Mid-Atlantic Independent Shootout: PA Players to Watch – Part 2
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The Philly are is sending busloads of elite players up to Blair Academy for the Mid-Atlantic Independent Shootout. There, they’ll compete against schools from CT, MA, NY, NJ, MD, VA, and other parts of PA. Here are another handful of…
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Continue ReadingThe Philly are is sending busloads of elite players up to Blair Academy for the Mid-Atlantic Independent Shootout. There, they’ll compete against schools from CT, MA, NY, NJ, MD, VA, and other parts of PA. Here are another handful of guys who’ll be representing the Keystone State.
Basil Laster | 6’4 G ‘24 Academy of the New Church
Making his way from the ‘23 class and Archbishop Wood, Laster is coming off a season where he averaged 8.4 points and 4.8 assists in the Catholic League. More than the stats show, he developed a ton in his first season of varsity action. The late-bloomer flashed as a primary ball-handler and facilitator on one end and an on-ball disrupter on the other. Drexel and other mid-majors are already chasing him.
Matt Mayock Matt Mayock 6'4" | SG Westtown School | 2023 State PA 6’7 W ‘23 Westtown
The Moose were depleted with Lively II (Duke), Brown (Penn St), and Berger (St. Joe’s) off to college. But having Matt back helps in a number of ways. His feel as a weak side defender – rotating to shooters and walling off cutters – will be crucial for a team with several new additions. Offensively, he’ll space the floor with his volume three point shooting and make connecting passes to sustain possessions. Mayock won’t be slept on for much longer.
Onyekachi Nzeh Onyekachi Nzeh 6'9" | PF George School | 2023 State PA | 6’8 F ‘23 George School
Kachi’s athleticism on both ends is undeniable – dunks, rebounds, blocks, steals. What is still underrated is his touch as a free throw shooter and in the mid-range. The reinforcements (re: transfers) that the Cougars brought in should help him develop and showcase more of the nuances in his game – the cutting, passing, and screening – as they ramp up for a run at the Friends League title. The Big 10 & A10 are already coming after him.
Saleem Payne, Jr. Saleem Payne, Jr. 5'11" | CG Phelps School | 2023 State PA | 5’11 G ‘23 Phelps
Leem has been carving up the circuit with Gibbs Elite 17U. Linking back up with his Phelps squad, Payne will run the show for them at MAIS. His quickness makes it difficult for defenses to contain him. The Lions will lean on him for instance offense, scoring at each level and facilitating. He recently picked up an offer from Chestnut Hill College and there will be more to come.
Earle Greer Jr Earle Greer Jr 6'7" | SF Rocktop Academy | 2023 State PA | 6’6 W ‘23 Abington Friends
West-Ingram has come alive on the court this spring and into the summer. Monday, his hard work paid off in the form of an offer from Robert Morris. Ife’s performance this weekend will be telling. If he can generate points with his jumper, to go along with the opportunistic scoring, and hold his own amongst the plethora of highly touted wing prospects who’ll alo be there, Ife can parlay that performance into more offers.
Ryan Williams Ryan Williams 6'3" | SG Malvern Prep | 2024 State PA | 6’3 G ‘24 Malvern Prep
The baby-faced assassin took the Inter-Ac by force in Malvern’s first season since the pandemic. The versatile scoring package he showed with Philly Pride carried over nicely. What really took people by surprise was his secondary playmaking. His facilitating off the bounce was almost as lethal as his scoring. The Friars will likely shift him into the primary role as they head to Blairstown. Temple and Penn are in the mix early.
Other players to watch
Deywilk Tavarez Deywilk Tavarez 6'2" | CG Academy of New Church | 2023 State PA | 6’1 G ‘23 ANC
Christian Bliss | 6’4 G ‘24 George School
Niymire Brown Niymire Brown 6'4" | SF Upper Darby | 2023 State PA | 6’7 W ‘23 Friends Select
Luke Bevilacqua Luke Bevilacqua 6'10" | C George School | 2025 State #68 Nation PA | 6’10 C ‘25 George School
Andrew Phillips Andrew Phillips 6'3" | SF Malvern Prep | 2023 State PA | 6’6 F ‘23 Malvern Prep
Justin Houser | 6’11 C ‘24 Phelps
Argel Pettit aka “IV” | 6’2 G ‘23 Phelps
Malik Rasul Malik Rasul 6'8" | PF Westtown School | 2024 State PA | 6’8 W ‘24 Westtown
For more hoops coverage, follow me @CGraham_Sports on twitter/IG. And follow @MidatlanticISTC on twitter for updates on their event.