RTB College Prospect Notes - December 2020
During the month of December, 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
Bryan Adams (2021) 6’2 point guard, Frederick Gunn School (CT), AAU Team: Minutemen - Adams scored 20ppg in his 2019-20 season and made All NEPSAC Class B Honorable Mention. He has since put on 15lbs of muscle and had a great summer season per his Gunn coach, Brian Konick. He is getting D1 walk-on recruitment as well as several D2 and high academic D3’s like Babson College and Bentley College.
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.
Colin Arroyo (2021) 6’2 small forward, St. Edmund Prep - Arroyo is much improved strength-wise from last season. He can make shots from the perimeter and rebound the ball. He should be a major contributor this season. Projected to be a small college level player by his coach Dan Wiatre.
Michael Blackman (2021) 6’1 guard, The Academy of Science and Innovation (CT) - Blackman is a strong finisher at the rim, has good range and shoots well off the dribble. He is also strong defender.
Gabe Charleston (2021) 6’6 wing, Westminster School (CT) - Charleston has made some serious strides during and since his junior season campaign. The ultra-athletic wing proved that he can be an elite defender and shoot the three-point shot at a high level. He is also a terrific rebounder. During his junior season, he averaged 17ppg, 10rpg, and 3 blocks against NEPSAC competition. He also shot close to 40% from three on the season. Charleston has a good amount of D1 interest and a D2 offer, with other D2 programs showing a ton of interest. Recently, he had a strong showing at The Academy National Camp held in North Carolina in December, which was an invite-only event with national level players.
Malik Cole (2021) 6’3 guard, St. Edmund Prep - Cole is a versatile, do-it-all guard. St Edmund’s caoch, Dan Wiatre says Cole is a scholarship level player. He has good size and athleticism. Averaged 10ppg, 7 rpg, and 5 apg as junior on a senior dominated team. He also led the team in dunks. This season he should double those numbers. In the classroom, he has a 93 average in IB courses.
Kyle Dunn (2021) 6’2 small forward, St. Edmund Prep, AAU Team: Brooklyn All Stars - Dunn is an athletic player that can run the floor and defend. This will be his 3rd year as a starter. Kyle should be a 12-14 point scorer this season. He is also the starting center fielder on the baseball team. Kyle has a 90 average. St Edmund’s caoch, Dan Wiatre projects Dunn as a college level player.
Brian Fajardo (2021) 6’0 point guard, AECI Charter School - Fajardo is a pass-first guard who looks to get his teammates the easiest shot possible. He has high energy and a high motor, and can shoot the ball well. He carries himself with a high level confidence that his teammates feed off of. 3.5 gpa at his New York City charter school for architecture, engineeering and construction industries.
Timothy Fraylon (2021) 6’1 guard, The Academy of Science and Innovation (CT) - Fraylon is a physical and versatile player, who gets to the rim well.
Jalen Gordon (2021) 6’3 guard, Capital Prep Magnet School (CT) - Gordon has a strong and athletic frame and can play and defend multiple positions. Gordon impacts the game on offense and defense, and keeps defenders honest with his ability to drive to the basket and shoot the 3.
Nahzeer Henry (2021) 6’0 guard, Capital Prep Magnet School (CT) - Henry is a shooter who can alson pressure the ball defensively. Henry is deceptively athletic and can handle the ball.
Dashawn Hill (2021) 6’0 guard, The Academy of Science and Innovation (CT) - Hill gets to the rim well, has good range, and is very disruptive defensively.
Chris Hough (2021) 6’3 guard, Capital Prep Magnet School (CT) - Hough can shoot the 3, and attack the basket finishing with either hand. Hough uses his length and athleticism to defend and close out on shooters. His speed and timing enable him to block jump shots.
Jon Jacobs (2021) 6’2 guard, Academy for Aerospace and Engineering, AAU Team: Next Level. Jacobs is an All State selection with a college ready frame and strong build. Extremely tough getting downhill and attacking the basket. He is one of the better rebounding guards in the State, can advance the ball on his own or does a great job filling lanes. Jacobs does a great job using screens and is a high volume shooter. High Academic prospect, receiving interest from UAA schools.
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.
Oscar Martinez (2021) 6’0 guard, Richard Green High - Martinez has been a varsity player all four years of high school. He was RGHS’ leading scorer as a junior. He is a good shooter. He has a long wingspan which leads to steals in help defense. He is also good at running the fast break.
Gabe Matias (2021) 6’3 guard, The Academy of Science and Innovation (CT) - Mathias is a very strong shooter He is active on the boards. Defensively, he uses his length well, and can guard multiple positions.
Renzo Medina (2021) 6’4 forward, Maspeth High - Medina barely played competitive, organized basketball prior to his sophomore year, but is showing very rapid progress. He has a strong frame and is not afraid of contact inside. He needs to become a more consistent shooter, but does have range out to the 3-point line. His varsity coach, Dan Franchese says that Medina is a great “glue guy” because he does not look for the ball and aggressively sets screens to free up his guards. With continued development, he will be a solid piece to a local D3 program.
Keith Mency (2021) 6’2 point guard, Archbishop Stepinac High, AAU Team: NJ Beasts - Mency is a guard that has a lot of energy on the floor and is very active when getting after it on defense. He is very quick and uses his speed to get to the hole so that he could score at will. He is also someone who can shoot off the dribble.
Kadeem McKnight (2021) 6’0 guard, Capital Prep Magnet School (CT) - McKnight is a defensive minded playmaker with a solid handle that allows him to get to the basket. McKnight is a legitimate two sport athlete (receiving college football interest) and a high academic student.
Brady Palazzesi (2021) 5’10 guard, Somers High School, AAU Team: Next Level - Palazzesi can play on the ball or off it with great success. He has a tremendous motor and can start/stop and change directions on a dime. His compact frame is extremely strong, and he creates well around the basket and can finish through contact. He shoots it at a high level from any spot on the court. Put him on the ball and Brady is just as effective creating for others and finding open team mates. Defensively, he is always assigned to the opponent’s major threat. Getting interest from NEWMAC and CCC schools.
Olin Peterson (2021) 6’2 guard, Westminster School (CT) - Peterson is a dynamic guard from Seattle, WA who is doing a post-graduate yeat at Westminster. He is a crafty guard that can really shoot the three from anywhere on the floor. What makes him unique is his ability to get his shot off due to his array of different moves. Peterson is a strong guard that knows how to handle contact when going to the rim. What impresses his prep school coach the most is his ability to play solid defense. He possesses a rare level of leadership qualities. His recruitment is still open, right now, he has several high academic D3 programs showing the most interest.
Jonah Phang (2021) 6’8 Forward. Archbishop Stepinac High, AAU Team: Gauchos - Phang is a long big man who can block shots and finish around the rim. Can face up and knock down shots up to 15 feet. Improving finishing with his back to the basket.
James Rawlins (2021) 6’4 wing, Notre Dame-West Haven (CT), AAU Team: DTX Basketball - Rawlins is a physical small forward. He is an excellenrt defender and is coachable. 3.0 gpa.
Christian Sanders (2021) 5’11 guard, Trumbull High (CT), AAU Team: DTX Basketball - Sanders is a physical when playing the point. He is energetic. He is strong as a full court defender. 3.0 gpa.
Rob Shelansky(2021) 6’5 wing, The Master’s School (CT), AAU Team: Next Level - Shelansky is a HVAL All Conference Selection two years in a row as a sophomore and junior. He shoots it at a high level with great range, can put it on the floor and score at all 3 levels. He is active on the glass on both ends of the floor. Keeps plays alive with a high motor and getting deflections. He sees the floor well and led his conference in blocks the last two seasons.
Ahmad Storey (2021) 6’0 guard, Capital Prep Magnet School (CT) - Story scores in different ways, but is best in the open court. Storey attacks the defense, makes plays and draws fouls, putting himself on the free throw line frequently.
Joshua Zangerle (2021) 6’5 shooting guard, Archbishop Stepinac High, AAU Team: City Rocks - Zangerle has a long wingspan and length and is able to get rebounds and block shots. Known for his ability to knock down shots in bunches. He can finish above the rim. Lights out shooter.
2022’s
Isaiah Alexander (2022) 6’7 wing. Archbishop Stepinac High, AAU Team: Team Rio - Alexander transferred to Stepinac from Bethlehem Catholic in PA. The Division 1 offered small forward plays above the rim, is long, athletic and physical on both ends of the floor. Can handle the ball for his size and his shot making is improving.
Joel Baez (2022) 6’4 wing. Archbishop Stepinac High, AAU Team: New Heights - Baez is a long and athletic wing. Has 4 Division 1 offers with tons of Mid Major - Ivy, MAAC, NEC and Patriot league interest. He has drastically improved his playmaking, his ability to finish above and over defenders. With his size and speed he can guard multiple positions. His shot has also improved.
Jon Borkowski (2022) 5’11 combo guard, Kings Park High. Borkowski started as a sophomore on a 20-3 team. He can knock down the 3 and drive to the hoop. He is a tenacious defender. He wasas runner-up for “Rookie of the Year” in his high school league. He will be expanding his role as junior and senior. AP-level student.
Rodney Cook (2022) 6’0 guard, Amistad High (CT) - Cook is an athletic lefty. Quick and bouncy. Smooth mechanics on his jump shot; made a high percentage of his shots from the arc. Displayed a high motor in all phases of the game - offense, defense, rebounding, and transition. Unusually high number of rebounds for a perimeter player. Consistently communicating with teammates on the defensive end. Late bloomer with considerable room for more development. The following 6-play sequence is a good summary: Drive and kick assist, Drive and finish at the rim against contact from 6’5 power forward, 3 ball left corner, Dunk in traffic after a basket cut, Transition drive and dish assist to baseline cutter, 3 ball right wing.
Quincy Ferguson (2022) 6’4 guard, Capital Prep Magnet School (CT) - Ferguson is a skilled guard with size and strength. He is a player that can play both inside and out with his ability to post up smaller players, and shoot the 3 with range. Ferguson is also a high academic student.
Jack Dominello (2022) 6’0 guard, Cheshire High (CT) - Dominello very strong driving to the basket. He also has a wide wingspan that allows him to play strong man to man defense. His mid range jumper is solid. He is also a solid student.
Samuel Gibbs (2022) 6’3 Guard. Archbishop Stepinac High, AAU Team: PSA Cardinals - Gibbs who has started in the backcourt his first two years bolsters a 4.0 GPA off the court. Holds offers and interests from the Ivy and Patriot league. The lefty has improved physically and as a leader. Making shots at a high level now, getting to the rim and playmaking for others.
Kymani Glenn (2022) 5’9 guard, Brooklyn Law and Tech - Glenn is a pass-first guard who sees the floor well. He plays good on-the-ball defense. He has a good mid-range game and improving 3pt shot.
Elijah Graig (2022) 5’9 guard, Capital Prep Magnet School (CT) - Graig is a shooter with a good overall feel for the game. Graig’s shooting ability opens the floor for his scoring and playmaking.
Francisco Mattei (2022) 5’11 guard. Archbishop Stepinac High, AAU Team: Riverside Hawks - Mattei is a tough, lefty NYC guard. Has a few Division 1 offers, has the ability to knock down shots, pull up on the dime. Improving his decision making and tough defense.
Nathaniel Maldonando (2022) 6’0 guard, Frederick Gunn School (CT), AAU Team: Back 2 Basics - Maldonando transferred from Arch Bishop Stepinac and reclassied into the NEPSAC boarding school,Fredercik Gunn School. His coach there, Brian Konick says the solidly academic Bronx native is long, quick and shifty and is looking forward to showing out against the other college prospects that run in NEPSAC.
Angel Mejia (2022) 6’2 guard, New Dorp High, AAU Team: NY Select - Mejia brings a lot help to his team with both scoring and defense. He has the abiltiy and willingness to fill many roles. He will pick up a lot of interest from the Division 3 and JUCO level schools. His 3.2 gpa gets him onto the RTB Academic Prospect screens.
Milun Micanovic (2022) 6’10 center/forward, Knox School - Micanovic came over from Europe as repeat junior. He has good court vision and passing ability. He rebounds with size and strength at both ends. He can shoot the face up, out to the 3 point line. He is versatile for his excellent size. 3.7 gpa.
Keyshawn Mitchell (2022) 6’9 guard, Capital Prep Magnet School (CT) - Mitchell is a NBA-sized playmaking guard can play and defend all five positions. He can get to the basket, pass out of double-teams, as well as well as shoot the 3. His biggest asset is his versatility.
AJ Petraitis (2022) 6’4” swingman, Kings Park High - Petraitis saw some minutes coming off the bench as a sophomore last year. Now, he has really developed physically and skill wise in past year. Heill start at forward spot for his varsity team, but has guard skills along with his college-sized, big guard height. He will continue to expand his role as junior and senior. AP-level student.
Justin Phillips (2022) 5’9 guard Granby Memorial High (CT), AAU Team: Connecticut Elite - Phillips pushes the ball up and down the court at breaking speeds, beating anyone off the dribble. He punishes defenses by constantly getting into the lane, creating scoring opportunities for himself and others. Phillips crafty passing and elite long distance shooting makes him an exciting player to watch.
Daniel Roberts (2022) 5’19 point guard, Rye High, AAU Team: Courtmasters Elite - This winter, Roberts is headed for a break out season as Rye starter. As sophomore, he was backing up a set of strong seniors. He was an off the bench contributor on a Section 1 championship team, who beat the defending state champions en route to earning that title. He has an exceptional off-hand and above average court sense.
Eric Saunders (2022) 6’3 guard, Olympus Prep (NJ), AAU Team: NY Ghost Elite - Saunders loves training for the game of basketball, he will also do anything on the court that helps a team win. He likes making plays when under pressure and creating for his teammates. He is a good shooter and has the confidence to get his shot off whenever necessary.
Mehki Tyson-Slaughter (2022) 6’0 guard, Capital Prep Magnet School (CT) Tyson-Slaugther is strong and athletic, and most dangerous in the open floor. He rebounds aggressively and can guard multiple positions. He uses his high motor to impact the game in multiple ways.
Sam Wooding (2023) 6’0 guard St John’s Prep, AAU Team: Long Island Swarm - Wooding has great court vision and high level passing skills. He’s known for his 3 point shot as he can make them in bunches. Sam plays unselfishly, more concerned with getting his teammates involved, than his own stats. 3.8 gpa
2023’s
Timothy Charles (2023) 6’9 forward, Olympus Academy (NJ), AAU Team: Team NYC - Charles is mentally tough and has a good sense of awareness about the game. He is a great defensive player. He is quick and agile and can get to the rim with ease.
Mason Cottrell (2023) 6’1 guard East Catholic High (CT), AAU Team: Connecticut Elite - Cottrell is a long guard who has range and also makes a living getting to the basket. He is excellent in transition due to his speed and physical play. Cottrell uses his defense to create extra scoring opportunities for himself. He is very fun to watch due to the energy he brings to the game. Prep Hoops New England has him as #33 in their NE born players rankings.
Luke Cronin (2023) 6’6 small forward, Great Neck North High, AAU Team: NY Rens - Cronin appears to still be growing. He is plays like a stretch 4, Baby Jokic type. I.e., he has great passing ability and a nice touch from three. He has mature, throw-back footwork in the low post. He is a prolific shotblocker, averaging 5 per game as a sophomore. 3.75 gpa. (His 6’2 brother, Jackson committed to University of Nebraska for the Fall of 2021).
Marcello Demerski (2023) 6’0 guard, Westminster School (CT), AAU Team: Connecicut Elite - Demerski is a diamond in the rough. Since his days at Eaglebrook School, he has been a special player that not many people know about. Demerski has one of the highest basketball IQ’s for his age that his prep school coach, David Pringle ever has seen. The way he sees the game from a guard’s perspectvie is actually special. During his freshman season, he averaged 10ppg and 5apg against NEPSAC varsity competition. He can shoot the three consistently and he’s one of the better free throw shooters on his team. Pringle is expecting Demerski to take huge strides because he continues to improve in every phase of the game.
Backanda Diolizel (2023) 6’9 forward, High School: TBD, AAU Team: CT Rivals - Diolizel is a high major project. A very long and athletic 6’9 lefty. Diolizel runs and pushes the ball like a gazelle. His high release jumper is solid. He is looking for a prep school to transfer into from his home in the Congo.
Jordan Elliott (2023) 6’2 guard, Sacred Heart High (CT), AAU Team: Mustapha Heron Academy - Elliott is a fast guard that can finish around the rim. He can defend well on and off the ball and can knock down open shots. He also can find the open man and push the ball up the floor. On top of that, he has great awareness and is a great team leader.
Matthew Garside (2023) 6’2 combo guard, Kings Park High, AAU Team: Nassau Pride. Garside can play the point or or shooting guard. He is a deadly 3 point shooter with a knack for scoring at all 3 levels. He will push for starting spot this year as a sophomore, and is expected to have a breakout season. 95+ student.
Raymond Gillespie (2023) 6’4 small forward, Brooklyn Law and Tech - Gillespie is a very good shooter as a stretch four. He is a smart player and rebouinds the basketball. His coaches think that he has tremendous upside.
Darien Gillins (2023) 6’2 combo guard, Beacon High, AAU Team: NY Gauchos - Gillens is a leader on the court. He works hard to put his team in the best position to succeed on the floor. On defense, he is a high energy and aggressive player and he sets the tone for that style of play. On offense, Gillins is always in attack mode, and can score on multiple levels. He sees the floor well.
Nehemiah Johnson (2023) 6’0 guard, Capital Prep Magnet School (CT) - Johnson is a defensive minded and pass-first guard. He has 3 point range and handles the ball effectively against pressure. Johnson is a high academic student.
Matt Maged (2023) 6’5 small forward Greens Farms Academy (CT) - Maged was GFA’s Most Improved Player this past winter. He plays hard and fearless. He had a great year last season and made the most out of it. He has a high IQ and is a capable 3 pt shooter. As Maged develops physically and gets stronger, his copach believes that he could be a nice player at a quality D3.
Spencer Mahoney (2023) 6’7 small forward, Iona Prep, AAU Team: New Heights - Mahoney has a very strong skillset and high IQ. He is known for his tremendous ability to shoot from the 3. At 6’7” and possibly still growing, he possesses a good handle, footwork and knows how to quickly advance the ball up the court and make plays happen. He’s spent the last year working out every day and has built a lot of strength and explosiveness. He is a much stronger, faster player than he was in his frosh year. 3.7 gpa.
Sebastian Matz (2023) 6’4 shooting guard, IMG Academy, AAU Team: We Got Next - Matz is a Westchester native sharper shooter, with 3 and D skills. Is proficient at coming off of screens and gets his teammates involved on the offense 3.8 gpa.
Alec Mercer (2023) 5’10 guard, Bronxville High, AAU Team: Swarm - Mercer excels at getting downhill to the basket, and is efficient with his dribble. He is a good shooter from perimeter. He finds open teammates with good passes to help them score or create plays. Mercer makes the right play can score when needed. 3.5 gpa.
Hami Nidaye (2023) 6’8 forward, Darrow School, AAU Team: Expressions Elite - Nidaye is still learning the game of basketball but he is showing the potential to be really good. He knows how to use his big body to rebound the ball. On the offensive end, He is a really good screener, but he needs some to improvement with catching and finishing around the basket. He is showing tremendous work ethic since recently arriving at Darrow.
Braden Sosnik (2023) 5’10 point guard, Herricks High, AAU Team: Sosnik is a speedy facilitator with great ball skills. He has a knack for penetrating and feeding the big man or kicking it out to a shooter. He is also a tenacious on-ball defender and his energy and fearless competitive nature leads his team by example. He can stroke it from behind the arc as well, shooting over 40%.
Aston Sylvester (2023) 6’3 wing, Brookfield High (CT), AAU Team: DTX - Sylvester puts in maximum effort on the defensive end, with great help and off-ball defense along with versatile on-ball ability from small guards to bigs. He has rebounding skill as well. On the offensive end, Sylvester creates shots for his teammates, with excellent court vision combined with a good handle. He scores on mid-range face-ups, post moves and beyond the arc. 4.1 gpa.
D’mair Williams (2023) 6’3 guard, Brooklyn Law and Tech, AAU Team: Castle Athletics - Williams is a long, rangy south paw, who can score on all three levels. He can also thrive in positionless basketball, able to play in all five roles. He reminds the Brooklyn Law and Tech coaches of a young Matt Scott. 3.0 gpa
2024’s
Riley Fox (2024) 6’4 wing, Conard High (CT) -As a freshman playing varsity, Fox averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1 steal, and 1.5 blocks. He was the only freshmen to make all conference in the CCC. He is a three level scorer. He’s a great three point shooter, has a REALLY good mid-range game, and at 6’4 can finish at the rim. On the other end of the court, he’s a really good defender, shot blocker, and rebounder. Per Coach Leghorn, Fox is so coachable, one of the best teammates in the program. He is the first in the gym and the last to leave.. 4.3 gpa
Matt Domenichelli (2024) 6’6 forward, Masuk High (CT), AAU Yeam: DTX Basketball - Domenichelli plays intimidating defense. He is a good screener who gets his teammates open. He is a strong rebounder. 3.0 gpa
Nyair Nesbit (2024) 6’1 guard, Brooklyn Law and Tech - Nesbit is a lefty who shoots well and attacks the basket. His coach describes him as “one of the sneaky under-the-radar kids. Once he adds strength, he is going to be dangerous”
Ka’ron Whitehead (2024) 6’0 wing, Brooklyn Law and Tech, AAU Team: Castle Athletics - Whitehead is strong. That shows up in both how he attacks the basket and rebounds. He has the potential to do big things.