SEPA July Stock Risers: 2022s (17U) – Part II
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[player_tooltip player_id="991172" first="Neel" last="Beniwal"] of Phelps School & RI Elite. Photo: Phelps School Athletics Below is Part II of our look at 17U (2022) prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania who played outstanding basketball during the July 2021 grassroots circuit and raised…
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Continue ReadingBelow is Part II of our look at 17U (2022) prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania who played outstanding basketball during the July 2021 grassroots circuit and raised their stock with college coaches as well as scouts.
Neel Beniwal Neel Beniwal 6'5" | SG Phelps School | 2022 State PA – 6’5” / Phelps School / Rhode Island Elite / Shooting Guard: We are not sure how a long, athletic, lethal 3-point shooting prospect like Beniwal is still flying under the radar, but that appears to be the case here. Well, it’s time college coaches to take notice because in July Beniwal scorched the nets from behind the arc at Hoop Group events like the Spooky Nook Jam Fest, Summer Jam Fest and Atlantic City Jam Fest. He can hit spot up threes, transition threes or off the dribble 3PAs. At the AC Jam Fest Beniwal splashed home 5 threes (19 pts total) vs the PSA Cardinals (NY). In addition to his high percentage perimeter shooting, Beniwal owns a very fantastic basketball IQ, a non-stop motor and he competes on every trip down the floor.
Thomas Haugh – 6’9” / Perkiomen School / Philly Pride Gold / Wing: A 6’9” prospect who handles like a point guard, drains threes like a shooting guard and cleans the glass (at both ends) like a power forward — Haugh is basically a unicorn in basketball shoes. For his size, Haugh is extremely athletic and has great footwork. At July events like the Atlantic City Jam Fest, he went head-to-head with several nationally ranked 17U bigs and more than held his own. Last month he averaged 14 points and 7.5 rebounds per game with a high scoring effort of 26 points. After his high level of play during July, numerous mid-majors like Quinnipiac, Holy Cross, Boston Univ., Fairfield and Marist jumped on the Haugh bandwagon with offers.
Angel Otero – 5’11” / Abington Friends School / BW Elite / Combo Guard: Otero has always been a hard-nosed, crafty combo guard who can absorb contact and finish at the rim, but this summer his improved 3-point stroke proved to be an effective weapon making Otero a dual threat guard. In the championship game of the Spooky Nook Jam Fest (PA), Otero knocked home three treys (13 points total) and BW Elite took home the trophy. Now that opponents must respect his perimeter shooting, Otero can use that threat to set up his dribble-drive game. Otero 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. Otero’s play was a big reason BW Elite had a 13-3 record in July.
Blake Smith – 6’5” / Germantown Academy / K-Low Elite / Combo Guard: Last winter Smith earned his way into GA’s starting lineup and had a very solid high school season. He used that momentum to post an excellent spring circuit and did not let up in July. Down in Alabama at the adidas 3SSB Gold Gauntlet he posted several excellent runs including 23 points and 9 rebounds vs. Team Loaded (NC) as well as 13 points and 4 rebounds against the Arkansas Hawks. Over the course of that event he averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds per game. Last month Smith showed that he is a skilled and versatile scoring wing who because of his excellent court vision is also a high level passing big man. As a nice bonus to Smith’s interior scoring game and passing ability, at times he can reach into his bag and drain a spot up three.