Five 2022 Western PA Prospects who were set to Explode this AAU Season
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, AAU/Grasroots Travel Basketball has been cancelled through the month of July and has significantly altered the college basketball recruiting landscape. With no physical, on-court action this summer, we are left to imagine how this travel…
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Continue ReadingDue to the Covid-19 Pandemic, AAU/Grasroots Travel Basketball has been cancelled through the month of July and has significantly altered the college basketball recruiting landscape. With no physical, on-court action this summer, we are left to imagine how this travel season would have played out. In part two of this segment, we take a look at five 2022 Western Pennsylvania prospects who were poised for breakout summers.
Devin Carney Devin Carney 6'1" | CG Butler | 2022 State PA | 6’1 G Butler
Without a doubt, this rising junior guard is the most potent and effortless scorer in the area. Carney has true three-level scoring ability, and can rattle off points in bunches. Playing alongside Purdue signee Ethan Morton in the backcourt this past season, Carney operated away from the ball, working off screens and making shots in the half-court. He shoots the ball very well from deep, moving off the catch or the bounce. Using textbook shot-fakes and footwork, Carney is able to keep defenders off balance when they close out to him on the perimeter. His bread and butter may be his midrange game, stopping on a dime and elevating with a smooth, soft, and repeatable release. This upcoming season he will slide into a primary ball-handling role, covering the scoring and facilitating load left behind by Morton. He already holds a scholarship offer from St. Francis (PA), and if he continues to improve defensively, he will be highly coveted by mid-majors due to his advanced ball skills and scoring ability.
Mason Manning Mason Manning 6'3" | SG First Love Christian Academy | 2022 State #188 Nation PA | 6’1 G First Love Christian Academy
The Mississippi native had a breakout season for the Knights of FLCA. A combination guard that can toggle on the ball or off, Manning played more of the latter this year as Richmond-signee Isaiah Wilson operated mostly at the point. Showing high-level ball skills and a deceptively quick first-step, Manning keeps defenders guessing with an ability to knock shots down all over the floor and get into the lane when defenders chase him off the 3-point line. His handle is crisp and tight, enabling him to get to his spots and make proper decisions. Much like Carney, the ball is expected to be in Manning’s hands a lot more this upcoming season. Already holding offers from the likes of Baylor, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and other others, expect Manning’s recruitment to expand in the upcoming months.
Chris Moncrief | 6’5 W Kiski Prep
There isn’t a more intriguing 2022 prospect in Western PA than Moncrief. The long, smooth wing-guard continues to grow and develop, showing progression in a number of areas over this past year. Already possessing the ability to slash, rebound, and defend multiple positions, Moncrief has grown leaps and bounds in other areas of his game. His shot-mechanics have always been solid, but he has improved his consistency and confidence through evident work and repetition. He is unselfish and can create plays for others off the bounce, sees the floor well and executes passes. He must continue to get physically stronger, but being that he is young for his grade, that should come with time. Robert Morris and Bryant recently offered scholarships, and there’s no doubt he would have picked up more during the spring and summer AAU Live Periods.
Marquell Darnell | 6’7 F Erie High
The 6’7 2-sport athlete showed flashes of excellence this past high school basketball season. Darnell averaged 8.4 points and 8 rebounds a game in 6A, Pennsylvania’s largest scholastic classification. He’s an energetic and explosive athlete who thrives in transition, separating himself from the pack and attacking the rim with reckless abandon. In the half court, Darnell’s improved dexterity and coordination were on display allowing him to convert shots that he couldn’t in previous years— he has made adjustments to his low-post game and midrange jump-shot, but there is still a ton of upside and room for improvement. He rebounds the ball, targeting shots off the rim and tracking them down outside of his area. Defensively, versatility is the name of his game; he can effectively guard the 3-5 positions, moving his feet laterally on the perimeter and contesting shots with his excessive length. Off the ball, he disrupts passing lanes and hunts down shots at the rim, displaying good timing and quick-jumping ability. He already holds a few Power-5 football offers, so he may be destined to put the cleats on in college, but there should be no shortage of suitors for his basketball services.
Eli Yofan Eli Yofan 6'3" | CG Fox Chapel | 2022 State PA | 6’2 G Fox Chapel
The Fox Chapel boys basketball team had a remarkable season finishing 21-2 overall and a perfect section record of 10-0. Much of their success can be attributed to Yofan, a promising young combo guard. He led the team in scoring at 15.6 points per game, adding 5 rebounds and 3 assists. The southpaw guard has a unique ability to penetrate the defense off the bounce, slithering and meandering his way to the rim and finishing creatively through contact. When his feet are set, he knocks shots down from the perimeter, showing good range and mechanics, but his release could stand to get a bit quicker. While what he does on the offensive end is impressive, it may be his defensive prowess that sets him apart from many of his peers. Yofan sits in a stance, moves his feet laterally, and defends with his chest. He is alert off the ball, plays angles, reads passing lanes, and takes advantage of sloppy ball-handlers by forcing them into uncompromising positions. He exerts a lot of energy on the defensive end of the floor, always stepping up to the challenge of guarding the opponents best perimeter threat. Already garnering interest from Ivy and Patriot League schools, it wouldn’t shock me to see his recruitment pick up when the NCAA evaluation periods return.