Transfer Watch 2021: Part VI
In this article:
[player_tooltip player_id="1153953" first="Luke" last="Bevilacqua"] (C/O 2024) is headed to Neumann Goretti this fall. Photo: Team Final EYBL. The list of elite level prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania (and beyond) who are transferring high schools this off-season continues to grow here in…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe list of elite level prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania (and beyond) who are transferring high schools this off-season continues to grow here in July. Since our fifth installment of the 2021 transfer watch series, several more exceptionally talented area prospects have announced they will be changing schools this summer.
Among those highlighted in our sixth review of transfers for 2021 is another prospect on the move because of Bishop McDevitt’s closing and a highly rated New York City player who has decided to attend high school in Pennsylvania next year.
Luke Bevilacqua Luke Bevilacqua 6'10" | C George School | 2025 State #68 Nation PA – 6’9” / Sophomore / Neumann Goretti / Power Forward: At 6’9” and 230 pounds, Bevilacqua is a skilled prospect who operates on the interior and does it very effectively. Bevilacqua owns good footwork, can establish position on the low blocks and then score with either hand. His size combined with his tenacious streak make Bevilacqua a force on the glass. The big fella is also a solid rim protector. Every team needs a “big” who can provide a physical presence at both ends of the floor and in 2021-22 Bevilacqua will be that player for the NG Saints. The scary part is Bevilacqua has only been playing organized ball for three years. The former St. Augustine Prep (NJ) standout runs with Team Final EYBL during the spring/summer.
Christian Bliss – 6’3” / Sophomore / George School / Point Guard: Bliss if probably best known for shattering a backboard during his freshman year (2020) on a fast break dunk attempt. Eye witness accounts of that insane event were all over social media back in ’20. However this former Archbishop Molloy (NYC) scoring point guard can do then just elevate and flush on an opponent’s head. Bliss is especially adept at putting the ball on the floor and navigating his way through traffic for a lay-in. In transition he’s been known to weave his way through an entire team for a bucket. Bliss does an excellent job of using his body and muscling his way past defenders. He also excels with penetrate and kick to the open three point shooter plays. At the other end, Bliss is a very good on-ball defender. Bliss plays with the NY Rens during the grassroots season.
Angel Ortero – 5’11” / Junior / Abington Friends School / Combo Guard: Ortero has always been a hard-nosed combo guard who can absorb contact and finish at the rim, but last winter while playing for Roman Catholic he unveiled an improved 3-point shot that allowed him to help stretch the floor. Off the dribble Ortero can get to the cup using his excellent hesitation / change of pace skills or he can use his quickness to simply blow past a defender on a straight line. He posted multiple double-digit scoring games for Roman Catholic during the 202-21 season and will have an immediate impact at AFS. Ortero plays for BW Elite on grassroots circuit.
Shawn Smith – 6’2’ / Senior / Archbishop Carroll / Combo Guard: The wealth of talent that the now defunct Bishop McDevitt program has dispersed to area rosters continues to amaze us. Last winter Smith posted a stat line of 8.1 ppg. for McDevitt and his move to Carroll bolsters an already ridiculously group of guards ( Moses Hipps Moses Hipps 6'4" | SG AZ Compass Prep | 2024 State AZ , Chase Coleman Chase Coleman 6'2" | PG Rocktop Academy | 2024 PA and Jake West Jake West 6'1" | PG William Penn Charter | 2025 State #193 Nation PA ). At Philly HS Live (Session II) Smith scored 11 points vs. Executive Education Academy (PA) and looked very comfortable with his new team. During that two-day event Smith displayed an effective 3-point shot and moved without the ball very well. At the defensive end of the floor, he is a very disruptive player.