2018 Big Apple Invitational

By Derrick Irving @CoachDIrving


Saturday January 13th and Monday January 15th RecruitTheBronx was on hand to watch the 14th Annual Big Apple Basketball Invitational at Xavier HS in Manhattan, NY. One of the most anticipated HS tournaments of the year in NYC, that showcases many D1 bound players every year did not dissapoint this year. The two day tournament is run by Big Apple Basketball President Jason Curry.

Here are our top prospects:

Jaden Faulkner 2018 6’4 Combo Guard Eleanor Roosevelt (MD) - runs the break well can finish thru traffic on the drive, creates driving lanes has good handle, active defender with quick hands, good playmaker on the dribble drive. Needs to be a more consistent outside shooter.


Femi Odukale 2019 6’5 Small Forward South Shore HS - good catch and shoot 3pt shooter, can finish inside, moves his feet well on defense, quality perimeter handle, athletic rebounder, stays with the play on both ends. Needs to work on his slashing moves and first step.

Isaiah Richards 2019 6’9 Center South Shore HS - rim protector great timing on his blocks, quick hands on defense can blast up and contain perimeter players ,plays the passing lanes, runs the floor hard, athletic, long arms. Needs to add muscle to bang down low and secure the ball better.


Sekou Sylla 2018 6’5 Forward South Shore HS - attacks the basket strong, can finish thru contact on the drive, good defender inside-out, quick first step, athletic rebounder. Needs to work on his outside shot.


Anfernee Simons 2018 6’4 Shooting Guard IMG (FL) - cerebral scorer, good 3pt shooter, great pull-up jumper from mid-range good balance and elevation, attacks the basket strong can finish thru traffic, quick first step, good perimeter defender, explosive leaper, stays with the play, high IQ.


Eric Ayala 2018 6’5 Combo Guard IMG (FL) - crafty finisher on the drive thru traffic and contact, good 3pt shooter, good footwork with the ball on the perimeter has an array of moves to get separation, attacks many angles on the court, good change of pace dribble, good court vision makes timely passes, high IQ. Committed to University of Maryland (MD)


De’Lazurus Keys 2018 6’8 Power Forward IMG (FL) - can stretch the floor out to 3pt line, good faceup scorer, good footwork with the ball on the perimeter for a big, good inside finisher, good rebounder on both ends.


Jared Rhoden 2018 6’6 Small Forward Our Saviour Lutheran - one of the purest scorers in NYC, great footwork with the ball on the perimeter has an array of moves to get separation, 3pt sniper off the dribble and catch, attacks the basket strong and draws contact, can score inside-out, high IQ offensively. Committed to Seton Hall University (NJ)


Posh Alexander 2020 6’0 Point Guard Our Saviour Lutheran - one of the top PG’s in NYC, good 3pt shooter can get hot from deep, attacks the basket strong adept at drawing fouls, explosive leaper, shifty handle gets to his spots, good playmaker, tough perimeter defender, athletic rebounder goes all out on the boards for a guard, high energy involved in every play, high IQ, strong body.


DaShawn Davis 2019 6’1 Guard Our Saviour Lutheran - good 3pt shooter, can score inside-out, good pull-up jumper, attacks the basket strong can finish thru traffic, flashy playmaker, good perimeter defender. Needs to develop his mid-range game more.


Aidan Igiehon 2019 6’10 Center Lawrence Woodmere Academy - athletic inside finisher, good free throw shooter for a big, good shot blocker, tenacious athletic rebounder, moves feet very well on defense, vocal on defense, explosive leaper, runs the court very well, high energy shows good emotion on the court. Needs to be a more consistent inside finisher, secure the ball better down low, and work on his mid-range shot.


Tyler St. Furcy 2019 6’4 Shooting Guard Lawrence Woodmere Academy - athletic finisher on the break can go coast to coast, can finish thru traffic on the drive, good pull-up jumper, good handle. Needs to get stronger to be more effective thru contact.


Dallas Watson 2018 6’4 Combo Guard St. Raymond - attacks the basket strong can finish thru contact, okay 3pt shooter, quick first step, shifty handle, good playmaker, tough perimeter defender moves his feet well, strong body. Needs to improve his 3pt shooting.


Omar Silverio 2018 6’4 Shooting Guard St. Raymond - good 3pt shooter, good footwork with the ball on the perimeter,  good pull-up jumper, can score on all three levels, adept at drawing contact on the drive, shifty handle, quality playmaker at off guard, decent perimeter defender. Committed to Santa Clara University (CA)


Gary Grant 2020 6’6 Wing St. Raymond - can finish thru traffic on the drive, decent pull-up jumper, good slashing moves, good passer, moves well without the ball, long and lanky frame. Needs to get stronger to be more effective thru contact.


Devon Dotson 2018 6’2 Point Guard Providence Day (NC) - good 3pt shooter, attacks the basket strong, crafty finisher thru contact adept at drawing contact on the drive, quick handle creates good separation, good court vision, non-stop motor, always in attack mode. Needs to move better without the ball. Committed to University of Kansas (KS)


Tyson Etienne 2019 6’0 Point Guard Long Island Lutheran - good 3pt shooter, attacks the basket strong sneaky athleticism, good handle, pesky perimeter defender, strong body. Needs to improve his playmaking skills.


Jose Perez 2018 6’5 Wing Putnam Science Academy (CT) - can score on all three levels, coast to coast finisher, good footwork with the ball on the perimeter, flashy playmaker good court vision, point-forward, fights for rebounds, moves well without the ball. Streaky outside shooter at times.


Osun Osunniyi 2018 6’10 Center Putnam Science Academy (CT) - athletic inside finisher, decent post moves, good shot blocker, good hands clean catches in stride, good agility runs the floor hard, long arms. Needs to improve his low post game and get stronger to bang down low at next level. Committed to LaSalle University (PA).


Hassan Diarra 2020 6’3 Point Guard Putnam Science Academy (CT) - smart finisher on the drive, good playmaker controls the offense, tough perimeter defender, quick hands on defense, hustles on both ends stays with the play, unselfish player, doesn’t try to force anything limits his mistakes. Needs to be more aggressive on offense and look for his shot more.


Kareem Reid 2020 6’8 Power Forward Putnam Science Academy (CT) - athletic putback finisher, good shot blocker good timing, athletic rebounder, long arms. Needs to add muscle to bang down low and fight thru contact, needs to secure the ball better inside.


Evan Goldberg 2018 6’10 Center Cheshire Academy - soft touch around the basket, good rebounder, tough player, big body uses it to his advantage. Needs to work on his agility on the court and improve his vetical will help him grab more rebounds and be a better interior defender.