2019 Smartball Classic Top Performers - 8/15
By David Cordova,
On Thursday night, RecruitTheBronx.com got to the Abraham Lincoln Playground in Harlem for the Smartball Classic, which features teams from the New York-New Jersey area. On this date, The Patrick School (NJ) knocked off St. Raymond and Mount Vernon beat Cardinal Hayes. Here were the standouts in those games.
Malachi Smith, 5-10, Point Guard, St. Raymond High School, Class of 2021 - We are getting a lot of looks at Smith and again he was good at controlling the tempo of the game and ballhandling. Finds plenty of ways to score and is able to absorb physical contact when it comes to driving to the hole. Is mainly a pass-first guard that has the ability to distribute the ball to his teammates.
Reggie Hudson, 6-0, Shooting Guard, St. Raymond High School, Class of 2021 - Hudson has a good handle and is solid when looking to score. Has plenty of quickness and is great at getting to the basket. Has a good jumper from the corner and also is able to give teammates the ball in the right places.
Luis Kortright, 6-2, Shooting Guard, St. Raymond High School, Class of 2020 - Korrigh is another player that we’ve become very familar with. He is very athletic, and here he played bigger than his height due to his team’s lack of size. Has multiple ways of getting to the basket and is great at penetrating to the basket. Is hardworking and has the will to win on the court.
Francesk Pllumaj, 6-1, Guard/Forward, St. Raymond High School, Class of 2021 - Pllumaj that has plenty of energy on the court and is a huge asset for his team. Being that he is a part of a guard-heavy team, he was ready to do the dirty work, which includes grabbing rebounds, diving on the floor and playing defense.
Samson Johnson, 6-10, Forward, The Patrick School (NJ), Class of 2020 - Johnson has a long wingspan and is a huge presence in the low post. Has the ability to block shots and grab rebounds. Is good for getting up in the air and playing above the rim. His size intimidates the opposition and and keeps them from scoring.
Kirk Parsons, 6-0, Point Guard, The Patrick School (NJ), Class of 2020 - Parons is able to handle and control the ball and has good court vision and awareness. Is a shifty guard that knows when to drive the basket and when to facilitate to his teammates. Has a solid IQ.
Zarique Nutter, 6-4, Shooting Guard, The Patrick School (NJ), Class of 2021 - Nutter is able to outmuscle other guards and uses his finesse and physicality to get to the basket. Is good at driving and is able to create his own shot. Is unafraid of physical contact when going up to the basket and is able to draw fouls and get to the free throw line easily.
Dionte Johnson, 6-1, Point Guard, The Patrick School (NJ), Class of 2022 - Johnson is a pass-first floor general who knows when and where to attack on the floor. Is very good at reading the defense and is successful at getting to the hole and driving against the competition.
Al-Fatir Connor, 5-6, The Patrick School (NJ), Class of 2021 - Connor has a good impact on the game despite hislack of size. Is very quick and deceptive and is able to hit his teammates for passes at the right time. Is great at attacking the basket and is able to absorb physical contact, which allows him to draw fouls and get free throws.
Julien Soumaoro, 5-10, Point Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Class of 2020 - Souamoro is good at facilitating and getting his teammates the ball. Also has the ability to beat his man on the offense and is a player that can score in multiple ways. Has plenty of flash in his game, and sometimes struggles with turning over the ball.
Shemani Fuller, 6-7, Forward, Cardinal Hayes High School, Class of 2020 - Fuller is a high profile forward who has some versatility in his game, as he can put the ball on the floor and plays like a guard at his size. Has a long wingspan and uses his length to seal his defender on defense and can also rebound. Is a force in the post when it comes to getting blocks in the paint.
Thomas Hoffman, 5-11, Shooting Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Class of 2020 - Hoffman has the ability to shoot from long range and can burn the opposition when left open. Although he struggles with lack of size and strength, he gives plenty of effort when on the court.
Allea Benjamin, 6-4, Forward, Cardinal Hayes High School, Class of 2020 - Benjamin is solid in the low post and is dependable for his team and can do things that the team needs as far as rebounding and boxing out. Is very strong and active on the court.
Tyliek Weeks, 6-4, Forward, Cardinal Hayes High School, Class of 2022 - Weeks is a low-post presence who has plenty of strength and has good hands. Looks to get blocks on defense and uses his strength to get rebounds over the opposition.
Troy Hupstead, 6-6, Forward, Mount Vernon High School, Class of 2020 - Hupstead once again showed us that he is a bruising forward that who is physically imposing and battles his way for rebounds. He is incredibly versatile with the ball and has a good handle.
Xavier Ruillano, 6-2, Shooting Guard, Mount Vernon High School, Class of 2021 - Ruillano is good at penetrating into the lane and getting to the basket. Has the ability to go up for rebounds and can capitalize by outsmarting the opposition with his toughness and energy.
Irvin Patrick, 6-0, Point Guard, Mount Vernon High School, Class of 2020 - Patrick is good at handling the ball and is good at watching where his teammates are going at all times in order for him to facilitate. A floor general with a good IQ on the court.
Nigel Harris, 6-1, Shooting Guard, Mount Vernon High School, Class of 2020 - Harris does everything on the court and is able to give the maximum effort every time he’s on the floor. Is a player that can give his team points when needed and also can rebound. Handles his role on the team well and has plenty of toughness when on the court.
Nazir Davis, 6-0, Point Guard, Mount Vernon High School, Class of 2020 - Daivs has a knack for scoring and distributing. Loves to get to the basket and has a good shot from the outside. A player that is a solid presence on the court with his distributing of the ball to his teammates.