2025 Hoops Showdown Standouts

By David Cordova,

On Saturday afternoon, June 7, we were at the Bronx River Community Center in the Soundview section of The Bronx for the ninth annual Hoops Showdown. In the event, four teams from the boroughs of New York City and one from New Jersey played in a single-elimination tournament for a championship. Below are the standouts from those games:

Josiah Davis 6-5, Forward, DeWitt Clinton Educational Campus, The Nation, Class of 2026 - A forward that has the ability to make his presence felt on both ends of the floor. Has a penchant for crashing the boards in order to obtain rebounds. Is able to put the ball on the floor and can get to the basket with ease and has plenty of athleticism.

Kamari Whyte 6-3, Shooting Guard, Vermont Academy (VT), The Nation, Class of 2027 - A guard that has the ability to showcase his scoring ability in various ways, as he is able to create for himself on the offensive end. Has a penchant for using his strength when going to the basket and finds a way to draw fouls. Is known for hitting mid-range jumpers.

Jermel Thomas 6-3, Point Guard, Our Saviour Lutheran High School, The Nation, Class of 2026 - A guard that has the ability to be a great playmaker when on the floor. Is able to take on his counterpart and will find a way to get past the defender and get to the basket. Has the ability to get his shot off efficiently when on the three-point line and also from midrange.

NaJay Bess 6-4, Shooting Guard, St. Raymond High School, Rundown, Class of 2026 - A guard that has the ability to be a playmaker when on the court. Is able to get to the basket with ease and can attack in transition. Has the ability to get his shot off efficiently, especially when it is a midrange jumper. Has a great defensive presence, as he is prone to obtain steals.

Peyton Miller, 6-1, Shooting Guard, Western Reserve Academy (OH), Rundown, Class of 2026 - A guard that has the ability to make his presence felt when he has the ball in his hands. Is able to get past the opposition off of a quick first step. Has a penchant for hitting long range jumpers.

Kaelen Destin 6-1, Shooting Guard, Our Saviour Lutheran High School, Rundown, Class of 2026 - A guard that has the ability to make big plays when on the court. Uses his quickness when speeding down court and going to the basket. Has a penchant for finishing strong at the basket and also hitting jumpers from long range. Is also a solid defensive player, as he is prone to obtaining steals.

Connor Sprattley 6-0, Point Guard, Thomas Jefferson Educational Campus, Road to Riches, Class of 2025 - A guard that has the ability to dominate on the offensive end. Is a player that can attack in transition every time he steps on the court. Is able to put his teammates in position to score when the opportunity presents itself. A player that loves to run on the fast break.

Moussa Kamissoko 6-8, Forward, Long Island Lutheran High School, Road to Riches, Class of 2027 - A forward that has the ability to play the three position very well and is prone to getting to the basket easily. Is a solid rebounder and has good hands that aid in him obtaining rebounds and blocking shots. Is able to drive in transition and is able to showcase his athleticism when going to rim.

Jaden Brown, 6-3, Point Guard, Bergen Catholic High School (NJ), Northeast Basketball Club, Class of 2026 - A shifty guard that is known for his playmaking ability on the offensive end of the court. Is a great facilitator that knows when to distribute the ball to his teammates and put them in position to score. Is able to hit jumpers from long range, especially when he is left open.

Amadou Fall 6-9, Forward, Milbrook School, Northeast Basketball Club, Class of 2025 - (Lincoln University commit) A forward that has a great presence on both ends of the floor. Has plenty of length and size and is great at crashing the boards for rebounds. Is able to dominate on the defensive end, as he is known for blocking shots. Is a great finisher on the offensive end, as he is known to throw down powerful dunks and also hook shots.

Tristan Burth 6-9, Forward, Bridgeport Prep School, Northeast Basketball Club, Class of 2025 - A forward that is a powerful presence in the post on both ends of the court. Is known for muscling his way to the basket by using his footwork and his physicality. Is also able to attack the glass for rebounds. Is a solid finisher when going to the basket.