2024 Hoop Group Long Island Warmup Top Performers

By David Cordova,

 

On Saturday, April 6, we paid a visit to the Island Garden facility in West Hempstead, Long Island for the Hoop Group Long Island Warmup, which was a showcase that marked the start of the AAU season for many of the teams. Many of the teams were from the Tri-state area and showed plenty of promise on the court that will bode well for when they play on their respective circuits. Here are the standouts from this past weekend’s games.

Jakai Sanders 6-3, Point Guard, Eagle Academy II, New York Lightning HGSL 17U, Class of 2024 (Siena College commit) - A guard that has plenty of finesse in his game and is able to make his presence felt on the court. Is able to drive to the basket and create for himself when it comes to scoring. Has excellent court vision and is able to distribute the ball to his teammate.

Jordan Gabriel 6-8, Forward, Archbishop Stepinac High School (Post Grad program TBD), Crown 17U, Class of 2025 - A forward that has the opportunity to hold his own on the floor. Is a player that has plenty of length and uses his physicality to his advantage, as he is able to muscle his way to the basket. Is able to obtain rebounds at a great pace.

 

Ryan Moesch 6-0, Point Guard, Cushing Academy (MA), Crown 17U, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to take over the game with his skills. Is a player that can shoot at a high volume and is very fearless when trying to drive to the basket. Has a penchant for distributing the ball to his teammates when the opportunity presents itself.

Myles Blackley, 6-5, Forward, Immaculate Conception High School (NJ), NJ Beasts HGSL 17U, Class of 2025 - A guard that is very shifty when he has the ball in his hands and is able to score in bunches. Has plenty of size and is able to outwork smaller players. Has a penchant for knocking down three-pointers from the corner.

Brandon Russell, 6-5, Forward, Archbishop Ryan High School (PA), NJ Beasts HGSL 17U, Class of 2025 - A forward that has the ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor. Is able to muscle his way to the basket, as he is able to drive and draw fouls. Is also a force on the low block and can obtain rebounds and run down court afterwards on a fast break.

Robert Phelps, Jr. 6-5, Shooting Guard, Bedford Academy, Eddie Lau Elite 16U, Class of 2025 - A guard that has a solid all-around game on the court. Has the ability to drive to the basket and is a good finisher. Is able to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line. Is able to move around off the ball and is able to anticipate passes before it gets to him.

Darren McFarlane 6-6, Forward, Monsignor Scanlan High School, Wiz Kids 17U, Class of 2024 - A forward that is a dominant presence in the low post, as he is able to use his physicality to hold his own. Is able to showcase his athleticism by throwing down powerful dunks. Is able to attack in the post area by finishing in the lane when going for layups.

Oesoemana Sacko 6-8, Forward, St. Francis Preparatory High School, Team Crate 16U, Class of 2026 - A forward that is very mobile and has plenty of versatility on the floor. Has a penchant for muscling and outworking the opposition when in the paint. Is able to put the ball on the floor and find ways to score, whether it is shooting from the perimeter and driving to the basket.

Caleb Ourigou 6-9, Forward, Lawrence Woodmere Academy, Team Crate 16U, Class of 2026 - A forward that is a dominant presence and is a force on the court. Has a penchant for making great plays on the defensive end and can flash to the glass to absorb rebounds. Is able to make his presence felt in the low post and can throw down powerful dunks, finishing in the lane powerfully.

Troy Fason Jr. 5-11, Point Guard, St. Francis Preparatory High School, Team Crate 16U, Class of 2026 - A guard that has plenty of finesse in his game and is a true floor general, as he knows what to do on the floor. Is able to find his teammates if they’re open or streaking towards the basket. Has the ability to get to the basket and is a good finisher.

Jermaine King, Jr. 5-7, Point Guard, William Floyd High School, Rising Stars 17U, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to be a true playmaker on the floor in various ways. Has the ability to make shots from long range and is also great at dishing passes to his teammate and puts them in position to score. Has the ability to be a finisher when driving to the basket.

Alex Mazzella, 5-10, Point Guard, St. Joseph Regional High School (NJ), NJ Beasts HGSL 16U, Class of 2027 - A guard that has the ability to make his presence felt as a leader and a true floor general on the court. Has great court awareness, as he is able to distribute the ball to his teammates, who are usually going towards the basket or are trying to be open. Likes to flash to the basket and is a good finisher at the basket.

Antoine “Butta” Williams 6-0, Shooting Guard, Putnam Science Academy (CT), New Haven Heat 17U, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to make great plays on the floor and allows his game to flow in his team’s offense. Has great court awareness and looks to see where his teammates are on the floor to see where his teammates are on the floor. Likes to shoot from long range and can be a great finisher when he is going to the basket.

Aidan Carter, 6-3, Point Guard, St. Thomas Aquinas High School (NJ), New Jersey Roadrunners 17U, Class of 2027 - A guard that is a jack of all trades on the court and makes his presence felt on the court. Is a good rebounder and likes to get on the fast break after. Is able to make his shots from the perimeter and can drive to the basket and finishes in the lane.