2024 PVO Elite 17u Player Profiles
PVO Elite basketball program is an affiliation of the Positive Vibes Community Group. PVO strives to help high school athletes achieve their dreams of playing college basketball. The 2024 17u team is coached by Jerome Austin and his assistant coach, Benny Mermelstein. The PVO Elite 17u basketball team features some outstanding players, see the notes on them below:
Sasha Mermelstein (2026) 5’11 point guard, Kent School (CT) - Mermelstein is an elite floor general, who has uncanny basketball IQ and passing ability. He also is an elite shooter and has crafty finishing ability. Ivy League and Patriot League schools should be paying attention. 3.4 gpa
Scotty Lee (2024) 6’5 ard, Boys and Girls High - Lee is a do it all guard. He is an elite shooter from everywhere on the court. He has the ability to play either guard positions at a high level. If you need a basket you simply put the ball in his hands. Lee is a low to mid major prospect with major upside.
Jerome Whyte (2025) 6’4 small forward, Believe Prep (SC) - Whyte is a premier athlete who plays the game above the rim. He is also an elite defender. His mid-range game is developing nicely as well as his of the ball movement. He is a D2 and JUCO prospect who has low major upside.
Angelo Guzman (2024) 6’0 guard, South Shore High - Guzman is PVO’s engine. He plays extremely hard on both ends of the floor. He is an elite two sport athlete who shows off his unworldly athleticism on the court as well as the gridiron. He is relentless when attacking the rim. He also is a consistent shooter both of the dribble and spot up. Low majors should be paying attention.
Erik Graves (2026) 6’3 guard, Monsignor Scanlan High - Graves is a player any college program would dream of. He plays extremely hard on both sides of the ball. He is extremely teachable and coachable. Every game he is given the hardest defensive assignment and shuts his opponent down easily. He also is an elite slasher and rebounder. Division 2 programs should be paying attention.
Lorenzo Spence (2026) 6’10 forward, South Shore High - Spence is currently dealing with some injuries but is looking to make is PVO debut at Made Hoops Live in Virginia. He is an elite rebounder and shot blocker. He is still raw offensively, but when he puts it all together he will be a scary prospect going forward.
Tyler Thomas (2025) 6’7 forward, South Shore High - Thomas is a big body who does most of his work around the basket. He is hard to stop around the rim and also has a very polished midrange game. He also excels in pick and roll scenarios with the ability to pop out to the three point line.
Chris Etienne (2025) 6’3 guard, South Shore High - Etienne is another two sport athlete with a college-ready build. He is an elite slasher who plays very hard. He also excels on the defensive side of the ball garnering multiple steals per game.