City of Basketball Love

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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The summer is a great time for discovering the next group of high schoolers to track. Here’s some new names we hadn’t seen much of before this summer but are eager to see more of moving forward: 

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Riley Davis (2027 | Notre Dame Academy)
The 2027 class is shaping up to be a great one in the Philly area — several rising freshmen already made major varsity contributions as 8th graders, and there are even more who look ready to play big roles in their first seasons this winter. Davis, a 5-8 guard, is one of the latter; long and athletic, she’s an excellent outside shooter who impacts the game defensively at a high level against her age group. Wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if she’s a day one starter; we also hear she’s an excellent lacrosse player.

Langston Foster (2025 | Lower Merion)
There won’t be too many familiar faces for the Aces this winter, but Foster is definitely a player to keep an eye on emerging for the Central League power. The 6-foot-3 combo guard is a smooth operator at the point guard spot, gliding through traffic before kicking to teammates. He has a shot that allows him to be effective off the ball too. He looked in control of the game when we saw him in multiple viewing for Philly Pride’s 16U Select group.

Kenjai Gaitling (2027 | Bonner-Prendergast)
It sounds like Gaitling is about to make a lot of noise in Delco — an impressive young guard, Gaitling is apparently also a high-level quarterback who’s expected to come in and compete for the Friars’ starting job on the gridiron from day one. That might delay the start of his hoops season, but he’s shown in multiple watches this summer that he’s ready to play varsity minutes right away. Athletic and with good size (6-2), Gaitling had no trouble adjusting to the speed of the high school game and plays with a confident aggressiveness. 

Munir Greig (2027 | Imhotep Charter)
The headliner of an impressive freshman crop at ‘Tep is Greig, as the 6-6 wing is the heir apparent to Justin Edwards (Kentucky), with every bit the chance to be a top-five talent in his class. Greig has the requisite size and length on the wing; he’s a smooth athlete who can finish above the rim, score from all three levels, and competes at both ends. There’s plenty of polishing he can do and he’s still growing into his frame, but the foundation is as strong as any around.

Nick Harken (2027 | Malvern Prep)
It was a good summer for both Nick and his older brother Jakob Harken, a rising junior at Perk Valley who looks ready to play a starting role, but the younger Harken really opened eyes with his play with the East Coast Power 15s in July. (He certainly didn't look out of place on the varsity court with Malvern Prep in June either.) A bouncy 6-3 guard, Harken threw down multiple in-game dunks to showcase his athleticism, is comfortable with the ball in his hands, and has good pace and feel. We’d be surprised if he’s not a varsity contributor from the get-go.

Carnell Henderson (2025 | Imhotep)
Even with Ahmad Nowell still around and sophomore R.J. Smith back after getting plenty of action as a freshman, Henderson showed this summer there’s a role for him on the Panthers this winter. The 6-foot-2 guard can really get to the basket and he’s a willing passer, which we saw with him running with the younger ‘Tep group during spring league. He popped off for a few big outings in front of the CoBL staff during the July live periods with BW Elite, also showcasing some outside range to go with that strong driving ability. 

Jasir Henderson (2027 | Sankofa Freedom)
Henderson stood out before Sankofa even started playing in the Philly Live event in June, his physicality notable for a rising freshman, but the 6-3 wing backed it up with strong play. He’s a hard worker around the rim, slashing to the bucket with the ball in his hands, and he’s a quality finisher with both hands — through contact, awkward angles, you name it. His ceiling will be determined by how he develops as a guard and his perimeter scoring but there’s already a lot to like here.

Owen Kelly (2026 | Springside-Chestnut Hill)
Kelly really came on over the course of this offseason, the 6-4 wing looking like he’s ready to play a major role in the Inter-Ac this fall. Kelly is a left-handed wing guard with good size and mobility, able to get his shot off from the mid-range and beyond the arc off the bounce or the catch, and he’s a smooth finisher around the rim as well. He’s bouncy and plays hard, and isn’t shy about looking for his own shot, even on a veteran SCH squad. 

Zaahir Muhammad-Gray (2026 | Imhotep Charter)
Another rising sophomore who went from a junior varsity player a year ago to looking like they’ll be a major part of the rotation this fall — though he did see some action during the Panthers' state title run late in the season — is Muhammad-GrayT. he 6-5 wing/forward, who suited up for the Team Final Red EYBL 15U squad, has great poise on the court, not trying to do too much but impacting the game in all sorts of ways; he’s tough on the glass, can stretch the floor to the 3-point arc (with good efficiency), has a mid-range game, can put the ball on the floor in the open court. Not super-skilled yet at creating his own shot, but he’ll earn a role due to his versatility and energy.

Andrew O’Keeffe (2025 | Council Rock North)
Now pushing 6-9 after a significant growth spurt the last couple years, O’Keeffe is an intriguing young post who’s just starting to scratch the surface. He’s got soft touch on his jumper with range out to the 3-point arc, and has good hands/footwork, as well as strong passing ability out of the high and low post. O’Keeffe needs to continue to work on his foot speed and athleticism while refining his pick-and-pop game, and he’ll have a whole boatload of college options by next year.

Kitty Randa (2024 | Hatboro-Horsham)
Randa made her return to organized hoops two winters ago and was an All-SOL Liberty honorable mention selection last winter in her first time as a varsity starter — so maybe “discovery” isn’t the correct word. But in extended action in front of the CoBL staff with Heat Hoops 17U this summer, the 6-foot-1 wing/forward showed off a versatile game and terrific coordination that make her an intriguing prospect. She’ll be back on the soccer field in the fall and then will have one more winter before she starts making plans for the next level. 

Tali Simpkins (2024 | Eng. & Sciences)
Looonnnggg is the first word that comes to mind when describing the 6-foot-4 combo guard, who was a real eye catcher at Philly Live in June. He’s certainly an interesting two-way prospect that wasn’t on our radar too much last season when he averaged 5.8 ppg in the Public League. But Simpkins can create for himself or do some dirty work to get his points and should be a name that pops up more frequently in the box score this upcoming season.

Robbie Sukaly (2025 | Dock Mennonite)
Sukaly had a reserve role on a veteran North Penn team that went to the state playoffs last winter. He created some buzz for himself this spring with PSB Philly and then again with Dock Mennonite in June where he continued to make some noise. The 6-foot-4 guard/wing fit right in with the Knights as an athletic wing with some range who can score efficiently. With 1,000-point scorer Nathan Lapp gone due to graduation, Sukaly should continue to be a standout in the Bicentennial along with returners Vaughan Martin and Tony Martin.

Tyler Sutton (2027 | George School)
Sutton, an explosive 5-10 guard, was a game MVP in the Jr. All-City Classic in his only action in front of the CoBL staff this summer. Already a freak athlete with great court vision, it was clear he was one who we’ll keep an eye on over the next four years. Then his summer included offers from the likes of Washington, Iowa, Penn State and Virginia and trip to the Jr. NBA Showcase in Las Vegas. He should make an impact in the backcourt for the Cougars — the reigning PAISAA runner-ups — in 2023-34.