Manhattan’s Super Sixty Four: #64-#57
Manhattan is often viewed as the capital of the world. It is seen as the headquarters of the United Nations and a business empire. However, for all the international fame that Manhattan receives, that hasn’t translated well onto…
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Continue ReadingManhattan is often viewed as the capital of the world. It is seen as the headquarters of the United Nations and a business empire. However, for all the international fame that Manhattan receives, that hasn’t translated well onto the basketball court, and it is time to change that. This is the first installment of Manhattan’s Super Sixty Four, a series comprehensively detailing the top 64 players in Manhattan, from the top players in JV to prospects already receiving DI interest.
64. Jonathan Robinson | Sophomore | Graphics Campus (JV)
Jonathan Robinson has done what he had to do for Graphic Campus’s junior varsity squad. The team needed a leader and a scorer, and Robinson provided them just that. Robinson has been active on defense, demonstrating he can guard all positions from quick guards to strong centers. He’s able to get up and get contested balls, but once they’re in his hands, he speeds right to the rim on a fastbreak. Robinson can also confuse defenders by shooting off his dribble, including an expanded three-point range.
63. Luigi Avenia | Sophomore | Martin Luther King (JV)
Luigi Avenia has stepped up as the focal point of Martin Luther King’s offense. Avenia is able to pressure guards on defense and force them to make mistakes on their dribble with a body-on-ball philosophy, and he can step in front of bad passes. His speed and handles allow him to take the ball to the rim, even when the defense is at a standstill, and his penetration allows him to make ball plays for his teammates. His offense also features a pretty reliable shot.
62. Mfouapon Jamal | Freshman | George Washington (JV)
While Jamal is young, only being a freshman, he is still able to be one of Manhattan’s premier JV big men, which should translate well to varsity once his coaches decide he is ready to make the jump. Jamal has been a paint blocker on defense, picking up forwards who try to post up and denying guards from even attempting to drive in to the basket. Jamal can grab rebounds on both offense and defense, and provides the offense a big boost with his second chance points.
61. Derick Santos | Freshamn | Louis Brandeis (JV)
In only his freshman year, Derick Santos has already become a high school typical guard. Santos is able to drive to the rim and dazzle defenders while he consistently puts up points both through his penetration. Santos also uses an above-average jump shot and has shown he is capable of shooting from both mid-range and three-point range. Santos can also run the offense and act as a facilitator, while he can switch to a less ball-dominant role.
60. Evan Mckiernan | Sophomore | Baruch College (JV)
With the rapid exodus year after year on junior varsity teams, it is often hard to see one guy find his role and settle into it so well. Evan Mckiernan has done just that. Mckiernan has emerged as the focal point for Baruch College Campus High Schol. Evan has been shooting at an impeccable clip, both off the dribble and off the ball. Mckiernan has also been active on defense, showing that he can switch on and off and has high defensive awareness.
59. Andrew D’Alessio | Junior | Xavier (Varsity)
Andrew D’Alessio has been the prototypical guard for Xavier this season, and it’s his play that has allowed his whole team to flourish. D’Alessio has been running the offense well, reading the floor and executing the right passes. D’Alessio can also drive to the hoop on his own accord as well as take a back seat and function as a shooter who can shoot spot up. D’Alessio can also guard guards on defense, allowing his team to have a good frontcourt defense.
58. Mychal Wright II | Sophomore | Manhattan Center for Science and Math (JV)
This season for the Manhattan Center squad, Mychal Wright has demonstrated is ability as a guard. He is able to preform well on defense, and once he gets the ball from a turnover or a missed shot, he is able to quickly switch gears and turn into offense-transition mode, with him leading a speedy charge to the rim. Wright has also demonstrated his incredible shooting, whether it be on or off-ball.
57. Princeton Wheeler | Junior | Harlem Village (Varsity)
Princeton Wheeler has demonstrated his skill as a 3 and D player throughout the season for Harlem Village Varsity. Wheeler is able to guard all positions on defense, using his speed to be able to guard faster guards and his lower body strength to guard larger forwards. Wheeler can also put up points consistently on offense, whether that be from the interior, to the corner, knocking down shot after shot while spacing the floor.