10 Central League Rising Juniors (Class of 2022) to Watch This Season
1. Daniel Katz (6’5”) (Forward) ( (Harriton High School) – Daniel Katz is a versatile forward that is able to play both inside and outside the perimeter. His ability to step out and make threes forces defenders to play him…
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Continue Reading1. Daniel Katz (6’5”) (Forward) ( (Harriton High School)
– Daniel Katz is a versatile forward that is able to play both inside and outside the perimeter. His ability to step out and make threes forces defenders to play him on the perimeter. Kat’s ability to shoot the basketball at 6’5” can create problems for opposing defenses as defenders are unable to crowd the paint or fully commit to playing help side. Katz is also a good athlete who uses his length well to play the passing lanes. Katz is active and can make it difficult for opposing guards to throw the ball over him. He has a high motor and runs the lanes well in transition.
2. Demetrius Lilley Demetrius Lilley 6'8" | PF Lower Merion | 2022 State PA (6’10”) (Center) (Lower Merion High School)
– Demetrius Lilley Demetrius Lilley 6'8" | PF Lower Merion | 2022 State PA is an imposing force down on the block. He uses his size and strength well to move defenders out of his way. Lilley draws a lot of attention from opponents forcing opposing weak side defenders to give backside help in the post. He has a powerful drop step and a soft touch around the rim. Lilley can heavily impact a game by rebounding the ball on both ends of the floor. He uses his strength and frame to overpower boxouts from opponents. Defensively, he has solid footwork and a keen sense of help side defense.
3. Saahir Lee Saahir Lee 5'11" | PG Penncrest | 2022 State PA (5’11”) (Guard) (Penncrest High School)
– Saahir Lee Saahir Lee 5'11" | PG Penncrest | 2022 State PA is a smooth lefty guard that can score the basketball. He has a variety of different finishes that he uses around the basket. Lee has good quickness and speed which he uses to get into the paint on drives. He changes speeds well in the open floor and effectively uses the hesitation dribble to get by his defender.
4. Ryan Mackey (6’1”) (Guard) (Conestoga High School)
-Ryan Mackey is a solid run the show point guard. He handles ball pressure well and has the poise and control to run the offense. Mackey uses his guide arm well to protect the basketball. He is a good shooter from the perimeter and can knock down contested threes. Mackey has a good understanding of floor spacing and knows when and where to relocate around the perimeter.
5. Eric McKee (6’0”) (Guard) (Marple Newtown High School)
– Eric McKee is a versatile scorer that can shoot off of the catch and off the dribble. He uses his size well to finish through contact. McKee utilizes various types of layup finishes to score on his drives. His ability to jump off either foot and use ether hand around the rim enables him to finish at the basket and avoid additional defenders. McKee has a good handle and great court awareness that allows him to find open teammates. Defensively, his athleticism enables him to jump off the ground quickly to block and alter shots.
6. Jaylen Shippen (6’0”) (Guard) (Lower Merion High School)
– Jaylen Shippen is a playmaker that can run the show and create for others. He is a phenomenal passer with a high basketball IQ. He plays fast but in control. Shippen has a great handle that allows him to keep his eyes up to see the entire floor. He can push the pace offensively and make plays in transition. Shippen draws defenders opening up drop offs for post players and kickout passes to the wings. He effectively uses ball fakes to shift defenses. Defensively, Shippen can apply pressure to opposing guards and disrupt offenses by harassing the opposing point guard.
7. Matt Shuler (5’9”) (Guard) (Strath Haven High School)
– Shuler is an athletic and physical guard that is a solid defender. He shows a strong desire and high motor to shut down his man on the defensive end. Shuler has the strength to wall up against defenders and the lateral quickness to keep scorers in front of him. Offensively, he can knock down the three and use his quickness to get into the lane. Shuler is a playmaker with a high basketball IQ. He has good floor awareness and know where his teammates are for kickouts and drop off passes.
8. Michael Walz (6’8”) (Center) (Conestoga High School)
-Michael Walz is a physical center who can get up the floor. He does a nice job of sealing his defender and creating a target to receive the ball in the post. Walz is good passer out of the post. He recognizes where the help side defenders are doubling from on the floor. Walz has the vision to find the open man when opponents double the post. He rebounds the basketball well on both ends of the floor and uses his length to take up space in the lane.
9. Joshua Wyche (6’5”) (Guard) (Harriton High School)
– Joshua Wyche is a solid run the show point guard that can create offense for himself and others. He can make shots beyond the arc and is a good shooter off of the catch. At 6’5” he has great size for a point guard. His ability to handle the basketball and see the floor allows him to effectively run the offense. Wyche uses his length well on the defensive end of the floor to apply ball pressure and deflect passes. He has an advanced understanding of defensive principles. Wyche rotates well in help side and can protect the rim. Although he is a guard, he has the ability to block shots and protect the rim. His size and athleticism make him a tough matchup on the glass for guards. Even at 6’5” he plays bigger than his actual height.
10. Ben Stanton (6’1”) (Guard) (Penncrest High School)
– Ben Stanton is a guard that can really shoot the basketball. The guard plays fundamentally and is a good decision maker with the basketball. Stanton can assist with bringing the ball up the floor as well. He has very deep range and is confident shooting the ball way beyond the high school three point line. Stanton is capable of setting his feet quickly and shooting in transition. His ability to shoot the basketball can open up the floor for his teammates. Defensively, Stanton has a great understanding of team defense and is notorious for taking charges.