Photo courtesy of Dave’s Joint.
By David Cordova
When the school year starts, players are looking forward to getting into the gym and showing off the skills they showcased in the playground tournaments and also on the grassroots scene. One tournament in the five boroughs of New York City has all the intangibles of an event worth watching.
This event is none other than the City is Mine Basketball Classic, which was started in the summer of 2015 by founder & commissioner Bernard Bowen, Jr. & newly-enshrined Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, Carmelo Anthony. For the first few years until the summer of 2022, it was an event for club teams from around the city for players to showcase their talent prior to the beginning of the school year.
At one point, City is Mine expanded to four cities, such as Baltimore, Philadelphia & Chicago, to go along with its home base of New York City, where the winner would go on to win it all. In the summer of 2022, it was the home team that would emerge victorious.
These days, the event is doing things a little differently. Aside from its middle school league, which had some of the best seventh & eighth-graders from the tri-state area balling out, the squads in the high school divisions for the boys & girls are now high school teams preparing for their respective seasons.
The event is sponsored by the Jordan Brand and the games will be streamed on the Gamechanger app, with the play by play of famed emcee Joe Pope & former Division I basketball player & social media sensation, Malcolm Grant.
Many of the best high school players from the five boroughs & surrounding areas on the boys side, the majority from either the PSAL or the CHSAA, with one independent, private school from Long Island joining the fold, will be ready to rock out beginning on Saturday, October 4th at Eagle Academy for Young Men in the Tremont section of The Bronx and will taking place until Sunday, October 26th.
Here are the rosters of teams to watch, as we broke down their records from last year, as well as some of the players that have graduated or moved on as well as the newcomers:
City is Mine Preseason High School Classic (Fall 2025)
PSAL
BK Eagles (Eagle Academy II)
Location: Ocean Hill, Brooklyn
Head Coach: Kevin Hamilton, Jr.
Assistant Coaches: Kaamar “Kay” Labrew
Last Season’s Record: 20-7, AAAA quarterfinals.
Returning Players: Amir Dockery (6-0, junior), Hunter Frazier (6-8, senior), Dylan Leon (5-10, junior), Jaden Howard (6-6, senior)
Departures: Jeremiah Jacobs (Sacred Heart), Keyvion Jones-Allen, Richard Jackson, Jr. (transferred to Thomas Jefferson), Jayden Chandler (transferred to Thomas Jefferson), Gregory Reyes (transferred to Newark Arts), Xavier Caesar
Newcomers: Keiji Clifton (transfer from Holy Cross), Donte Cromwell (transfer from John Bowne), Lee Robinson (transfer from Omaha Westside), Bryce Hamilton (transfer from Bishop Loughlin), Elijah Burrowes (transfer from Brentwood)
Outlook: This year, the Eagles of Brooklyn will definitely be a strong team with their core of returning players and new personnel. Expect them to have some big games in the PSAL Brooklyn AAAA division and outside of league play. With the guard play and the front court, they should be one of the best teams to watch in the city.
BX Eagles (Eagle Academy I)
Location: Tremont, The Bronx
Head Coach: Roosevelt Byers
Assistant Coaches: Jamel Sanders, Curtis Kelly
Last Season’s Record: 25-7, AAAA finalist, Bronx Borough champions.
Returning Players: Giovanni Moran (6-2, junior), Amir Cummings (6-5, senior), Elijah King (6-4, junior), Denim Trotman (6-1, senior), Robert Gilmore (6-6, junior), Talen Knowles (6-5, senior)
Departures: CJ Dorrieland (Dominican University), RJ Walker, Jordan Randolph (Dundalk Community College), Ismael Rodriguez (Adlai Stevenson Campus)
Newcomers: Ryan Edwards (transfer from St. John’s Prep), AJ Lowe (transfer from Abraham Lincoln-Yonkers), Sehyd Kone (transfer from James Monroe Campus), Malik Ouro Adoyi (Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School), Jordan Collins (junior varsity)
Outlook: After making their first city championship appearance since 2007, the Eagles came just short in their title, which was the first time they had ever gone so far in the highest classification in the PSAL (Eagle I won the PSAL B championship in 2007, with no seniors). With their returning core of players back, along with some newcomers, this Eagle team looks to be a dangerous crew that should not be taken lightly.
Orange Wave (Thomas Jefferson Campus)
Location: East New York, Brooklyn
Head Coach: Lawrence Pollard
Assistant Coaches: Seldon Jefferson, Fred Johnson, Kenneth Pretlow
Last Season’s Record: 30-2, AAAA champions, Bronx Borough champions.
Returning Players: Jah’da Swann (6-5, senior), Trevor Lewis (6-1, senior), Kendry Ortiz (6-1, senior), Tudor Tanese (6-5, junior), Parish Roots (5-10, junior)
Key Losses: Connor Sprattley (Blinn College), Malachi Wilson (Onondaga Community College), Tamir Harper (Onondaga Community College), Nyqawn Morris (Onondaga Community College)
Newcomers: Richard Jackson, Jr. (transfer from Eagle Academy II), Jayden Hernandez (transfer from Murry Bergtraum), Tafare Kennedy (transfer from Canarsie), Kenneth Moore, Jr. (transfer from Cardinal Hayes), Jayden Chandler (transfer from Eagle Academy II), Shareef Smith (Transit Tech)
Outlook: The defending AAAA champions, which was the best team in the five boroughs last season, are back and ready to continue where they left off. Their returning crew was already tough. But the new guys that have joined the Orange Wave make the program even more dangerous. The boys from Pennsylvania Avenue will definitely be on a mission this season.
The Railsplitters (Abraham Lincoln)
Location: Coney Island, Brooklyn
Head Coach: Victoria Matos
Assistant Coaches: Isaiah Wilkerson, Robert Williams, Jamel Thomas
Last Season’s Record: 16-12, AAAA quarterfinals.
Returning Players: Christian Marbury (5-10, junior), Dean Diaz (6-4, senior), Gavon Jones (6-3, senior)
Departures: Ethan Ostane (Mount St. Charles Academy), Denzel Cintron (Onondaga Community College), Jeremiah Swaby
Newcomers: Marquise Lloyd (transfer from Epic South), Bryce Clark (transfer from Christ the King), Jace Parris (transfer from Eagle Academy II), Jakeem Gibson (transfer from Eagle Academy II)
Outlook: The Railsplitters were one of the city’s biggest surprises last season and have continued to flourish under head coach, Victoria Matos, who has brought the team through a resurgence since her first year at the helm. Although they lost a couple of their key players due to graduation, the boys from Ocean Parkway in Coney Island will definitely be a force in the always tough PSAL Brooklyn AAAA division.
AF Panthers (Achievement First Brooklyn)
Head Coach: Trevon Hamlet
Assistant Coaches: Dujuan Heath, James Fernandez, Brandon Lewis
Location: Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Last Season’s Record: 21-10, AAA champions.
Returning Players: Tyler Romeo (6-0, junior), Jahlil Murray (6-5, senior), Jayveon Jones (6-1, junior)
Key Losses: Jaylen Linton (SUNY Brockport)
Newcomers: Taevion Anderson (transfer from Grady), Justin Washington (junior varsity), Shia Henry (junior varsity), Chavez Mitchell (junior varsity).
Outlook: After a groundbreaking season last year, which culminated in a city championship and an outstanding summer which included a couple of big wins at the Smartball Classic in Harlem last month, the Panthers have begun to put themselves on the map. With the new pieces on their squad coming up from the JV & their returning starters from last year’s team, look out for the boys from Pacific Street in Crown Heights to be the top dogs in the PSAL AAA division this season.
CHSAA
CH Cardinals (Cardinal Hayes)
Head Coach: Joe Lods
Assistant Coaches: John Hawthorne, Kenny Adeleke, Brandon Brown
Location: Concourse Village, The Bronx
Last Season’s Record: 19-9, AA quarterfinals
Returning Players: Brice Yancey (6-0, sophomore), Hector Almodovar, Jr. (6-0, sophomore), Brandon Bird (6-4, sophomore), Souleymane Kone (6-2, sophomore), Amadou Barry (6-9, junior), Malik Fields (6-3, senior), Nazier Campbell (6-3, senior), Christian Brown (6-3, junior)
Key Losses: Amare Snipes (Mount Zion Christian Academy), David Gaymon (Putnam Science Academy)
Newcomers: Avian Rodriguez (incoming freshman)
Outlook: The past two seasons, the Hayesmen were one of the Catholic League’s youngest teams, but still held their own against deeper & more experienced squads. Now that the team is another year older, they are ready to take the next step and shock even more teams around the city this coming season. The boys from the Grand Concourse have a great quartet of sophomores, as well as a couple of upperclassmen that will be making noise this coming season.
Kingsmen (Nazareth)
Location: East Flatbush, Brooklyn
Head Coach: Gary Ervin
Assistant Coaches: Michael Camacho, Lenny Cooke, Adam Paruolo, Tremaine Oxley, Harold Canty, Carlito Beach
Last Season’s Record: 18-10, AA quarterfinals
Returning Players: A.J. Moody (5-11, senior), Joel Barnaby-Alexander (6-5, senior), Zion Austin (6-4, sophomore), Justin Delgado (6-5, senior), Jayden Blakemore (6-1, senior), Quran Smith (6-1, senior), Troy Smith, Jr. (5-11, senior)
Departures: Halon Rawlins (Fairfield University), Joseph Jennings (SUNY Orange), Isaiah Pierre (Monroe Community College), Daniel Prince (St. Albans Prep), Exzavia Robertson (D’Youville University), Emmanuel Valera-Melo (The Phelps School)
Newcomers: Malick Kamara (transfer from James Monroe Campus)
Outlook: After three straight years with championship game appearances in two different classifications, the Kingsmen were ousted early last year. Despite losing most of the leadership that brought them to greater heights, this year’s squad will continue to be as tough and gritty as ever before. With their new addition mixed in with the veterans, the boys from East Flatbush are going to be a force in the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens AA division this season.
The Royals (Christ the King)
Location: Middle Village, Queens
Head Coach: Joe Arbitello
Assistant Coaches: James Horan, C.J. Council, Sean Lewis
Last Season’s Record: 16-13, AA semifinals.
Returning Players: Judah Bontemps (5-8, junior), Orion Cobb (6-7, senior), Aaron Ellis (6-2, sophomore), Johnny Magna (6-3, junior), Skyler Ragoo (6-3, sophomore).
Departures: Markell Alston (UCLA), Cameron Ziegler (Mount Zion Prep), Jayden Ramirez (Barton Community College), Strahinja Zelic (Wasatch Academy)
Newcomers: Filip Runjo (transfer from Grand River Academy), Malachi Hudson (junior varsity)
Outlook: Although last season ended in a tough fashion, the Royals are back and ready to roar with a vengeance. They have some solid young players that look like they will make an impact for the next year or two. Can they make it to the CHSAA championship for the first time in this decade? Time will tell. But look forward to a good season from Middle Village’s finest.
Queens Knights (Holy Cross)
Location: Flushing, Queens
Head Coach: Billy Turnage
Assistant Coach: Tyrone Grant, Paul Savino, Darrell Thomas, Orlando Carter
Last Season’s Record: 13-15, AA quarterfinals.
Returning Players: Jahzir Crawford (5-10, senior), Amosun Toluwase (6-6, senior), Payton Wilson (6-8, sophomore), Devin Bey (6-2, sophomore), Fuyuan Shi (6-8, sophomore), Donovan Medley (5-9, junior)
Departures: Avery Taitt (Western Connecticut State University), Keiji Clifton (transferred to Eagle Academy II), Dylon Stanley (Farmingdale State College)
Newcomers: Malachi Miller (incoming freshman)
Outlook: With many returners back from last year’s team, the Knights plan on making a deep run to the playoffs this year. The squad from Flushing will be a disciplined team with solid guards and forwards that have athleticism & great defensive tendencies. If all goes well, the Knights will be a team to watch.
BX Crusaders (Monsignor Scanlan)
Location: Throggs Neck, The Bronx
Head Coach: Dwayne Mitchell
Assistant Coaches: Bevon Robin, Daman Brown, Chris Florentino, Maxwell Cole, Jr.
Last Season’s Record: 12-15, AA second round.
Returning Players: Akeem McLaren (6-0, sophomore), Issa Sawadogo (6-6, senior), Javan Webb (6-6, senior), Johansel Cruz (5-11, senior), Anthony Venzen (6-4, junior)
Departures: Eric Fagin, Jr., Kemar Martin (Springfield Commonwealth Academy), Dior Anderson (The Patrick School)
Newcomers: Jamel Jordan (freshman team), Camren Tull (junior varsity), Angel Navarro (freshman team)
Outlook: The Crusaders may have lost some key players from last year’s team, but this year’s team will definitely have some grit with them. Even with their newcomers being called up from the junior varsity & freshmen teams, respectively, the boys from Throggs Neck are due for some good wins this season.
The Terriers (St. Francis Prep)
Location: Fresh Meadows, Queens
Head Coach: Jimmy Lynch
Assistant Coach: Brian Haggerty, Shane Herrity, Mike Murray, Chuck Myers
Last Season’s Record: 23-5, AA semifinals.
Returning Players: Oesoemana Osacko (6-8, senior), Lawrence Hailes (6-0, senior), Justin Desena (6-2, sophomore), Cory Ballard (5-10, senior)
Departures: Vere Anthony (University of New Haven), Jayden Huggins (University of Mount St. Vincent), Conor Griffin (Farmingdale State College), Ethan Butler (Phhx Prep Academy)
Newcomers: Elijah Murray (incoming freshman), Keishaun White (incoming freshman), Carter Prizzi (transfer from Cold Spring Harbor)
Outlook: The last couple of seasons, the Terriers have been the kings of the Brooklyn/Queens AA division, winning the Diocesan title two years in a row. However, both of those seasons have ended in heartbreaking fashion with losses in the semifinals. However, with returning personnel coming back, the Terriers will look to make noise once again. Can they take the next step and return to the CHSAA championship game for the first time since 1997? This remains to be seen. But don’t count out the boys from Fresh Meadows yet.
NYSAIS
SB Grizzlies (Stony Brook)
Location: Stony Brook, Long Island (Suffolk County)
Head Coach: Ron White
Assistant Coaches: Tim McKenzie
Last Season’s Record: 19-6, NYSAIS B semifinals.
Returning Players: Orlando Morris (5-10, senior), Simon Ogwuche David (6-9, junior), James Augustine (6-6, senior), Gabriel Walcott (5-11, senior)
Departures: Paul Coty IV (Hardin-Simmons University), Salem Pryor (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)
Outlook: One of the premier private school teams in the tri-state area, the Bears are on the fast track to being the next great powerhouse out of Long Island. With the personnel that they have, they have a chance to stand out regionally. This squad will definitely be one to watch.
Here is the list of teams in the boys high school division:
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