2024 New Heights 16u EYBL Player Profiles
New Heights is a sports-based youth development organization that creates opportunities for youth to rise to their potential on the basketball court, in the classroom and in their communities. Their mission is to educate and empower promising underserved youth to be leaders, champions and student-athletes by developing the skills necessary for success in high school, college and life.
The coaches and educators are positive role models who guide youth through adolescence and into young adulthood, and motivate them to develop the social, behavioral, academic and athletic assets necessary for maintaining physical and mental health throughout their lives.
The 2024 16u EYBL team is coached by Rahme Anderson, who is also the New Heights Director of Boys Basketball.
The players’ profiles are as below. (Clicking on the player’s name pulls up their profile)
Deron Rippey Jr. (2026) 6’2 point guard, Blair Academy (NJ) - 5 star recruit. 2024 USA Basketball Mini Camp MVP. Ranked in the nation’s Top 40 by 24/7 Sports. A very quick and agile lead guard seemingly gets into the lane at will and is creates for his teammates. His jump shot has shown great improvement. Holds multiple D1 offers, including Villanova, Illinois and Rutgers.
Jermel “Mel Mel” Thomas (2026) 6’3 point guard, Cardinal Hayes High - Competes with Rippey as being the best point guard in NYC. Impressive ball-handling skills, great court vision, and consistently finds open teammates. One the hardest players to guard in the the CHSAA this past winter. Observers think that he shows flashes of Sebastian Telfair. Holds multiple D1 offers, including Villanova, St Johns and Eastern Michigan.
Kole Grandison (2026) 6’5 small forward, Immaculate Conception (NJ) - Grandison is a very good athlete and a big time shooter. He also can defend multiple positions.
Eric Hillsman (2026) 6’7 small forward, Roselle Catholic (NJ) - Hillsman is a lengthy, super athlete who looks to dunk everything. Has the potential to be a national top 50 recruit. His ability to slash to the basket is elite, constantly putting pressure on the defense. His outside shooting is good enough to complement his abilty to attack the rim.
Oesoemana Sacko (2026) 6’8 forward, St. Francis Prep - Sacko is a skilled big. He’s got a strong frame and good length which enables him bang effectively in the paint. He is also a problem to keep off of the offensive boards, and scoring on put backs. He will create mismatches at the next level because he can also work from the perimeter with a consistent catch-n-shoot 3 ball. He has been working on his perimeter defense, to enhance his ability to switch on screens.
Jahda Swann (2026) 6’4 wing, Thomas Jefferson High - Swann had a great sophomore season at Thomas Jefferson. High Major Potential. A great blasher, but also a capable shooter. One of the best defenders in the City. A big guard who plays much bigger thanks to his wingspan and athleticism.
Davonne “DJ” Biggins Jr. (2026) 6’2 Kingswood-Oxford School (CT) - 2023-24 All NEPSAC and All Founders League as a sophomore. A tremendous floor a general. The crafty lefty guard has great athleticism and uses that to get to the rim, block shots, finish in transition, and pick up full court.
Alonzo Archbold (2026) 6’7 small forward, Curtis High - Archbold is a lengthy wing player, who has a lethal combination of athleticism and skill. His ability to finish around the basket helped him lead Staten Island in scoring as a sophomore.
Caleb Ourigou (2026) 6’10 forward, Lawrence Woodmere Academy - Ourigou is a very good athlete with a 7’0 wingspan. He is trending toward becoming a High Major big. He already holds an offer from St John’s. He is big, agile and very strong. He can score in the paint, including an unguardable hook shot. Defensively, he is a great presence on the interior. He blocks and intimidates shots near the rim, and he sucks in rebounds from a wide area. His offensive game is improving rapidly. He is only turning 16 in 2024.
Jackson Southerland (2026) 6’2 South Kent School (CT) - Southerland is a very good athlete, with a knack for scoring the basketball in close and from three point range. He is good with the ball and in seeing the floor on offense. He has active hands and defensive tenacity.