City of Basketball Love

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)

—

The June high school live periods tipped off in grand fashion Friday in Philadelphia, with several dozen local, regional and national programs taking the court at St. Joe’s Prep. It’s the first time that high school players have been able to play in front of Division I coaches since the end of the 2019-20 season, and the first time coaches have been able to see so many prospects in one building since July 2019. 

Here’s who stood out in front of our staff during Friday’s games:

(More Coverage: Day 1 Notebook | Day 2 Recruiting Notebook)

Khalif Crawley (2022 | Math, Civic and Sciences)

Crowley’s interest among colleges coaches has seen an uptick recently, with Saint Peter's and Radford offering this week to join those from several other low-to-mid-major programs; he also recently completed an unofficial visit with La Salle in early June. The burly 6-9 forward moves extremely well for his size and even pushes the ball in transition on occasion. Against Bonner, he was a force down the stretch and widened the lead with multiple and-ones. Expect the forward to pick up even more interest on the EYBL circuit in July.

Jacob Cummiskey (2024 | C.B. East)

Cummiskey was one of the top freshmen in the Southeastern Pa. area last season and he made his mark in the PIAA District One playoffs by hitting two game winning buzzer-beaters. The 6-3 lefty guard has grown two inches since the end of the season and looks like he could have a few more in him before it’s all said and done. Cummiskey finished with 15 points on Friday afternoon, starting off 4-4 from the field, knocking down a three and getting to the cup with some strong dribble moves. The rising sophomore is crafty with his dribble and can finish through contact in the lane.

Anthony Finkley (2023 | West Catholic)

In West Catholic’s victory over Salesianum (Del.), Finkley stuffed the stat sheet, finishing the game with 12 points (two made threes), five rebounds, four assists, and a steal and a block. Over the summer the 6-7 225-pound forward is working on shooting consistency and getting in shape. Finkley, who is with K-Low Elite, has heard from programs such as Seton Hall, Penn State, La Salle, Drexel, and St. Joe’s and Rutgers, both of which have offered him.

Drew Greene (2022 | Cherry Hill East)

Greene was all over the floor in Cherry Hill East’s 54-49 victory over C.B East on Friday. Greene, a 5-10 point guard who plays with Team Final Black for AAU finished with 23 points in the victory, scoring from all three levels and icing the game down the stretch going 4-of-5 from the free throw line with under two minutes to play. Greene has super quick feet, allowing him to beat his man to the spot on defense and cut off their lane to the basket. The rising senior was able to grab a few steals and showed the ability to set up his teammates as well.

Tristen Guilleotte (2024 | St. Joe’s Prep)

The hosts of Philly Live came into the event with an extremely young squad, but that didn’t stop them from thoroughly dominating District 1 powerhouse Chester High School 68-48, partially with the help of this emerging 2024 big man. Standing 6-9, the paint presence transferred to Prep from Life Center Academy (N.J.) this summer. He plays AAU ball for head coach Jason Harrigan and assistant Maalik Wayns on the EYBL circuit for the NJ Scholars. Guilleoute had a near triple-double in his summer debut for the Hawks, posting 12 points, eight rebounds and nine blocks. He has great size for his age and definitely has room to grow into his body. Against Chester he was simply an imposing force in the paint, converting down low efficiently and altering the shot path of any player who dared shoot over him. Guillouette has an offer from Saint Francis (N.Y.), and expect his list of suitors to grow in short order.

Jackson Hicke (2023 | Radnor)

Radnor has become increasingly competitive in the Central League in recent years. Jackson Hinke, a 6-5 wing, is one player to continue this trend for the Main lLne program. Jackson is fluid with the ball in his hands and utilizes this skill to get to his smooth jumpshot. Against Jefferson (West Virginia), Hinke erupted for 33 points. Such performances, coupled with his 4.2 GPA, will have programs contacting him shortly. He is a name to follow in July.

Mike Knouse (2022 | Archbishop Wood)

Archbishop Wood features a brand new starting five following the departure of Rashool Diggins (UConn), Marcus Randolph (Richmond), Daeshon Sheppard (La Salle), and Jaylen Stinson (James Madison). A player that will look to capitalize on the plethora of new minutes is 6-5 rising senior Mike Knouse. Knouse showed off his range and defensive ability early against Downingtown West — knocking down two quick threes and corralling multiple rebounds over Downingtown West’s 6-10 Jake Warren. He finished the contest with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Donovan Long (2022 | Rutgers Prep, N.J.)

The Rutgers Prep forward had a great game against Archbishop Carroll, constantly finishing around the rim and showing the ability to knock down a foul line jumpshot. At 6-6, with a strong body, Long plays bigger than his size and was a threat every time he rolled to the basket. Long finished with 21 points against Carroll and showed a great basketball IQ making the right read on several plays and always playing to his strengths. He needs to show more of a perimeter game going forward to be able to contribute at the Division I level on the offensive end.

Terron Murray (2024 I Camden N.J.)

The Panthers have an abundance of talent, highlighted by D.J. Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw, but Murray showed that he is ready to take a major step forward in year two under Rick Brunson. He had nine points in a 68-41 win over Colorado Prep (Colo.). He attacked with quick moves, particularly his crossover, and finished with both hands around the rim. The 6-3 combo guard is a terrific complement to Wagner and should see plenty of opportunities as defenses key on the No. 1 player in the class of 2023.

Izaiah Pasha (2023 | Cardinal O’Hara)

Cardinal O’Hara has found a budding star in 6-5 2023 wing Izaiah Pasha. Pasha, who plays AAU with Team Final Red and recently transferred to O’Hara from Central Dauphin East, was extremely productive in a wire to wire win over Mastery Charter North. He added 15 points to the winning effort, all of which came from the paint or the charity stripe, Pasha’s nimble footwork stood out as he euro’d around defenders to weave his way to the basket, where he converted at a very high rate. On defense, he has a keen understanding of how to use his length to disrupt the opposing team’s fast break with a timely chase down block. Similarly, in the half court setting he does a good job of clogging the passing lanes with his long reach. Pasha picked up his first offer from Siena shortly after his performance.

Ryan Pettit (2022 | Rutgers Prep, N.J.)

Although he only scored five points in Rutgers Prep’s 74-61 win over Archbishop Carroll, Petit proved how valuable of an asset he was to his squad. Petit ran the show for the Argonauts, taking care of the ball, playing at a great pace, and constantly finding the open man. The 6-2 left-handed guard also was a pest on the defensive end and took three charges as well, laying his body on the line for the team several times throughout the afternoon. Petit hit a mid-range pullup in traffic and had a nice move on the fast break, spinning and finishing with his off hand.

Shane Reilly (2022 | Holy Ghost)

Tony Chapman has a handful of skilled guards who can knock it down from deep and also get to the rim when they need to and Reilly fits that billing. The 6-3 lefty poured 20 points against Abington showcasing a variety of options in his arsenal. He hit two three-pointers, including the first trey of the contest. He sped past defenders and finished with both hands. He took defensive rebounds, initiated the offense and found teammates when the defense collapsed. The Firebirds have been at their best in recent years when they have been led by a strong corps of seniors and Reilly should lead the way for the 2022 class.

Dan Skillings Jr. (2022 | Roman Catholic)

There’s a lot to like about the high-flying game possessed by Dan Skillings of Roman Catholic + PhillyPrideUAA, but perhaps the most impressive part of his skillset is his motor. Skillings was all over the floor on Friday’s lopsided win over Saint Thomas Aquinas (N.J); whether it was fighting for an offensive rebound, diving for a loose ball, rejecting an opposing layup off the glass, or muscling his way into the paint for an easy two points, the energy was seemingly endless for Skillings. He finished with an impressive double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds, while also chipping in a few assists and several blocks and steals. Skillings was everywhere on the court and had Aquinas scrambling to find a solution, but to no avail. Final score 61-50 in favor of Skillings and his Roman squad.

Zion Stanford (2023 | West Catholic)

In the most electric game thus far, Stanford showed out, finishing inside including throwing down a dunk en route to a 16 point outing in West Catholic’s 59-54 win over Salesianum (Del.). Stanford, a K-Low Elite player, is working on his handle and creating his own shot this summer. The 6-5 205-pound wing has recently heard from La Salle and George Washington, and has an offer from Bryant. A varsity player since his first year, Stanford should be in for a big two seasons at West Catholic.

Masud Stewart (2022 | Neumann-Goretti)

Masud Stewart is the latest standout guard in the storied history of the Neumann-Goretti basketball program. On Friday afternoon, Masud proved he was just as capable a lead guard as the many Division I prospects who came before him, as the Saints downed Plymouth-Whitemarsh in a scrappy battle of guard-centric teams. Stewart has a muscular frame, which he uses to find success in the lane. He never shies away from contact and against a smaller PW frontcourt he had an easy time converting at the rim. Stewart, who is also academically a top ranked student in his class, tells me he has heard from many high academic schools: Binghamton, Columbia, Bucknell, and Holy Cross were among those that were included.

Robert Wright (2024 I Neumann-Goretti)

The Saints basically have an assembly line when it comes to guard development and Wright leads a superb 2024 class, along with Amir Williams, Khaafiq Myers and Deshon Dodson. He has all of the tools to be successful under Carl Arrigale. He can drive baseline and kick it to the open corner or wing. He gets into the lane and finishes through contact. He can catch and shoot from the outside or put the ball on the floor and nail it from the deep, too. With Hysier Miller (Temple) and Chris Evans (Claflin University) having moved on to the next level, there are starting spots up for grabs and Wright should be in the mix for the starting backcourt.

Honorable Mention:

Jacob Beccles (2022 | Constitution), Luke Brown (2024 | St. Joe’s Prep), Xzayvier Brown (2023 | Roman Catholic), Olin Chamberlain Jr. (2025 | St. Joe’s Prep),  Chase Coleman (2024 | Archbishop Carroll), Rasheed Dearry (2022 | Cheltenham), Rasheer Fleming (2022 | Camden, N.J.), Lamar Glover (2022 | Constitution), Moses Hipps (2024 | Archbishop Carroll), Isaiah Hynson (2024 | Salesianum, Del.), Jaron McKie (2025 | St. Joe’s Prep), Justin Moore (2022 | Archbishop Wood), E.J. Matthews (2022 | Cherry Hill East), Jake Warren (2023 | Downingtown West), Khalil Farmer (2022 | Roman Catholic), Shemar Wilbanks-Aqui (2023 | Sankofa)