By Amauro Austin Sr

Amauroaustinsr@gmail.com

IG: @aasnotes

As the Calendar moves to 2023 and the action gets hot in gyms all across the Delaware Valley, quite a few Hoops Prospects have yet to select a college. Here is my guide to who’s available and who should be tracking their availability from what my “Scout’s Eyes” have seen.. Our region is very rich with Private Day & Boarding schools. One of the best regions in the country for such institutions of pre-higher ed.. And most of these schools are known for their thriving sports programs. The Inter-Ac League’s Sports rivalries are Nationally recognized..

A few house rules before we begin: If I haven’t seen the player, he likely won’t be listed. pretty simple right? If a player is still playing and in his 6th year of playing at the prep level this year, he will not be listed.. Just go to college please son.. Gotta draw the line somewhere.. If a player starts at a Juco (where he likely took out financial aid) and then comes back to play in prep games, he is disqualified from my list (yes sadly this happens more often than you may think)..

We group the players by position: Point/Combo Guards… Wings… Forwards… Bigs…

Point/Combo Guards

Deywilk Tavares 6-3 185 2/1 Academy of the New Church — big, skilled, crafty combo guard, deceptive athleticism, 3-level scorer who can get create his own offense and create for others.. Past Injuries have stalled his recruitment.. Should be a hot name the rest of this winter into the spring.. Recruitable up to the MAAC/CAA level..

Saleem Payne 5-10 160 PG Phelps School — jitterbug, jet point guard with very good scoring ability & defensive doggedness.. Finishes plays at the rim, born leader.. Should have widespread Scholarship D2 interest but could slide into a Low Major D1.. Only takes one to appreciate him..

IV Pettit 6-1 180 1G Phelps School — lead guard with high IQ actually projects as more of a PG but the because of his Elite outside shooting ability he’s able to play the role of secondary ball handler.. Shoots well both off the catch and off the bounce Instant contributor at a scholarship D2 who like Payne I’m sure is waiting to see if he can get into the D1 club..

Naji Reid 5-11 170 2/1 League Bound Academy — former Imhotep sniper has added a much more polished off the dribble game to his deep shooting arsenal.. Pitbull-like defender.. Can come on a PSAC or CIAA campus immediately ready to contribute…

Dante Weise 6-1 180 PG George School — team leader and glue guy.. Plays like a Coach’s kid.. Makes the right plays over and over.. Makes sure everyone eats in the star-studded George School offense while still getting a few himself by converting his open looks and sinking his free throws.. D2 talent who I could easily see at one of the Elite D3s (Macon, Amherst, Williams, Ithaca, ect.)..

Wings

Earle Greer Jr 6-7 175 2/3 Rocktop Academy — As intriguing a prospect as there is in the area.. Late bloomer whose late growth spurt has allowed him to play 3 positions on both ends of the floor.. Some say his best position is as a scoring lead guard.. Deadly pull-up jumper.. Lively arms and legs.. May still be growing.. Rocktop Boss: Sam Rines is no stranger in developing talents like Greer.. Remember Similar pupils like Taurence Johnson & Kyle Kuzma among others.. This development bares watching…

Justin Molen 6-6 185 SF The Hill School — 2022 Gatorade Delaware State Player of the Year after a standout career at Salesianum now looking to increase recruitment with a postgrad year for Seth Eilberg’s Hill Program.. Molen is a jack of all trades type who is multi-positional and does whatever it takes to win.. Can dribble, pass & shoot (sounds elementary, but having all 3 skills is rarer than you think).. Plays for keeps with the will to win.. D1 prospect.. Kinda head-scratching that he’s still on the board.. Some Small college could get a steal..

Jaren Morton 6-5 190 SF Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy — Streaky shooter with deep range & great size on the perimeter.. Improved defender… Another guy who’ll get long looks from Low Major D1s this winter..

Collin Bowman 6-3 180 2G Friends Central School — fearless lefty sharp-shooter who plays with grit & moxie.. Can get to his offense off the bounce while being an Elite catch and shoot guy.. I’m sure he’s getting widespread small college interest.. If not, he should be..

Carson Mastin 6-3 185 2/3 George School — Athletic swing man who finishes plays at the rim.. Swiss Army knife type.. Hardnosed perimeter defender.. Plays for keeps and does all the dirty work for Coach Ben Luber’s club.. Priority guy for quality D3 programs..

Forwards

Priest Ryan 6-6 210 4/3 Perkiomen School — Pittsburgh area native has been the emotional leader at Thomas Baudinet’s Panther gang.. Feasts around the basket, Attacks downhill off the bounce, Cleans up a lot of mess.. Grunt work guy.. Capable defender of both bigger guys & smaller guys.. Very useful team piece.. Should be receiving widespread Low Major D1 interest..

Bigs

Christian Kirkland 6-8 200 StrBig Friends Select — Big lefty known for his pick & pop 3s.. Improved Rebounder & defender.. Should receive Low Major interest this winter but could turn into a steal for D2 programs..

— AA