City of Basketball Love

Tyler Sandora (@tyler_sandora) &
Austin Petolillo (@AustinPSports)
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PHILADELPHIA -- The Under Armour All-American Camp wrapped up its play on Friday with each of the eight teams getting a fourth and final game in front of several dozen Division I coaches, most of whom came from high-major programs down to Jefferson U to watch the talented field.

Here’s a notebook from the final morning of the event, featuring 2019 and 2020 prospects:

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North Jersey wing stands out with two-way play

Scottie Lewis is one of the most coveted players in the class of 2019, and it’s easy to see why he is so wanted by many high-major programs.

Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 185 pounds, Lewis possesses two important traits that any good wing guard should have: the ability to play lockdown defense, and athleticism that resembles that of a maxed out created player on NBA2K17.

Lewis, ranked as high as fifth on college recruiting boards for the class of 2019, has had schools such as Villanova, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, UConn and Georgetown offer him and has received interest from Duke, Kentucky and UCLA.

To him, it seems like he can never get off the phone.

“My recruiting has been great,” Lewis said. “Ever since (college coaches) were allowed to call us, my phone has been off the hook.”

One of the most intriguing things about Lewis’ recruitment is a possible package deal with one of his best friends and current teammate both at The Ranney School and with Team Rio National, shooting guard Bryan Antoine.

“We’ve thought about that before,” Lewis said. “That’s something we’ve been thinking of since we were in 8th grade; one time we made a joke about him leaving college freshman year and me staying two years so we can get drafted by the same team so we stay together.”

All weekend long, Lewis always found himself intercepting passes, locking down opponents and swatting shots but while he is a stud on the defensive end, Lewis says that he wants to become more of a scoring threat for his teams.

“I felt like I’ve become a leader on the defensive end,” Lewis said. “I’ve become that kind of guy that pumps the energy into my teammates, I lead my team so I think it’s time for me to become more of a scoring threat for my team and that’s how we should

This is Lewis’ second Under Armour All-American camp and playing with some of the best players in the country is something he’ll always cherish.

“This is great because I get to know everyone’s personalities and build connections, these are guys I’ll be playing with and playing against for the rest of my life.” Lewis said.  

“These guys will be going on to the next level and then some will go on to the NBA, it’s awesome to think about that kind of stuff, hopefully I’m one of them, so I’m proud to be here.”

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SoCal stud wing Stanley headed back to familiar territory

Cassius Stanley, Southern California’s most sought-after recruit in the 2019 class is returning to the school where he grew up attending, Sierra Canyon.

Stanley attended Sierra Canyon throughout elementary school and middle school, before transferring to Harvard-Westlake for his freshman and sophomore campaigns.

“I’m comfortable there,” he said. “I wouldn’t be Cassius Stanley without Sierra Canyon basketball. In middle school I was able to practice and play with the older guys which made me better and stronger.

“I wanted to make a change,” he added. “Sierra Canyon is pretty small, so I wanted to branch out and try something new.”

Last year, Sierra Canyon graduated seniors Cody Riley (UCLA), Remy Martin (Arizona State), and Adam Seiko (San Diego State), and while it’s unsure if Marvin Bagley III, the unanimous number one prospect in the 2018 class will return to Sierra Canyon for his senior year or instead go to college, Stanley will be joining classmate Kenyon Martin Jr., a transfer from Chaminade College Prep (Cali.).

A 6-5 guard, Stanley is known for his athleticism. His highlight reel dunks find himself with his head at the rim and the spectators’ jaw’s dropped to the floor.

In one game his freshman year, one of Stanley’s dunks went viral on the internet. Coming down the right side of the court with no one in front of him, Stanley leaped and brought the ball between his legs, all while completing a 180 degree spin and throwing the ball through the hoop.

Although he’s mostly known for his dunks, Stanley wants to prove to people that dunking isn’t his only strength.

“As I’ve progressed, people don’t want me dunking as much anymore,” he said. “Now I’m more of a facilitator who can shoot and play defense. Now, my dunking is once in every blue moon.”

Stanley’s athleticism doesn’t come by surprise. His mother ran track at UCLA, and he’s been working on his leaping abilities for as long as he can remember.

Arizona, Texas, Oregon, and Kansas have joined UCLA and USC, his hometown schools in pursuing the talents of the Los Angeles native.

“I think I’m going to sit down with my family at the end of this July period and really explore the options,” he said.

Quick Hits
-- When you watch Noah Farrakhan play, you can’t help but notice the similarities to reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook. A 6-1 lightning fast guard with an ability to change pace with his ultra-quick first step and bounce around the rim, Farrakhan is a rising sophomore at St. Benedict’s (N.J.). Farrakhan has the unique opportunity to start at the point guard position at Benedict’s for his freshman year, which he is grateful for, as he believes it has help prepare him for when the college coaches are looking on.

“I was there for my eighth grade year,” he said. “My brother, James Scott went there. He’s at Kennesaw State now. He had an unbelievable experience there, and I like how the coaches get you prepared for college.”

Florida, St. John’s, Ohio State, and Texas A&M have all offered the Team Rio (NJ) guard, in addition to Seton Hall, Farrakhan’s hometown school, and a campus he often trains at.

-- The youngest player in attendance at the camp was Jaden Springer, a 6-4 rising sophomore at Rocky River High (N.C.). While he still won’t turn 15 until September, Springer showed he belonged with the older kids with his work ethic, and strength when attacking the rim. Springer claims offers from Wake Forest, Stephen F. Austin, and New Mexico State, and has been receiving interest from Wisconsin, Maryland, and Stanford. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Springer recently attended the USA Basketball U16 minicamp, but after making the first cut, was not selected for the final 12-man roster.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “It’s crazy. Basketball has me traveling all around the world, playing against the best players in the country.”

-- One of the twelve players from the class of 2020 at the camp this weekend was Jamal Mashburn Jr. If the name sounds familiar, Mashburn Jr, is the son of former NBA All-star Jamal Mashburn who had a successful 12-year career in the NBA. Unlike his father, a 6-8 small forward, Mashburn Jr. is a 6-1 guard who can hit shots from downtown and run the floor. Mashburn Jr. currently holds two offers from Louisville and Miami (Fl.) and some interest from Florida State. Mashburn only scored two points last night to go along with two rebounds.

-- It’s been two years since Josh Green moved to Arizona from his home country of Australia, and now that he’s adjusted to the atmosphere and style of play, Green’s recruitment has recently skyrocketed. Arizona, UNLV, UCLA, TCU, and Washington are are after the 6-6 Aussie guard. A rising junior at Hillcrest Prep (Ariz.), this year Green will be joined by backcourt partner 2020 guard Kyree Walker, a top-five player in the class and an Arizona State commit. A lockdown defender and versatile wing, Green is most known for his explosiveness, and his ability to throw down emphatic one-handed slams on the break. “It’s natural and a work hard at it,” he said. “I’ve been dunking like that for a while now. Getting out in transition is a part of my game I really enjoy.