2018 Gym Rat Challenge All Tournament Team - 9th Grade Division

UNION COLLEGE, SCHENECTADY, NY, excerpted from the 2018 Gym Rat Challenge Report

Maurice McKinney (13) 5-11 guard Beast Nation/School 1: Big-time long-range shooter, whose three-pointers in the bracket championship helped determine the outcome. Also shoots well from mid range. Good rebounder for a guard. Gets to the basket and finishes through contact. Has good shot selection. Good vision and delivers passes. Looks to create for teammates. Active hands on the defensive end. Great vocal leader on and off the court.

Bill Lia (1) 6-7 forward NY Havoc/Guilderland H.S.: An active interior defender who broke out on the offensive end throughout the event weekend….and particularly in the first half of his team’s bracket championship game victory. Moves well for a “big,” and is active running the floor in transition. Great timing and anticipation as a help defender. Great footwork in the post. Heady player in pick-and-roll situations. Above-average ball-handler with a great rip-through move on baseline attacks. Uses his length and athleticism to keep balls active off the glass to finish himself or to tip rebounds to teammates. Good fundamentals rebounding the rock that allow him to keep physically stronger players away from the rim.

Neftali Valentin (5) 5-9 guard Bulls Basketbal Club/Hackensack H.S.: Came up big with plays to secure his team’s championship-game victory. Capable three-point shooter, but will also drive and dish. Consistently gets into the lane and uses the board to finish. Showed a nice hesitation move and crossover dribble. Good free-throw shooter. Provided consistently strong guard play throughout the tournament.

Amari Tice (11) 6-4 forward Hudson Valley Panthers Elite/Meadow Hill H.S.: A long, athletic player that appears to have great potential. Impacts games on defense, and with pride. Good help defender and disruptive. Blocks shots. Runs the court and finishes in transition. Explosive moves. Can hit the three with his feet set. Unselfish, capable passer and will rebound.

Unique Hicks (3) 5-9 point guard Hudson Valley Panthers Elite/Newburgh Free Academy: Outstanding athlete with great quickness, particularly when going to the hoop. Finishes nice, and can finish in traffic. Very good in transition game. Showed off an effective hesitation-dribble move. Sees the court well and delivers sharp passes.

Kalu Anya (8) 6-4 forward/center Worcester Team United/Doherty Memorial H.S.: Skills indicate very nice future. Goes quickly to the hoop and finishes when he gets there against contact. Showed off some nice, developing moves around the basket. Good-enough rebounder. Showed off a quick spin move in the lane. Very unselfish on-court play.

Nefyampiel Rios (24) 5-8 guard Worcester Team United/Doherty Memorial H.S.: An adept slasher who can get to the hoop. Showed off a nice inside/out dribble move. Will go past defenders and dish to open teammates. Can also finish around the basket. Nice hesitation dribble moves. Finishes strong. Can hit perimeter shots when feet are set.

Dennis DeMarino (5) 5-10 guard Legends Select/Cranford H.S.: Big-time scorer and very confident in his shot. Can stop and pop from mid range, shoot off the dribble and hit the three-pointer when his feet are set. Also showed ability to score in traffic. Nice inside/out dribble move to a crossover dribble. Moves well without the ball at times.

Joshua Baldwin (3) 6-2 guard B2L 9th Grade Black/Belmont Hill H.S.: Goes hard to the hoop off the dribble, and uses size to finish around the bucket. Can finish with either hand. Unselfish, sees the court and is an adept passer. Has a decent hesitation dribble. Very bothersome with his defense on top of the zone. Gets many steals/deflections. His defense impacts games. Made game-winning free throws here.

Marcus Berlus (44) 6-1 guard Prestige Patriots Basketball Club/Linden H.S.: A good-sized, strong guard. Showed off an ability to consistently make mid-range shots. Also capable of connecting on three-pointers when his feet are set. Uses strength to get past defenders to get to the basket, and uses his body well to shield off defenders to score around the hoop.

Tobe Awaka (30) 6-5 forward/center Dare 2B Great/Haviland Middle School: Already a good-sized post player with great potential. Very good rebounder, chases them down. Outstanding offensive rebounder. Uses size and length to block his share of shots. Plays with a high motor and great effort. Showed off an ability to score around the basket.

Jahmir Primer (6) 6-1 guard Heat Elite/Portledge H.S.: Showed great on-court leadership skills. Strong player. Showed off a good handle. Has all the moves ... inside/out dribble, hesitation dribble and spin dribble. Uses dribble skills to get to the basket and score against traffic. Nice spin moves. Also showed off a nice long-range touch from the corners.

Jeffrey Douby (35) 6-5 center Heat Elite/St. Mary’s H.S.: An emerging “big” who looks to have nice potential. Aggressive player who needs to keep his emotions under control. Nice ability to score in the paint. Sets up well and catches effectively. Has the size to impact the game. Already a strong shot-blocker and uses his length to be an effective rebounder.

Christian Daley (2) 5-10 guard Heat Elite/St. Anthony’s H.S.: Showed off nice perimeter jump-shooting skills. Looks to have developing three-point range with time. Gets past defenders and will penetrate and dish to open teammates. Very good passer. Showed off a nice cross-over dribble move to shed defenders.

Kawar Singh (00) 6-6 forward/center Heat Elite/St. Mary’s H.S.: Already very good size. Uses it well, particularly on the defensive end where he blocks and alters more than his share of shots. Really impacts games with his defensive presence and play. Capable of scoring around the basket. Strong player who uses it well.

Jahiid Allen Paisley (0) 5-10 point guard Young Achievers Basketball Club/Swampscott H.S.: Very quick guard who can beat defenders off the dribble. A left-hander who uses a nice inside/out dribble move effectively. Showed a decent shooting touch. Outstanding offensive player who can score points quickly in a variety of ways.

Devin Parham (7) 6-1 guard Young Achievers Basketball Club/Charlestown H.S.: A true shooting guard who showed off good range here. Already nice size for his position. Very capable of getting hot and scoring bunches of points in short order. Primarily a shooter right now, other aspects of his game need development.
Joshua Zangerle (5) 6-1 guard Dare2B Great/Beacon H.S.: Already has nice skills, as well as a competitive manner that serves him well. Good on the move and finishes nicely in transition. Also sees the court well in transition game. Can shoot over smaller guards, and can get to the hoop and finish with either hand. Nice inside/out dribble move. Will penetrate and kick to open teammates.

Liam Ngos (16) 6-3 forward Ottawa Phoenix Basketball/Symes School: Very athletic player who gets off his feet. Size, leaping ability make him a very capable rebounder. Has nice inside moves and is a capable scorer in the paint. Uses a very effective pump fake to get off his shot around the basket. Draws more than his share of fouls.

Jah’likai King (1) 5-1 guard Hudson Valley Panthers Elite/Meadow Hill School: Small, but extremely fast. Effectively slashes to the basket and can finish in traffic. Showed off a nice crossover dribble right to left move. Good inside/out dribble move, particularly with his left hand. Made some nice defensive plays, an effective disrupter on that end.

Kemet Sudan (23) 6-4 center forward Hudson Valley Panthers Elite/Don Bosco H.S.: A strong left hander. Goes hard to the basket and draws his share of fouls. Also scores in the paint. Uses very effective head and shoulder fake around the basket to get off his shot. Also showed a decent spin move in the paint. Potential is there to be a nice player.

Khalil Harris (4) 5-6 guard Long Island Rough Ryderz/Christ The King H.S.: Can handle the ball, but also puts up points in bunches. Outstanding court vision and can deliver good passes to open teammates. Good moves to go past defenders and attacks the basket with strength. Can also connect out to the three-point stripe. Likes to run and is an effective shooter in transition game.

Myles DeBrecourt (2) 6-2 guard NY Ratz 9th Grade/S.S. Seward H.S.: Can play either guard spot. Excellent quickness and uses change of speeds well. Good feel for the game. Can create his own shot. Lights-out behind three-point line Good mid-range game, too. Great vocal leader. Gets past defenders for drive-and-kick plays. Solid defender who works on that end.

Diamonte McMillan (5) 5-9 guard Newburgh Goldbacks/Newburgh Free Academy: Pure shooting guard who uses athleticism to great effect. Very strong going to the rim, particularly with his right hand. Strong enough to finish through contact. Likes to run and excels in the transition game. Very active and effective defensive presence.

Jonathan Beagle (44) 6-4 forward Demons/Hudson Falls H.S.: Good height already and uses it as an effective rebounder. Can also step out and shoot. Good mid-range jumper and connects out to three-point range. Strong finisher at the rim. Very active defender. Good passer for a big guy. Can handle the ball well enough. Already getting some college looks.

Ethan Craig (35) 5-10 forward Long Island Rough Ryderz/St. Anthony’s H.S.: Very active defender. Good court vision, finds open teammates. Great rebounder for his size. Strong left hand, but can finish with either hand. Handles the ball very well. Always seems to be in the right spot to get steals on the defensive end.

Matt Simmons (30) 5-11 point guard NY Ratz 9th Grae/New Paltz H.S.: Outstanding rebounder for his size. Goes after everything. Good player in transition game. Has good court vision, delivers passes to open teammates. Finishes well at the rim against contact, and finishes with either hand. Active defender. Highly active player on both ends.

RJ Desantis (0) 5-10 guard NY Ratz 9th Grade/Wallkill H.S.: Outstanding rebounder from the guard position. Active on the boards, goes after everything. Has real shooting skills. Got red hot shooting the three-pointer while here. Unselfish player, showed off good passing skills during tournament play.

Eric Diaz (5) 5-11 guard CSA Velocity-Alex/New Milford H.S.: Outstanding ball-handler, creates open looks for teammates. Good court vision and basketball IQ. Goes hard to the basket and finishes strong, particularly with his right hand. Excels in transition game. Raises the level of his play with all-out hustle.

John Fitzmaurice (9) 6-2 forward CSA Velocity-Alex/New Milford H.S.: A very active and effective defender. Drives hard to the basket and finishes strong at the rim. Good size for this division and uses it well, outstanding rebounder. Plays with a lot of energy. Can also step out and make three’s. Very vocal leader.

Steven Plummer (1) 6-2 forward/center Beast Nation/Webster Schroder H.S.: Strong and athletic player. Plays hard at all times. Goes hard to the basket and can finish against contact. Adept with either hand when he gets near the hoop. Great rebounder for his size. Very active player on the defensive end.

Joziah Learned (3) 6-1 guard Maine Renegades Black/Levitt Area H.S.: A long, athletic player at this age. Uses his length to great effect as a rebounder. Also capable of stepping out to hit the three-pointer. Good handle and drives by defenders to finish at the rim. Unselfish player with good court vision.

Amani Allen (2) 5-6 point guard Harlem USA/Cardinal Hayes H.S.: Excellent quickness, always makes the right pass. Has the ball on a string. Great drive and kick player. Active defender who uses quick feet to stay in front of his opponent. Good spot-up shooter. Excellent body control finishing at the rim.

Brennan Clark Jr. (10) 6-5 forward/center Niagara District National/Wilson H.S.: A stellar athlete. Great bounce. Gets rebounds in traffic. Excellent help-side shot-blocker. Runs like a gazelle. Good at finishing at the rim. Capable passer from the elbows. Excellent dump down pass finisher, doesn’t need an extra dribble to get to the hoop.

Jacob Shadders (12) 6-0 guard Niagara District National/Pittsford Mendon H.S.: Incredible awareness on the court. Great long-range shooter. Excellent ball handler. A patient player who controls the tempo. Intuitive defender, on and off the ball. Handles transition with ease. Very smart in pick-and-roll situations. Good rebounder for his size. Excels in the open court. Great hands in passing lanes.

Keith Warren Jr. (1) 5-10 guard Niagara District National/McQuaid H.S.: An outstanding shooter/scorer. Excels at getting into the lane to score against contact. Great pull-up and floater game. Just scores in bunches. Also showed good ball-handling skills. Very active defender, particularly on the ball.

Michel Ndayishimiye (2) 5-9 point guard VT Elite 2021/Rice H.S.: A bulldozer in a guard’s body. Incredible finisher at the rim. Complete control with the ball in his hands. Good spot-up shooter. Excels in the open court. Draws fouls and gets to the line. Very aggressive on the defensive end. Moves feet well when defending.

Ashon Wright (0) 5-11 point guard NY Havoc/Colonie H.S.: An intelligent, heady point guard who controls the action on offense. Seems to make the right pass every time. Plays with pace and takes great care of the ball, almost turnover free. Capable three-point shooter who also has a nice mid-range game. Good communicator on both ends.

Aidan Hughley (12) 6-4 power forward Pennsylvania Rens/York Suburban H.S.: More of a stretch 4 here, though his frame indicates he could wind up more of a true wing. Good footwork that allowed him to spin his way into good scoring position against bigger post players. When left unchallenged, he showed he could connect from the elbows and showed glimpses of growing out his offensive game.

Kevin Ariste (36) 6-2 forward ASA Select/Lafayette School: Defended well as an undersized “big,” but he stretched out on the other end and was able to take bigger defenders off the dribble with a good handle and strong ability to finish against contact. Managed to hold up well guarding and “manning up” against bigger bodies. His work on defense spoke volumes of his overall toughness.

Maleek McNeil (9) 6-9 power forward PSA Cardinals/Williston Northampton H.S.: Most-dominant big man in his age division. Big, wide and extremely skilled. A true back-to-the basket post who has great footwork and soft hands around the rim. Excellent finisher who was a dominant rebound. Development of a face-up game and he’ll become one of the premier prospects nationally.

Samuel Gibbs (8) 6-1 point guard PSA Cardinals/Archbishop Stepinac H.S.: A smooth point guard who, on a deep and talented team, was more often looking to creates for teammates. Excellent facilitator who worked well off screen & roll plays, finding cutting teammates going to the hoop. He did show off an ability to knock down shots from deep when he took them.

Ronald Greene (3) 6-4 forward PSA Cardinals/Iona Prep: An athletic wing who proved able to play multiple positions. Extremely versatile and tough to contain. Played forward in early games here, using his speed and handle to get to the rim. Also showed an ability to pull up off the dribble and tick mid-range jumper. Showed a nice all-around offensive game.

Joey Dupont (8) 5-11 guard Maine Renegades/Maranacook H.S.: Often carried his team as he was able to get some solid looks and finish with a quick release on his shots. Struggled a bit off the dribble against pressure, but when he had space his offensive game really came alive. Good shooter from mid- and long range.

Ryan Donahue (5) 5-11 guard ASA Select/Boston Latin H.S.: Helped his team come back from a late deficit to knock off PSA Cardinals and win their pool. Tough to define him into a position as he was a key shooter who creates his own shot from the outside but also guarded bigger forwards on the inside. No problem doing so. Could go down low as an under-sized rebounder effectively when needed.

Kevin Gallagher (11) 5-10 guard Take Charge-DeStefano/Foxboro H.S.: A real combination guard. Very good in the open court. Takes it to the hoop and finishes there against contact. Showed ability to make the open three-pointer. Also good at creating shots for others. Very poised in pressure situations. Plays tough and is very physical.

Manny Rodriguez (4) 5-8 point guard L&L Running Rebels/Lincoln Leadership H.S.: A floor genera, an outstanding point guard. He just excels in the open court, either getting to the rim and finishing well through contact or doing a great job of getting his teammates involved. Very good ball-handler. Also scores, can shoot the three-pointer off the dribble.

Jaden Clarke (5) 6-3 forward New York Bucks/Frederick Douglas Academy: A very long and athletic wing who play affects the game on both ends. Handles the ball well in the open court. More than capable 3-point shooter. Finishes well at the rim even with contact. Does a great job of finding teammates. Rebounds the ball above the rim. Better-than-average shot-blocker.

Sean Smith (5) 6-0 guard Hope/North Star Christian Academy: Decent size for a guard at this age level, and capable of playing either backcourt position. Very good on the offensive end. Can create his own shot off a variety of dribble moves. Also showed the ability to hit the open three-pointer. Very good off the bounce and finishes at the rim through contact.

Lance Altenar (2) 6-0 wing MABC Bengals/Malden Catholic: Very good ball-handler capable of playing either backcourt spot. Can change directions when driving. Has a nice crossover move. He sees the court well and gives it up. Showed off some nice no-look passes. Has good range and can pull up and shoot. Solid defender. Pressures the ball without fouling.

Francisco Santiago (10) 6-1 forward MABC Bengals/Charleston H.S.: Very strong presence under the basket, a true post player. Strong rebounder Plays B-I-G! Uses his body and jumping abilities to great advantage. Can score in close with great regularity. Standout offensive rebounder, and goes back up and finishes well against contact.

Rondell McNeil (7) 6-1 wing L&L Running Rebels/Liberty H.S.: One of the most athletic players here. Can apply tremendous pressure defensively. Has a long reach and uses it well to deflect passes and create turnovers. Can play at the two, three or four spots. Runs the floor very well and finishes. Can also hit the three. Just seems to have a nose for the ball.

Jevin Muniz (24) 6-2 forward L&L Running Rebels/Freedom H.S.: Plays any front-court position, even in the paint. Plays bigger than his size. Very good around the basket, yet can also handle the ball like a guard. Excellent rebounder and gets his share of put-backs. A real scorer. Solid defender, as well. Good rebounder who knows how to box out.

Jake Roseti (25) 6-3 forward CT Premier/Masuk H.S: Good size and showed the ability to play small forward or go into the paint as a power forward or even in the pivot. Strong around the basket, and gets put-backs. Yet, he can also step out and shoot three-pointers. Showed off a good range. Finishes strong at the hoop. Can also handle the ball.

Derek Quimette (15) 5-11 wing CD Premier/Columbia H.S.: Has excellent body control. A wiry build. Has an excellent shot with good range. Can hit the three-pointer. Runs the floor well and finishes. Solid rebounder from the wing. Made a behind-the-back bounce pass for an assist here. Solid 1-on-1 defender. Long arms that bother the ball.

Jack Garside (25) 6-1 wing Lightning Gold Calabia/Kings Park H.S.: Extremely versatile. Skilled enough to play either backcourt spot, yet big enough to play either front-court position. Has length and uses it well, both offensively and defensively. Can play the point. Sees the court and runs the break well. Good shooter, too. Has range out to three-point land.

Patrick Healy (35) 6-0 wing Lightning Gold-Calabria/Northport H.S.: Has good length and uses it well on both ends of the floor. He sees the court well and readily makes the extra pass. Athletic and runs the floor real well. He can take it to the hole and finish against contact. Showed off a good short-range jumper.

Mekhi Affriny (0) 5-8 guard LI Select/Hempstead Academy: Capable of playing the point and the wing. Extremely quick player. He attacks the hoop well, but also sees the court and other options. Not afraid to give it up to open teammates. Runs the floor well. Very quick hands and feet on the defensive end, but under control and doesn’t foul.

Taeshaun Sanchez (5) 5-5 point guard CT Premier-Mullings/Kolbe H.S.: Outstanding ball-handler who can penetrate and dish ... or get off a shot inside. Showed the ability to hit three pointers. Tends to over dribble, but some of that here was due to teammates standing still. Can apply defensive pressure without fouling. Has a nice hesitation/crossover dribble move.

Ethan Augusta (7) 6-3 Bay State Jaguars/North Dartmouth H.S.: Best all-around player on a very good and well-coached team. Can go to the hoop and can finish there. Runs the floor well. Gets open. Can hit the jumper. Has a good wing span and uses it to play solid, no-foul pressure defense Moves his feet well and has quick hands. Capable of playing big guard, or in the front court.

Declan Markey (4) 6-1 forward Bay State Jaguars/Bishop Stang H.S.: He can score from anywhere. And, he can play just about anywhere ... on the wing, or in the post. Gets himself open and runs the court well. He is always on the move. Difficult to defend. Has good range, and hit some three-pointers here. Very versatile. Fundamentally sound, and gets good rebounding position.

Terrance Guy Jr. (35) 6-4 forward Bay State Jaguars/Mansfield H.S.: Versatile player, capable of playing either forward spot or in the pivot. Handles the ball well for a big guy. Can attack the basket and finish strong. Can also step out and hit the three. Locks down low when he wants to, and rebound well.

Ty Chan (5) 6-5 forward Bay State Jaguars/Lowell H.S.: He is a man among boys at this age level. Plays either power position. Just a strong inside presence. Has a very strong power move to the hoop and can get off a nice, soft short jumper. Has great hands, catches everything thrown to him. Solid rebounder, particularly on the defensive end.

Jordan Derkack (4) 5-7 wing MSU Skyliners/ Colonia H.S.: Small-framed, but extremely quick. Finds a way to get open and, then, score. Can shoot from mid-range and from three-point territory effectively. He also showed ability to drive and finish. Makes good decisions when he has the ball. Is a quality ball-handler and a good defender.

Dylan Griffin (32) 6-4 forward Blue Wave 9th Lyndsy/Thornton Academy: Has decent ball-handling skills for a big man. Capable of playing forward or center. Can take it to the hoop, either left or right. Can pull up and shoot mid-range shot, or keep going and finish. Very strong under the basket. Solid rebounder and defender.