RTB College Prospect Notes - September, 2020
During the month of September, RecruitTheBronx.com compiled our notes from our discussions with high school, prep school and AAU coaches re any under-recruited college prospects that they had in their programs. Below we present our findings.
2021’s
Ali Aklin (2021) 6’2 guard, Hamden High (CT), AAU Team: New Haven Heat - Aklin is only 16 years old as a rising high school senior, which bodes well for his continued physical development. He plays as hard as anyone on the court, baseline to baseline, lockdown defender. He is an agile, big guard who has effective offensive moves, which allows him to both score and create for others. His length also contributes to his ability to rebound well as a guard.
Glizer Araneta (2021) 5’7 guard, Maspeth High. Araneta is explosive, with a great change-of-pace and quickness. He is also a pest on defense as he gets his hand in passing lanes. He needs to get craftier finishing inside but he has deep range on his 3-point jumper and is becoming a more consistent shooter. Per his coach Dan Franchese, Araneta has good balance and has improved his composure throughout the summertime.
Jhereme Asamoah (2021) 6’3 forward, Norman Thomas High, AAU Team: Love of the Game Elite. Asamoah is a stretch and and power forward. He is a terrific rebounder and screener. Deadly midrange shooter and in the pick and roll. Very coachable and always willing to improve.
Isaiah Bray (2021) 6’1 guard, Palisades Prep - Bray is scoring guard who can score at all three levels. He is best at slashing to the basket but will also knockdown three point shots and mid-range jumpers. For a guard he is a tremendous rebounder and is a disruptor on the defensive end. He can guard all positions except for true centers. He has great instincts and is always out in the passing lanes. According to his Paisades Coach Sean Stahn, Bray’s best quality is his coach-ability and willingness to do whatever it takes for the team to win.
Randy Crosby (2021) 6’0 guard, WHEELS High - Crosby is coming off a first-team all New York State AA selection, and is one of the top returning guards in the city. He is a natural and prolific scorer. As a junior he averaged over 22ppg in leading WHEELS to the PSAL AA Final 4, including many huge performances against the top teams in the city. He is an excellent shooter and finisher and is deadly on the break. He scores from all over the court. He is longer and rangier than a typical 6’0 guard, which helps him be a good defender, rebounder and be effective in the press. Per his coach, he is looking to improve his floor generalship this season, to combine with his killer scoring. Definite Division 1 recruit.
Aren Cummings (2021) 6’5 forward, Masuk High (CT), AAU Team New Haven Heat - Cummings is a Charles Barkley-style player. Her ebounds like a man, no matter who is down there competing with him. He is crafty around the rim and can shoot the face-up when needed.
Lenin Garcia (2021) 6’2 guard All Hallows High. AAU Team: Force NYC - Garcia is a combo guard who can score at will. He has a great penetration dribble and a series of combo moves to create offense for himself. Multi dimensional scorer with a lethal midrange game. Garcia is a vocal leader who is very passionate about being competitive. He needs to improve on shooting the 3 to take his game to the next level.
Elijah Gonzalez (2021) 5’10 point guard, Bathgate Educational Campus - Gonzalez is a heady and crafty point guard that has unlimited shooting range. As a junior, he led Bathgate in three point field goals made and assists. He has great instincts on the court and is always on the attack in transition. Gonzalez is a willing defender and is able to defend both guard positions well. His coach Alan Latortue says Elijah is the ultimate team player, is another coach on the floor, and will embrace whatever role he is given on the team. He is very coachable, and is willing to help his team do what it takes to win as a natural leader.
Hasan Harris (2021) 6’1 guard, Bathgate Educational Campus - Harris is a stat stuffing machine. He is an athletic lefty with a a solid combination of scoring, passing, rebounding and basketball IQ. He is better at the point guard position and plays stronger and bigger than what his height and his frame shows. Harris can defend both guard positions, as well as the small forwards. He is a solid leading the break in transition and running the floor in space. He is a leader, communicator and very coachable young man.
Michael Hernandez (2021) 6’0 shooting guard, Forest Hills High - Hernandez is a very consistent three point shooter and can take it to the basket. He is a good ball handler and plays good defense and boxes out after every shot. He plays smart, knowing when to shoot the ball and when to pass. His gpa is 3.2.
Isaac Lynch (2021) 6’9 forward/center, Bathgate Educational Campus - Lynch is a long arm and athletic big that can run the floor and finish at the rim. He has a developing mid-range shot and has good hands. Lynch really hangs his hat on the defensive end as a very good shot blocker and rebounder. Coach Latortue says that Isaac is a coach’s dream who listens and works hard. He has gotten better every year, his ceiling is limitless and will help any program in any role given to him to win.
Joey Martinez (2021) 5’10 guard, Maspeth High Martinez is a crafty point guard. Tough, and physical with great composure. He has underrated vision and loves to play out of the pick and roll. He can finish inside against bigs due to his array of stepovers and floaters. Needs to become a more consistent 3-point shooter but with his IQ and toughness, he would be a solid pickup for a local D3 program.
Renzo Medina (Class of 2021) - 6’4 forward, Maspeth High. Medina barely played competitive, organized basketball prior to sophomore year. He has a strong frame and is not afraid of contact inside. Needs to become a more consistent shooter but does have range out to the 3-point line. He is a great glue guy because he does not look for the ball and sets screens to free up guards. With continued development he would be a solid piece to a local D3 program.
Luke O’Reardon (2021) 6’2 small forward, Lyman Hall High (CT) AAU Team: Wallingford Warriors - O’Reardon is an athletic and strong small forward whose strengths are his ability to rebound and finish around the basket. He handles the ball well and is a good passer from the post.
Josue Pacheco (2021) 5’10 guard, Bridgeport Prep (CT) - Pacheco is a gritty guard who plays hard on both ends of the court. He shoots the ball well, finishes well and rebounds and creates.
Todd Rochelle (2021) 6’2 guard, St Francis Prep - Rochelle was All CHSAA AA 3rd Team last season. He is a lefty guard, high IQ, ultimate team leader and winner. He can score at all three levels, and is the best on-ball defender at St Francis. High academic
Dominique Tayie (2021) 6’1 shooting guard, Norman Thomas High. AAU Team: Love of the Game - Tayie has a terrific shooting touch. According to his Thomas High coach, Cecilio Gomez, Tayie is a high IQ player with a terrific motor and unbelievable leadership skills.
Albert Vargas (2021) 5’10 point guard, WHEELS High - Vargas is known as “The Energizer Bunny”, and is as hard working as a player can be. According to his coach, Josh Krisnsky, Vargas is always the hardest worker in the gym. He is v ery strong and physical for a guard. He also is extremely fast, quick and shifty. He is a floor general who runs the pick and roll expertly, attacks off the dribble and is an excellent passer. He is good finisher and shot maker, with a good jump shot. Defensively, he’s a monster. He can pick and up and pressure full court using his low center of gravity and great strength to hound opposing guards. Per Coach Krisnsky, Vargas is simply a winning player and the ultimate leader.
Tyler Voisine (2021) 5’11 point guard, Lyman Hall High (CT) AAU Team: Wallingford Warriors - Voisine’s biggest strengths are his ball handling, high basketball IQ and his defense. In addition to being able to get to the basket and score, he also plays the other ends of the floor. He averaged 3.3 steals and 1.7 deflections last winter with Lyman Hall.
Jordan Wiggins (2021), 6’4 swing, Phillip Randoplph Campus - Wiggans is a student-athlete who plays all positions is looking to lead Randolph in all categories (points, rebounds, and assists) in the 2020-21 season. He is a late bloomer because only started playing basketball in 9th grade. He has worked tirelessly during the last two years and has enhanced his ball handling and shooting skills. He can finish at the rim with both hands and plays extremely hard on defense. Has a 90 average in the classroom.
2022s
Julian Baquero (2022) 6’0 guard, All Hallows High - Baquero is a tough hard-nosed wing guard who can play both sides of the floor at a high level. He has a high IQ for the game which is a coach’s dream. Baquero is a vocal leader who holds his teammates accountable and leads by example. He finishes strong at the rim and can create shots for other. Banquero loves to take charges which is a game changer and momentum builder. He is a streaky shooter but can open up a game when he gets hot. He needs to be a more consistent 3 point and free throw shooter in order to take his game to the next level .
Noah Best (2022) 6’5 wing, Mount St. Michael – Best has as long, athletic body. Per his coach, he is improving every day. He is a solid shooter off the bounce and finishes very well at the rim, but must be more consistent on catch and shoot. A very good defender and rebounder. Huge upside. 83 gpa in the classroom. Has already received multiple D1 offers.
Marco Battaglia (2022) 6’3 guard, St Francis Prep - Battaglia is son of a former NFL Tight End, who seems to grow a bit each day. He is a good long range shooter, has a high basketball IQ, will be impactful his first SFP varsity season this upcoming winter.
Latiek Briscoe (2022) 6’2 guard, St Francis Prep - Briscoe made the All CHSAA AA 3rd Team as a sophomore, which bodes well for his future impactfulness. He scores the ball and can make the big play. He is not afraid of the moment, super athletic, physically and a strong great shooter. He got the defensive assignments to guard some of the best scorers in the city, and usually held them significantly below their season averages.
Darius Coleman (2022) 6’3 combo guard, St Mary’s High, AAU Team: NY Jayhawks - Coleman is an aggressive player on both offense and defense. He averaged 14pts as a sophomore for St Mary’s . He is big and strong and can shoot the 3 ball.
Jaden Daughtry (2022) 6’7 guard, St Francis Prep - According to St Francis Prep coach, Jimmy Lynch “Daughtry has the highest ceiling of anyone in our program”. He is a NBA-sized and athletic lefty, who can shoot from distance and get to the basket. Lynch says that Daughtry is improving everyday, and is improving his body this off season
Tyler Hawkins (2022) 5’9 point guard, Mount St. Michael – Hawkins was 3rd team All CHSAA in 2019-20, ad averaged 16pts as a sophomore. He is a terrific mid-range shooter off bounce, and has a great ability to break down a defender and get in lane. Solid defender. Low to mid-range D1 recruit. 81 gpa in classroom. Must think more like a drive-and-kick player vs. only trying to do it all himself
Justin Joly (2022) 6’4 forward, Iona Prep, AAU Team: Go Torey All Stars - Joly is very athletic which allows him to excel on both ends of the court. He can defend either position as well as rebound the ball well. Offensively Joly attacks the rim and also has a good shooting stroke.
Jaden Kempson 6’0 guard, All Hallows High AAU Team:Force NYC Kempson is a natural point guard with a pass-first mentality. He can score at-will and stretches the floor with his 3 point shooting ability. Kempson has the handle to create his own shot as well as shots for his teammates. Per his varsity coach, Sam Alson, once Kempson becomes a vocal leader his game will be ready for the next level.
Delano Knox (2022) 6’3 guard, Arlington High, AAU Program: Go Torey All Stars - Knox is a fluid athletic combo guard with a great ability to finish around the rim. He has a nice shooting touch and rapidly improving range. Coach-able, team-oriented…starter and a defensive leader as a sophomore. He leverages his length and quickness to lock-down opponents’ top perimeter threats.
Key’Sean Maynard (2022) 6’2 guard, St Francis Prep - Maynard, after transferring in from Brentwood High, improved as the 2019-20 season went on. He has a consistent 3 point shot, is improving defensively, gets to the rim and makes the right play.
Jackson McEachern (2022) 6’1 guard, St Mary’s High - McEachern shoots the 3 ball and is a very good on-ball defender. He was St Mary’s 6th man last year with good minutes played as a sophomore. He will be starter this winter. Look for good things to come.
Seydou Traore 6’5 small forward, All Hallows High AAU Team: Force NYC - Traore is a stretch wing player who can shoot the 3 or explode above the rim off the dribble. He rebounds well and changes shots on defense. Traore can guard all five positions on the court. He has an accurate midrange jumpshot, but has to develop a post game to be more versatile for the next level.
Henry White (2022) 6’0 guard, Suffield Academy (CT) - White played high ball for Simsbury High, and then reclassed when he transferred to Suffield Academy. He can score as a quick lefty guard. A sharp shooter, a great defender and playmaker. Scored 30 points in his final state tourney game, and was an All CCC selection as a junior.
Naishon Williams (2022) 6’8 forward, St Mary’s High - Williams can run the floor well. He can hit the mid-range shot and is a good shot blocker.
Taro Zimmerman (2022) 6’0 guard, Berkeley Carroll School. AAU Team: Pro Level Titans - Zimmerman uses an accurate three ball to score and to stretch the defense. He will attack aggressive close-outs with the pump-n-go drives. He drives to score and assist. all, He never backs down from competition. He always plays tough-nosed defense. Most importantly, he hustles and makes the scrappy plays. 3.4 gpa.
2023s
Jayden Brito (2023) 6’2 wing, Norman Thomas High - Brito is a high IQ player who is incredibly quick and athletic especially when operating in the high post. He has a decent shooting stroke and ball handling skill. He needs to get stronger and work on finishing around the basket.
Mason Cottrell (2023) 6’0 guard, East Catholic High (CT), AAU Team: Connecticut Elite - Cottrell has speed and athleticism. His ball handling and court vision are his best attributes, great decision making. He plays defense and has shooting range. Cottrell is a great rebounder and takes pride in that, he is an automatic fast break when he’s got it off the glass.
Moustapha Fofana (2023) 6’2 guard, Frederick Douglass Academy - Fofana is an athletic guard who can get to the basket. He willingly finds open teammates and is very verbal on the court. He is great as both an on-the-ball and help defender.
Matt Garside (2023) 6’0 guard, Kings Pak High. AAU Team: Nassau Pride - Garside is a very heady point guard with excellent play-making ability. He has an excellent stroke from deep, combined with a high basketball IQ.
Mike Gitz (2023) 6’1 shooting guard, Commack High. AAU Team: Nasaau Pride. Per his AAU Coach, Joe Toner, Gitz has one of the purest strokes on Long Island. This regional talent has been recently established himself at Hoop Group Camp where he earned MVP and then All- Star MVP at the All Academic Camp. Although he is an electric offensive player, Coach Toner says Gitz understands and appreciates the value of team basketball.
Aaron Goldstein (2023) 5’10 guard, Xaverian High AAU Team: NJ Shore Shots - Goldstein is a student of the game with high basketball IQ. Possesses a tight handle with the ability to get his own shot. Range is unlimited and shot mechanics are very steady. Loud vocal leaded on defensive end with improved athleticism.
Shay John Boluwasefe (2023) 6’5 wing, Maspeth High - Shay is only starting to scratch the surface of his potential. He is a physical offensive player with range out to the 3-point line. He is a plus defender inside who uses his length to block his shots. Potential high level player based on his development over the next couple of years. Averaged close to a double-double in the playoffs as a freshman.
John “Tife” Boluwasefe (2023) 6’2 wing, Maspeth High - Much like his twin brother, Tife is only scratching the surface of his potential. He has started to learn crafty moves inside, while still recovering from a heel injury. He has great range on his jumpshot which reaches beyond the 3-point line. Needs to become more consistent. He is a strong man-2-man defender who uses his length to corral opponents.
Adrian Olivo (2023) 5’10 guard, Maspeth High. Per his Coach Dan Franchese, Olivo is currently more of an off-ball guard but will be developed into a point guard in his upperclassmen seasons. He has plus range on his 3 point shot and hits it consistently. Played JV basketball in 2019-20 and set a record for most 3 pointers in a season.
Josh Pascarelli (2023) 6’4 guard, St Francis Prep - Pascarelli had a tremendous season for the SFP Frosh team, averaging over 20ppg. He can shoot the three, and reads the defense exceptionally well. He will be attempting to make his mark on a very loaded St Francis Prep varsity squad this winter.
Mysonne Pollard (2023) 6’3 wing, Bridgeport Prep - Pollard is a super-athletic dog, scrappy on both end floor. Pollard is bouncy and is strong in transition.
Wyatt Triestman (2023) 6’6 forward, Brunswick School (CT), AAU Team: Go Torey All Stars - Triestman is a versatile, left handed, big that can have a strong impact on a game. He can shoot from deep, but also has the ability to finish from all angles around the rim.
Bradley Wyckoff (2023) his 6’3 forward, Chaminade Hugh. AAU Team: Nassau Pride - Wyckoff is often the best athlete on the floor. He runs the floor better then most guards and cleans up on the boards. He has a very high basketball IQ and an excellent touch.
2024s
Jayden Diaz (2024) 5’7 guard, Bethpage High, AAU Team: Nassau Pride - Diaz is fearless when attacking the basket and can score with either hand. He is
tenacious and quick on defense, and plays the passing lanes well. He hustles on both ends of the court and is willing to do the little things to help his team win
Quentin Duncan (2024) 6’4 guard, Sacred Heart High (CT) AAU Team: NY Lightning - Duncan is training with the Mizzwerk Training Group and they feel that the rising freshman has Division 1 intangibles already. He can finish at the rim. He can also control and take over a game. The most important part of his game, according to Mizzwerk, is that Duncan doesn’t get rattled or sped up during the course of game. A key trait for a point guard.
Jordan Willams (2024) 6’0 guard, High School TBD, AAU Team: Purple Reign Warriors - Williams hails from the Bronx, and is still in the process of choosing his high school. According to his AAU coach Hassan Bilal, Williams has the potential to be a bona fide star. Williams has a non-stop motor and plays like a tough NYC kid. He is aggressive, attacks the rim with authority, finishes at a high level. He is developing as a shooter but already has the knack for hitting big shots. He is coachable.