their court with their hard-nosed play and were a force to be reckoned with.
On June 1st, at The Collision event at Holy Cross High School in Flushing, Queens, they went toe-to-toe with the mighty Rod Wave Elite squad. Through four quarters, they gave the team filled with Division I stars all they could handle before losing. When the mixtapes came out in the days after, they showed a team with that textbook NYC toughness.
On the squad for CM3 were city kids such as Ashton Reynolds (Williston Northampton School), Flavio Jean (Brooklyn Collegiate High School), Kaden Gonzalez (Yorktown) and a couple of recent high school graduates that would attain scholarships to where they will now be playing collegiate basketball this upcoming season, such as Tyler Adore (Dominican University), Toribola Babs-Ogundeji (American International College), Michael Bruno III (Panola College) and Jayden Johnson (South Carolina State University).
With the latter group of kids obtaining scholarships, the mission was complete, for the moment. Next summer, more opportunities will be presented for players to be seen by schools. At the end of the day, the mission is free tuition for these student-athletes.
New York Jayhawks
Circuit: Made Hoops Circuit
Program Location: Jamaica, Queens
Date of Existence: 2010
Pro Alumni: Hamidou Diallo, Ryan Dunn, Sam Peek, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, Charles Pride, Majur Majak, Lucas Sutherland, Zion Styles
College Alumni: Samson Johnson (University of Connecticut), Parby Kabamba-Musongela (Marist College), Zed Key (University of Dayton), Andre Curbelo (Southern Mississippi University), Amdy N’Diaye (University of Pittsburgh), Isaiah Gray (University of Akron), John Buggs III (Eastern Tennessee State University), Finley Sheridan (Stetson University), Ugonna Oyenso (Kansas State University), Savion Lewis (Quinnipiac University), Kacper Klaczek (University of Albany), Jamarques Lawrence (University of Rhode Island), Jaiden Glover (St. John’s University), Rafael Pinzon (Bryant University)
New circuit, same program. No matter where they go, the Jayhawks always manage to shine. After being independent to playing on circuits such as Under Armour and the Adidas 3SSB circuit, the program welcomed the challenge that was the MADE Hoops circuit.
With gems such as Jayden Ramirez (Christ the King), Bryceson Dobie (Knox School), Jaysean Williams (The Patrick School), Al-Hassan Jallow (Our Saviour Lutheran High School) and Basti Williams (Knox School), they made it to the Top 15 rankings of the MADE Hoops circuit during the spring and summer.
It’s safe to say that no matter where they are at, whether independent or a main circuit, the players are always ready to show out and let the world know what they can do. There’s nothing like the culture of the City Game showing itself on the national scene. The Big Apple is always going to be the “Mecca of Basketball.” Other cities have their own culture, but there’s nothing like the one New York City has. It just can never be duplicated.
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