2021 Memorial Day Slam Top Performers
RecruitTheBronx.com paid a visit to the Island Garden facility in West Hempstead for the Memorial Day Slam event run by Eleve11Hoops. In this event, there were plenty of talented teams with under-the-radar players that came out to do battle. Here are some of the standouts from that day’s event:
Cherif Diarra 6-6, Forward, Putnam Science Academy (CT), Diallo Elite, Class of 2021 - A forward with a strong presence in the low post, he is a player that can make his presence felt in many ways on the floor. Has the ability to run on the fast break and can put the ball on the floor. Is able to muscle his way Into the paint on the offensive end and is able to absorb contact as a way to score.
Tyshawn Trail 6-3, Shooting Guard, John Bowne High School, Diallo Elite, Class of 2022 -A guard that has the ability to put the ball on the floor and can create for himself off the dribble. Has plenty of speed and loves to drive to the basket when given the opportunity. Has the ability to shoot from long range, especially if left unattended. Is known for getting to the rim with ease.
Amadou Diallo 5-10, Point Guard, John Bowne High School, Diallo Elite, Class of 2022 - A guard that is very deceptive with the ball and has a quick first step. Is able to facilitate the ball to his teammates and can see where his teammates are moving at all times so that he can give them the ball. Is able to get to the basket with no problem and looks to score once he’s done passing to his teammates. Has good hands and is able to get steals effectively.
Mason Bligen, 6-6, Forward. Fork Union Military Academy (VA), Diallo Elite, Class of 2022 - A forward that has plenty of athleticism, as he loves to play above the rim. Is able to drive to the basket at will and is very active in the low post. Has a penchant for boxing out the opposition when it comes to getting rebounds.
Jamarques Lawrence, 6-3, Shooting Guard, Roselle Catholic High School (NJ), NY Jayhawks 17U, Class of 2022 - A guard that can do many things when on the floor and has excellent court vision. Is a player that makes sure that his teammates are able to have the ball at the right moments and that they are able to score. Loves to run on the fast break and has good eyes defensively, when it comes to getting steals.
Joshua Rivera, 6-6, Forward, St. Thomas Aquinas High School (NJ), NY Jayhawks 17U, Class of 2022 - A forward that is long and has a large wingspan on the court. Has the ability to reject the opposition’s shots, due to his great timing and ability to be alert when the opposition is driving towards the basket. Is a player that loves to throw down vicious dunks on the offensive end. Is a graduating senior that has elected to do a postgraduate year at a prep school.
Di’Ari Duncan, 6-8, Forward, Bergen Catholic High School (NJ), NY Jayhawks 17U, Class of 2022 - A forward that is a solid presence in the low post and can do what his teammates need of him to do during certain moments in the game. Has good hands and uses it wisely when in the paint. Is a great rebounder and establishes his presence in the post area whenever he’s on the floor. Finds good ways to score when it comes to him putting the ball on the floor and being able to mix and match in the paint.
Finley Sheridan 6-9, Forward, Long Island Lutheran High School, NY Jayhawks 16U, Class of 2023 - A forward that is able to handle the ball n the perimeter and has good footwork and moves near the basket. Because of his height, he is able to post up against smaller defenders and dominate. Is fearless when driving into the paint area and is able to absorb contact. Is able to use his hands to get steals, block shots and obtain rebounds.
Carnegie Johnson 6-0, Point Guard, Blair Academy (NJ), NY Jayhawks 16U, Class of 2023 - A guard that is quick and knows where and when to make shots. Makes strong drives to the basket and is extremely sufficient at pulling up and shooting from the key or from three-point range. Has the ability to use his speed to drive into the basket or can dish off a pass to a streaking teammate with no problem.
Damani Barley, 6-4, Point Guard, Rochester East High School, NY Jayhawks 16U, Class of 2023 - A guard that has a penchant for driving to the basket with ease and has great playmaking ability. Is the type of player that can shoot at a high volume whenever he has the ball in his hands. Loves to run on the fast break and can usually get to the basket with or without the ball and can either block shots or get steals on the defensive end.
Mamadou Traore 6-1, Shooting Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Early Risers NYC, Class of 2022 -A guard that is able to stay with his man on the defensive end and is able to find ways to get to the basket. Is able to move off of a pick and roll and put up incredible shots. Is able to absorb physical contact when driving to the lane. Has a penchant for passing the ball to his teammates at the right spots.
Daryl Victory, Jr. 5-8, Point Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Early Risers NYC, Class of 2022 - A guard that is diminutive and can play bigger than his frame shows. Is able to direct traffic with his team and is able to distribute the ball to his teammates as they are in the right situations to receive the ball. When he drives to the basket to score he is fearless and is able to absorb contact when going up for a basket.
Francisco Mattei 6-0, Point Guard, Archbishop Stepinac High School, Early Risers NYC, Class of 2022 - A guard that has a penchant for being a deadly shooter from long range and is able to sink his shots shots when not being guarded heavily. Has a penchant for passing the ball tp has teammates at the right moments and setting them up in position to get baskets. Has a lot of confidence when taking his shot, whether it be in or outside three-point range.
Emmanuel Barkor 6-5, Forward, Mount Vernon High School, Early Risers NYC, Class of 2022 - A forward with a special skill set on the floor. Is able to put the ball on the floor and dribble smoothly to get to the basket. Has long arms and is able to get to corral rebounds easily. Is able to absorb contact when going up to the basket and is used to going to the free-throw line.
Khalil London 6-3, Shooting Guard, St. Dominic’s High School, Boys 2 Men, Class of 2022 - A guard that is able to make his teammates better when on the floor. Has the ability to move without the ball and can anticipate a pass and does the catch & shoot, which results in him making shots from deep. Has the ability to pass the ball at the right time on the floor.
Aaron Talbert 6-0, Shooting Guard, Knox School, Boys 2 Men, Class of 2022 - A guard that is a high-volume shooter when it comes to his scoring prowess. Is able to drive to the basket with fearlessness and is able to finish with precision. Is never afraid to pass the ball and is able to get assists at a fast clip.