2024 Rising Stars 17u Player Profiles
Rising Stars was founded by Paul Savramis in the early 1980’s as a series of summer camps but has since been on a 20-year journey of changing the lives of countless youths and their families. Today, Rising Stars is staffed with dozens of dedicated professionals and is considered of the elite, educationally-centered youth programs in the country. Additionally, The Rising Stars Athletic Complex located in Freeport, NY, opened in December 2024, bringing a new 16,000 sq/ft state-of-the-art facility features two regulation high school basketball courts, dedicated strength/fitness training rooms, and a community/academic space.
The 2024 season looks like another robust production for the Rising Stars. Veteran coach and Director Willis Perry is orchestrating a deep array of talented coaches and players. The Rising Star “Red” teams represent their A level teams for each grade.
17u Red Coached by Prentice Smalls and Jamaal Wilson
Carter Wilson (2025) 6’0 guard, Bay Shore High. A high talent offensive player. Capable of 20 points or more every night, including deep range shooting. He was one of Long Island assists leaders last winter. on the Island. His decision making has matured, now showing D1 level floor general ability.
Christian Smiley (2024) 6’6 forward, Bay Shore High - e. Smiley is an athletic and active player on both ends. Really good coming off the weak side blocking shots and is outstanding on the ball defender. Does most of his damage 17 feet and in but is a capable shooter from the perimeter. He can dunk it in traffic.
Brandon Margolin (2025) 6’5 small forward, Xaverian High - An easy to root for over-achiever. Plays bigger than his body size due to his relentless energy and instincts for the game. Stat sheet stuffer and a game winner impact player in every aspect of the game.
Javelle Epps (2025) 6’5 guard, Putnam Science Academy (CT) - Epps is a gifted athlete that plays as a smooth, controlled, play maker, with knockdown perimeter shooting. He has a soft and creative touch on finishes and a high release point jumper, which makes him a matchup problem . Spends his school year honing his skills against the nation’s highest level prep talent at PSA. 3.1 gpa
Dylan Kopp (2025) 6’2 guard, Stony Brook School - Wow-level twitchy. Explosive off of the ground. Nasty change of direction/ankle breaker. Hard to stay in front of…will embarrass a Big on the PnR. One summer’s worth of heavy long ball shooting reps away from being a D1 level star. 3.2 gpa
Ryan Hempfling (2025) 6’9 small forward, Blair Academy (NJ) - An NFL LT body that makes OG hoops coaches purr. Very smart/knows his teammates jobs as well as they do, and communicates to make them better. Does not cede ground in the paint. Sets a massive screen. Scores over the right shoulder, to set up his next move …over the left. CEO-in-training court presence. 3.7 gpa
Jayden Miller (2025) 6’3 guard, St John the Baptist - Athlete! - Miller uses his length and fast-twitch gifts to be the toughest guard defender on the floor.
Jawuan Smith (2025) 6’5 small forward, William Floyd High - High level shooter, literally and figuratively. Long range splashing with a sweet-looking and with-elevation jump shot. But he is also aggressive and slippery in getting to the rim. D1 length and athleticism. 3.2 gpa
Jermaine King (2025) 5’7 point guard, William Floyd High - A quick guard. He can handle the ball and knock down threes. As a defender, he uses his quickness and energy to create pressure on the opponent.
Stanyslas Dhondt (2025) 6’7 forward, Xaverian High - Dhondt is an ELITE shooter. Then as he draws aggressive close-outs to contest his shot, he is more than capable taking them off the bounce. He competes defensively and rebounds well.
Brandon Manirakiza (2025) 6’0 guard, Lee Academy (ME) - Manirakiza is both a good shooter and a good play maker. On defense, he picks up and contests tenaciously for 94 feet
Chase Timberlake (2025) 6’1 guard, Baldwin High - Timberlake is All-New York State, First Team All-Long Island, and All Section 8 honoree from the winter season. He is a scorer who can get a basket off the dribble or running off of screens. He is also a shooter. Once the defense, starts to overcommit in stopping him, he makes the reads and finds his teammates.
Kingsley Rogers (2027) 6’2 point guard, Bay Shore High - A smooth and controlled floor general who is getting big time tutelage by playing for former UCONN star, AJ Price. His height aids his ability to see the floor… and destroy trap attempts. His length also creates a problem in help and on-ball defense. The weight room and deep range shooting reps will determine his ability to realize his potential.