Recruit The Bronx

2024 Smartball Championship Top Performers

On Tuesday, September 3, RecruitTheBronx.com paid a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Playground in Harlem for the finale of the Smartball Classic, a 32-team single-elimination tournament played throughout the month of August that featured many of the New York metropolitan area’s finest high school teams, as well as some of the best middle school programs from the Tri-state area.

In the middle school game, Team Shine, comprised of many of the best rising freshmen that will be playing in the CHSAA this fall, went up against the New York Rens, who compete in Nike’s Jr. EYBL league. Throughout the second half of this game, both teams played neck and neck, but Team Shine held on to win the title.

In the high school championship, The Bronx’s own Eagle Academy went up against Brooklyn’s Thomas Jefferson Campus in a big-time matchup that caught the eye of a packed crowd on a hot Tuesday evening in Harlem. Throughout all four quarters of the game, both teams gave each other the best they had. Unfortunately, with 4.1 seconds to go in the game with a free throw situation taking place, the lights were shut off by the New York City Parks & Recreation Department, ending the game prematurely, and leading to a postponement for another date.

Below are the standouts for the two games:

Souleymane Kone 6-1, Shooting Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Team Shine, Class of 2028 - A guard that has the ability to create for himself on the open floor. Finds ways to get to the basket and can easily get to the basket after breaking down an opponent off the dribble. Is able to distribute the ball to his teammates when they’re running on the break.

Hector Almodovar, Jr. 5-8, Point Guard, Cardinal Hayes High School, Team Shine, Class of 2028 - A guard that has the ability to see the floor and can distribute the ball to his teammates. Is able to stick with his man and play tough defense, which would lead to steals. Has the ability to shoot mid-range jumpers and can drive to the basket.

Akeem McLaren 6-1, Point Guard, Monsignor Scanlan High School, Team Shine, Class of 2028 - A guard that has the ability to see the floor and is a true floor general. Is able to attack in transition and can get to the basket with ease. Has a penchant for finding his teammates and putting them in position to score. Has a knack for making clutch baskets, especially when it comes to driving to the basket or hitting pull-up jumpers.

Michai White 6-1, Point Guard, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School (NJ), New York Rens, Class of 2028 - A guard that has the ability to use his strength and is fearless when it comes to obtaining contact. Is able to move off of a quick first step and is able to finish efficiently when going to the basket. Is able to distribute the ball to teammates on the break or when they’re open, which will provide them with chances to score.

William Brunson 6-2, Small Forward, Rutgers Preparatory School (NJ), New York Rens, Class of 2028 - A forward that has plenty of length and has plenty of strength when in the low post. Has good hands and has great footwork, which aids in him when it comes to being in the paint area, as he is prone to obtaining rebounds.

Malik Moore 6-4, Shooting Guard, Union Catholic High School (NJ), New York Rens, Class of 2028 - A guard that is a true playmaker and someone who is known for creating for himself on the offensive end. Has a nice shooting touch from three-point range and is also known for making pull-up jumpers. Is a guard that can absorb physical contact and is able to finish at the basket.

Malachi Wilson 5-8, Point Guard, Thomas Jefferson Campus, Class of 2025 - A guard that has plenty of quickness and is always alert when it comes to attacking in transition. Is able to get past the opposition and can distribute passes to his teammates to make sure that they’re able to score. Is a good finisher when going to the lane and can make jumpers from the corner.

Connor Sprattley 6-0, Point Guard, Thomas Jefferson Campus, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to score at will whenever he touches the ball. Is very fearless when it comest attacking the basket and is able to get past his opponents at all times. Is also able to shoot from long range and is also able to help his teammates gain opportunities to score.

Jah’da Swann 6-6, Small Forward, Thomas Jefferson Campus, Class of 2026 - A forward that has a lot of strength and good hands that aid him and his team on both ends of the court. Is able to block shots of the opposition whenever the opportunity presents itself on the defensive end. Has the ability to showcase his athleticism on the offensive end as well, as he is prone to throwing down powerful dunks at the rim.

Denim Trotman 5-10, Shooting Guard, Eagle Academy I, Class of 2026 - A guard that can take over the game for his team and is able to make his presence felt in many ways, due to his scoring. Is able to hit long jumpers from three-point range and can drive to the basket at all times, finishing strongly.

Amir Cummings 6-4, Shooting Guard, Eagle Academy I, Class of 2026 - An energetic guard that is fearless when going up to score. Is able to get to the basket by creating for himself off the dribble and is known for making plenty of hustle plays on the floor, including blocking shots & obtaining rebounds. Is able to shoot from three-point range, especially when left open.

Elijah King 6-3, Point Guard, Eagle Academy I, Class of 2027 - A guard that is known for his creativity and leadership skills that he presents when on the floor. Is able to find his teammates in various places on the floor, whether they’re open or streaking towards the basket. Is able to score in transition and has a penchant for shooting three-pointers from the corner. Is also known for his ability to play defense, forcing the opposition into turning the ball over.

CJ Dorrilliand 6-4, Forward, Eagle Academy I, Class of 2025 - A forward that has a lot of energy when he’s on the court and is the team’s key anchor on both ends of the floor when it comes to the post area. Is known for his ability to showcase his explosiveness when he goes to the rim. Has plenty of length, which aids in him getting blocks, making him one of his team’s best defenders.