SEPA Spring Grassroots Report: Week 5
Jake Sniras of PSB Philly 15U-Harken. Photo: PSB Philly This past weekend’s grassroots circuit featured numerous southeastern Pennsylvania teams competing in the Big Shots- Philly Pride Tournament. So that is where we will concentrate the coverage for this week’s SEPA…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend’s grassroots circuit featured numerous southeastern Pennsylvania teams competing in the Big Shots- Philly Pride Tournament. So that is where we will concentrate the coverage for this week’s SEPA Grassroots Report.
Below is a review of prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania (and beyond) who played well on the grassroots circuit this weekend.
17U (2022/2023)
Darnell Carter – 6’7” / Senior / Great Oaks (DE) / S.M.M.-2022 / Center: Carter is interior beast who scores on second chance opportunities and two dribble moves that propel him from the elbows to the rack. Those skill sets combined with decent low post moves produced an impressive 12-point performance vs. Shawn Warren Elite . On the defensive end his length and athleticism make him an elite rim protector.
Isaiah Grimes – 6’3” / Junior / Penn Charter / PSB Philly-Ferrick / Wing: Grimes is coming off a season at PC where he shed the “energy, rebounds and defense guy” label. This spring his offensive skills set continues to show improvement. He is now a legitimate 3-point threat (40% from deep at this event). Grimes also will not hesitate to attack the basket off the dribble from the wing. In their win over Castle Athletics adidas he netted 15 points (2 threes). Grimes averaged double digits in rebounds this weekend as well.
Ernest Shelton Ernest Shelton 6'3" | CG Father Judge | 2023 State PA – 6’3” / Junior / Father Judge / Philly Pride Select / Combo Guard: Shelton continues to solidify his reputation as one of the best shooters in southeastern Pennsylvania’s Class of 2023. In addition to his shooting, Shelton continues to show improved off ball movement as well as tighter ball handling skills. He scored 15 points against Chris Ward Basketball and made it look easy.
16U (2024)
Josh Reed – 6’3” / Archbishop Wood / Philly Revolution / Wing: This bouncy scoring machine led his Revolution team to their 16U division title and was chosen as the MVP of championship game (15 points). Reed can score at all three levels and rebounds well for a guard. Plus, he plays with an intensity and focus that are rare among underclassmen. We predict this will be a huge spring/summer circuit for Reed.
Isaiah “Zay” Marshall – 6’2” / Friends Select / PA Royals / Wing: Marshall is an intriguing 2025 prospect who “played up” with the Royals 16U team and more than held his own. In fact, he was in attack mode the entire time we saw him play. Marshall is an athletic prospect who can handle contact and finish around the rim with both hands. On the perimeter, he is a streaky 3-ball shooter who has confidence in his stroke. He posted an impressive 16-point performance vs. NJ Panthers Select. This past winter Marshall averaged 10 ppg. for Friends Select.
Toby Ojukwu Toby Ojukwu 6'2" | PG Norcross | 2024 State GA – 6’2” / Roman Catholic / Philly Pride National UAA / Combo Guard: Ojukwu is coming off a breakout season at Roman (8.5 ppg. & 3.4 apg.) and this spring he continues to push his recruiting stock upward. He is a versatile backcourt prospect who can burn as a lethal outside shooting two-guard or a trustworthy primary ball handler. This past weekend at the Big Shots- Philly Pride event Ojukwu averaged 12 ppg. as team went 2-1.
Bill Sackor Bill Sackor 6'0" | CG Souderton | 2024 State PA – 6’2” / Souderton / Philly Pride Aces / Wing: Sackor is an extremely athletic prospect with a devastatingly quick first step and elusive handles. Once he has gotten into the paint, Sackor can finish in traffic. When he does not have the ball, Sackor works well off screens for catch and shoots threes that he buries at a high clip. Sackor and the Aces went 3-0 and won their 16U division at the Big Shots- Philly Pride tourney.
15U (2025)
KJ Cochran KJ Cochran 6'3" | CG Perkiomen | 2025 State #111 Nation PA – 6’2” / West Chester East / K Low Elite 3SSB / Combo Guard: This past winter, Cochran posted a solid season at WC-East (starter on varsity) and put his name on the recruiting map. He continues to impress on the spring grassroots circuit. With his squad “playing up” in the 16U division at Big Shots- Philly Pride , Cochran used his crafty dribbling skills to get to his floater game or all the way to the rim for a lay-in. When he was in distribution mode, he exceled at drive and kick passing.
Mike Green – 5’10” / Archbishop Wood / Philly Pride Select / Wing: A prominent three-point shooter, Green stretches the floor for Philly Pride Select. He averaged 11 ppg. (unofficially) this past weekend while helping his squad to a 3-1 record and an appearance in the championship game. In addition to his perimeter shooting, Green can fill a wing on the fast break, then score the rock through contact.
Kevair Kennedy Kevair Kennedy 6'1" | PG Father Judge | 2025 State PA – 5’10” / Father Judge / Philly Revolution / Point Guard: Kennedy is another talented backcourt player from Father Judge who is making a noise on the spring grassroots circuit. In the Rev’championship he dropped 13 points on Philly Pride and was named MVP of the contest. Kennedy is a lead guard who spaces the floor with his three-point shooting. Off the dribble, Kennedy is a skilled distributor who can use drive and dump / drive and kick passes to hit open teammates.
Ryan Mulroy Ryan Mulroy 6'3" | SF Upper Dublin | 2025 State PA – 6’4” / Upper Dublin / Philly Revolution / Wing: Mulroy is a knock down three-point shooter with textbook mechanics who made it rain triples at the Big Shots- Philly Pride tourney. His ability to find open space and his quick trigger make him extremely difficult to guard on the perimeter. When defenders crowd him, he has the basketball IQ and instincts to make the extra pass. Mulroy helped Revolution’s 15U group go 4-0 and win their division title.
Jake Sniras – 6’3” / Garnet Valley / PSB-Philly Harken / Combo Guard: Sniras is the 2025 prospect who has staged the biggest breakout on this spring grassroots circuit. He can shoot the jumper from anywhere on the floor. When guarded tightly he will put the ball on the deck and navigate his way to the tin. This past weekend he dropped 33 points on Big Shots Elite Tri-States. A high basketball IQ and a willingness to defend for 94 feet compliment his offensive skills.
Rashid Ushery – 6’4” / Delcastle Tech (DE) / Philly Pride National / Wing: At the Big Shots- Philly Pride tourney Ushery scored at all three levels and did nice work on the boards. His ability to drain contested triples was remarkable. He posted 21 points against 610 City (PA) as well as 15 points and 5 rebounds vs. Big Shots Elite. Ushery and the rest of Philly Pride ‘s 2025 National team went 2-1 and lost in the championship game of their 15U division.