2023 Nate Blue Showcase Standouts

By David Cordova,

On Thursday night, Recruit The Bronx paid a visit to the Louis D. Brandeis Educational Campus on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for the annual Nate Blue Showcase. This event is a part of the College Educational Showcase Weekend, where college coaches descend into New York City looking for unsigned seniors. Nate Blue is a long time NYC scout, who has been prolific in helping get the word and video out on the City’s high potential players for years. In this event, there were plenty of gems in the building shining in front of the coaches, looking for a chance to earn a college scholarship. Here are the standouts from the senior games:

Prince Karnate (2023) 6-4, Shooting Guard, Samuel Gompers High School - A guard that has a penchant for driving to the basket and has the ability to make his presence felt with his speed. Has the ability to play above the rim and can attack the basket in transition. Has the ability to use his strength to impose his will when it comes to driving to the offensive end.

Isaiah Wright (2023) 6-4, Shooting Guard, Cardozo High School - A guard that has plenty of length and has a lot of court vision. Is a player that likes to drive to the basket and is able to go up strong when driving to the hole. Finds a way to be a force with his long wingspan, as he is also a solid rebounder, who will also take off and get to the other end of the court after crashing the boards.

Omari Webb (2023) 6-0, Point Guard, MacDuffie School (MA) - A guard that attracts plenty of attention when on the offensive end of the court. Is very quick and deceptive when he has the ball in his hands and can make his presence felt with his scoring. Has a penchant for shooting high-volume shots from three-point range. Has the ability to distribute the ball to his teammates.

Leiton Woods (2023) 6-3, Shooting Guard, Queens High School of Teaching - A guard that has the ability to make plays when on the court. Is very shifty and has the ability to hold his own when on the offensive end. Is a player that loves to showcase his athleticism when he goes to play above the rim.

Mamadou Traore (2023) 6-1, Point Guard, Prestige Prep School (NJ) - A guard that has the ability to be a floor general when he’s on the court. Is able to distribute the ball to his teammates when he’s on the fast break and can see the floor very well. Is very explosive and has a quick first step on the floor, as he looks to get to the basket with ease.

Ryan Leonardo (2023) 6-6, Forward, John F. Kennedy Educational Campus - A forward that has a long wingspan and can do many things when on the court. Has a penchant for rebounding and getting out on the fast break at all times. Has a penchant for shooting at a high-volume and is fearless when going to the basket.

Jayden James (2023) 6-3, Shooting Guard, Archbishop Molloy High School - A guard that is able to play with reckless abandon on the court and plays with true heart and determination on the court. Is a very athletic player that can make plays on the court and is also a great passer. Has a nice shooting touch from three-point range and from the mid-range area.

Bryce Simmons (2024) 6-1, Point Guard, Wings Academy - A guard that has plenty of grit and determination in his game. Is very fearless when going to the basket and can also impose his presence on the defensive end by sticking with his man and obtaining rebounds and getting on the break. Is also a player that can shoot from the perimeter.

Jabari Philip (2023) 6-4, Forward, Monsignor Scanlan High School - A forward that is a powerful inside presence in the post area, due to his physical strength and his ability to outmuscle and outwork the opposition. Has the ability to use his athleticism when in the low post and is a great finisher in the paint area.

Jaden Kempson (2023) 6-4, Shooting Guard, Covenant College Prep School - A guard that loves to run on the fast break and looks to score at all times. Is a player that is fearless when driving to the lane and can also hit jumpers from mid-range and from three-point range. Is a good defender that can stick with his man and obtain steals.

Nankouma Dioubate (2022) 5-11, Point Guard, Epic South High School - A guard that has plenty of speed and always looks ahead when he has the ball in his hands. Is a great facilitator to his teammates, as he knows where to get them the ball at all times. Has a penchant for going to the basket and finishing strong. Is able to attack in transition and can hit mid-range jumpers.