2024 City Rocks EYBL 17u Player Profiles
In 1993 Jim Hart along with four other area coaches started the City Rocks program. Now entering their 20th season, City Rocks field over 20 teams made up from over 200 boys and girls from Upstate New York and beyond. They have achieved National acclaim and are widely considered a Top 20 AAU program in the USA. They have placed hundreds of athletes into athletic scholarships, and have six that played in the NBA.
Jim Hart has served on the Advisory Board of Nike Grassroots Basketball. Jim also serves on the Advisory Board of iHoops a collaboration of the NCAA and NBA whose mission is to establish a structure and develop programs to improve the quality of youth basketball in America in order to enhance the athletic, educational, and social experience of the participants.
The 2024 City Rocks EYBL 17u players are as follows:
Keyshuan Tillery (2025) 6’1 guard, New Hampton School (NH) - #144 ranked player in the nation by 24/7 Sports. #7 ranked player in New England by Prep Hoops. Tillery’s ability to make plays for others makes him a coveted recruit. He is a pass-first, drive and kick, screen-roll and kick playmaker, but can score it is called for. He has a high motor and will-to-win that shows up in his defense and hard hustling style. All NEPSAC AAA as a junior. All NEBL First Team as a junior. Has received multiple d1 offers, including Washington, Georgia Tech and Northwestern. 3.5 gpa Vi
Mason Blackwood (2025) 6’7 small forward, New Hampton School (NH) - #9 ranked player in New England by Prep Hoops. At 6’6’, Blackwood has great size as a wing. He has the ability to slash to the basket and use his athleticism to get above the defense around the rim. He also can hit shots from beyond the arc and mid-range, using his rise to hit contested jumpers. Blackwood is also extremely tough to stop in transition, with high level speed and the ability to dribble and finish in traffic. All NEPSAC as a junior. All NEBL as a junior. He has been offered by multiple D1 schools, including Georgia Washington, Bryant and Marquette
Jacob Davis (2025) 6’8 forward, Cushing Academy (MA) - Davis is a load! He sets teeth-rattling screens, and clears a wide berth in the rebounding wars. He is active and smart, and has surprisingly soft hands in his ball control He has received a D1 offer from North Carolina A&T.
Charlie O’Sullivan (2025) 6’10 forward, Loomis Chaffee School (CT) - O’Sullivan is a lights out shooter with range. He has a very good handle. The lefty has a great face up game as well. Has received interest from Virginia and Pitt. 4.2 gpa
Gavin Doty (2025) 6’5 guard, Fulton High - One of the most talented guards in his class. #15 ranked player in New York by Prep Hoops. With tremendous size for the guard position, Doty has above-average playmaking ability. He is smooth with the ball and makes the correct decision the majority of the time. Doty averaged 29 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals and 1 blocks per game this past season. Holds multiple D1 offers, including Buffalo, Bryant, Northern Kentucky, NJIT and Coastal Carolina. 3.9 gpa
Tahlan Pettway (2025) 6’1 guard, MacDuffie School (MA) - 2022-23 MaxPreps Massachusetts High School Basketball Player of the Year. Pettway is a highly skilled and speedy guard. His ability to heat up from the outside in a hurry adds a dynamic scoring element to his game. What sets Pettway apart is his high-level breakdown skills, allowing him to navigate through defenses with precision and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Badara Diakite (2025) 6’9 forward , South Kent School (CT) - #93 ranked player in the nation by 24/7 Sports. #3 ranked player in New England by Prep Hoops. Diakite is an incredibly unique prospect with a combination of size, length, and fluidity you rarely see from a wing at this age. His feel is advanced, as seen in his playing on and off the ball, subtle passing manipulation and timely cutting. He also leverages his good shooting to get downhill and has impressive footwork and tight space navigation as a slasher. His motor and length together were game-changing on the defensive end as well, as he crowds ball handlers, makes plays in the passing lanes, and bothers shots at the rim.
Isaiah Henderson (2025) 6’5 small forward, Kimball Union Academy (NH) - Henderson has already established a college-ready build while displaying a sublime scoring arsenal and proficiency as a shot-maker. Henderson has developed a high-arching release, and is able to spread out defenders with his range. He can also muscle his way into the paint and score. He also utilizes his long reach to levitate above the rim and finish. One of the more compelling aspects of Henderson’s game is his ability to create his own shot without requiring a lot of dribbles.
Imahri Wooten (2026) 6’5 small forward, Putnam Science Academy (CT) - As a long and athletic guard, he brings versatility to the court, excelling both on the inside and outside. With his exceptional athleticism, Wooten delivers powerful poster dunks, often brought on by his ability to get out in transition.
Liam Dagostino (2025) 6’4 small forward Canterbury School (CT) - Dagostino knocks down open 3’s on catch-n-shoots. He plays his defensive rotations well, and steals the ball both from dribblers and in passing lanes. 2023-24 Western Prep Honorable Mention.
Andreo Ash (2025) 6’8 forward, Canterbury School (CT) - Ash earned standout honors at the Scholar Roundball Classic after dropping 26 points with 6 boards in the win over Suffield. Ash can get it going in a hurry offensively and uses his body well on the glass. Voted MVP of the Western New England Preps as a junior. All NEPSAC as a junior. He has received offers from Stony Brook, Seton Hall and Bryant.
Parrish Edmond Jr (2025) 6’5 small forward, Notre Dame-Fairfield (CT) - Edmond has next level leaping ability and athleticism. Attacks the rim with reckless abandon, with excellent slashing ability and a very good, quick pull up jump shot. Very good offensive rebounder. A long and active defender with great timing/shot blocking ability. Improving guard skills, including ball handling, slashing and 3 point shooting. Extremely high ceiling. Under exposed while playing in high school, Edmond has attracted a D1 offer from his home town’s Sacred Heart University. 2023-24 All State CIAC Second Team.