2017 ZG Grand Finale
By Claire Mulgrew
Zero Gravity hosted its “The Grand Finale” which marked the last of its Spring 2017 pre National Finals,Westchester County area events. Here were the Top Performers that we saw at the House of Sports in ardsley New York
Sean Rivera (2018) 6’0” Guard High School: Salesian HS (NY) Hometown: Bronx, NY AAU Team: Bluewave Basketball. Rivera plays smart, always able to anticipate plays before they happen. He has good range and is often found under the boards grabbing rebounds.
Ceasar Lugo (2019) 6’0” Guard High School: Cardinal Spellman HS (NY) Home Town: Bronx, NY AAU Team: Bluewave Basketball. Lugo is tough under the basket causing him to come up with many rebounds and put backs. He is quick, making him a good defender as well.
Akime Truesdale (2019) 5’8” Point Guard High School: Woodlands HS (NY) Hometown: Greenburgh, NY AAU Team: Minutemen Athletic Club. Truesdale controls his team’s tempo and is responsible with the ball. He is quick and makes good moves to the basket. He also is a consistent foul shooter.
Nate Lewis (2019) 5’9” Point Guard High School: Edgemont HS (NY) Hometown: Edgemont, NY AAU Team: Westchester Shockers. Lewis is a hustler on the court. He can drive and quickly get to the basket for points down low.
Ramon Salazar (2020) 5’11” Guard High School: Sleepy Hallow HS (NY) Hometown: Sleepy Hallow, NY AAU Team: Westchester Shockers. Salazar has a quick shot release and you can find him shooting from anywhere on the court. He also has good ball handling skills.
Manny Perez (2019) 5’10” Point Guard High School: Sleepy Hallow HS (NY) Hometown: Sleepy Hallow, NY AAU Team: Westchester Shockers. Perez does it all for his team, he is a great player who hustles every minute he is in the game. He always finds a way to cut and get inside to the basket. He also has a good outside shot. He has a good control over the ball.
Taijon Tribble (2019) 6’1” Power Forward/Center High School: Briarcliff HS (NY) Hometown: Elmsford, NY AAU Team: Westchester Shockers. Tribble is able to take up space on the court with his size and presence. He gets good passes off and has a consistent 3 point shot.
Daniel Williams (2019) 6’3” Small Forward High School: Sleepy Hallow HS (NY) Hometown: Sleepy Hallow, NY AAU Team: Westchester Shockers. Williams is a strong defensive player who is able to get steals, go up strong to the basket and dribble through traffic well.
Isaiah Burgess (2019) 6’4” Center/Forward High School: Sleepy Hallow HS (NY) Hometown: Tarrytown, NY AAU Team: Westchester Shockers. Burgess is able to understand where the ball will be and read passes with ease. He gets to the basket even under pressure and traffic. He is able to take up space in the paint.
Charles Velazquez (2019) 6’2” Wing High School: Sleepy Hallow HS (NY) Hometown: Elmsford, NY AAU Team: Westchester Shockers. Velazquez has a long range, and is a good ball handler. He has long arms enabling him to easily annoy defenders.
Jaden Shelton (2019) 5’8” Point Guard High School: Woodlands HS (NY) Hometown: Greenburgh, NY AAU Team: Minutemen Athletic Club. Though not the tallest player on the court, Shelton does not shy away from contact. He is tough and hustles on every play.
Rayvonne Acosta (2019) 6’0” PG/SG High School: Kenneth B. Clark Academy (NY) Hometown: Bronx, NY AAU Team: Minutemen Athletic Club. A good rebounder and his toughness is what allows Acosta to match up against taller or bigger players. He plays smart, often leading to good passes.
Jordan Gray (2020) 6’0” Small Guard High School: Clark Academy (NY) Hometown: Bronx, NY AAU Team: Minutemen Athletic Club. Gray’s quickness makes him hard to defend and also a good defender. He is a good ball handler and quality guard for his team.