City of Basketball Love

Rich Flanagan (@richflanagan33)
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One of the Northeast’s best annual events of the June live recruiting periods tips off this weekend as Philly Live returns. Jefferson University returns as a host, while additional matchups will be played at the new Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center, operated by Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB), over the course of three days of Session I. 

The event has grown with each new iteration, and this is the biggest field yet with the usual programs from southeastern Pa., but teams from Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Massachusetts, Maryland, and West Virginia will also descend upon Philadelphia for hundreds of college coaches from all levels.

There will be nonstop action as some of the best players and teams in the nation will compete across 10 courts. With so much basketball to take in, here are some of the featured matchups slated for Day One; Friday’s full schedule is at the bottom:

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2024 Philly Live I Previews
Friday, June 21 | Saturday, June 22 | Sunday, June 23

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Overbrook vs. Pocono Mt. West
1:10 p.m., Jefferson Ct. 3

Overbrook took home a game in the PIAA Class 4A Tournament and nearly secured a second, and now standout seniors in Omar Davis (Delaware County Community College), Nasir Kelly and Tahmere Manning having moved on, the Panthers will look to reload behind 2025 6-foot guard Malcolm Thomas, 2026 6-foot guard Kalief Armstrong, and 2025 6-4 forward Omar Warring. PMW head coach Rich Williams leads a talented squad highlighted by 2025 6-6 wing Adrian Brito, who holds an offer from Fairleigh Dickinson and played with the Dominican Republic 17U National Team. Brito is as versatile a player as there will be playing this weekend with his combination of size and skill. He can hit from the out but thrives at taking players off the dribble and finishing at the rim. He’s joined by 2026 6-2 guard KJ Coles, who has been receiving interest from Lafayette, Penn, William & Mary, Holy Cross and Bucknell.

Central York vs. Rutgers Prep (N.J.)
1:10 p.m., PYB Ct. 4

The PIAA Class 6A champions will be a fixture on Friday night as 2025 6-8 big man Ben Rill and 2025 6-2 floor general Ben Natal are back from last year’s state title run.  Rill converts at the rim with terrific strength and a variety of post moves while Natal gets into the lane where he can hit a floater and distribute to several options including 2026 6-2 wing Brooklyn Nace and 2026 6-foot guard Ryan Brown. Matt Bloom’s Argonauts have regularly been one of the better teams in N.J. for some time now and they have a breakout freshman in 6-2 guard Jacob Canton, who avg. 16.1 ppg in his first varsity season. 2025 6-7 wing Myles Parker should be a problem while a pair of freshmen in 6-7 forward Andrew Kretkowski and guard Rocco Loomis are ready to blossom heading into year two.

West Catholic vs. St. Rose (N.J.)
3:30 p.m., Jefferson Ct. 3

The Burrs are a year removed from the first state title in program history and are hoping last season was simply a down one. Senior guard Saaid Lee is the most experienced part of the Burrs' roster, but it's the youth that has Miguel Bocachica excited. The diamond in the rough is 2026 6-7 forward Kingston Wheatley, who is a ferocious rebounder and finishes through contact. Wheatley is the player to watch in the middle. A young group of 2027 guards in Jayvon Byrd (5-10), Xavier Fauntroy (6-2), Myles Moore (6-3), and Rahmir Speaks (6-2) provides a glimpse into the future of the West Catholic program. Matt Hodge is off to play at Villanova, but Brian Lynch has his brother, Jayden to lean on moving forward. Jayden is a 2026 6-5 wing who boasts offers from Ohio State, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, Villanova, Penn State, Maryland, Temple, Monmouth, Seton Hall, St. Bonaventure and Old Dominion. Jayden is flanked by 2025 6-3 guard Bryan Ebeling, 2025 6-3 sharpshooter Evan Romano, and 2027 6-5 wing Avery Lynch, Brian’s nephew.

Devon Prep vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary (Ohio)
5:50 p.m., Jefferson Ct. 1

With two state championships in three years, the tide has certainly turned for the Tide and they are now one of the main attractions at Philly Live. 2025 6-4 forward Zane Conlon can score from anywhere on the court and has evolved into a matchup nightmare. 2025 6-3 guard Shane Doyle does a little bit of everything and 2025 6-7 forward Reece Craft can score in the post or drive right by his defender. 2025 6-3 guard Calvin Smith can hit from deep, and 2026 6-2 guard Mason Thear can score and rebound. The On the other side at the alma mater of NBA all-time leading scorer LeBron James, head coach Dru Joyce II, who will be inducted into the American Basketball Hall of Fame at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan on June 30, brings in a team with plenty of options in 2025 6-9 big man John Whorton and 2025 5-10 guard Noah Chambers.

Archbishop Carroll vs. Upper St. Clair
5:50 p.m., PYB 3

Archbishop Carroll’s run to the PIAA Class 4A title game came as a surprise due to its inexperience but there was no denying its talent as its mix of freshmen and sophomores blended together beautifully and now they’re hungry for more. 2026 6-6 wing Luca Foster handles things inside and out while 2026 5-11 guard Ian Williams (who's unfortunately sidelined this month with a torn patellar) is the unquestioned leader at the point. 2027 6-5 wing Munir Greig picked up an offer from Villanova at Philly Live last year and should be a hot commodity.  2026 6-1 guard Nasir Ralls can light it up in a hurry and 20267 6-8 big man Drew Corrao is progressing nicely; another 2026, Christian Matos, brings more firepower from the outside. There is talent and depth with the Patriots.

Tyler Robbins is a true man in the middle at 6-10 and the 2025 forward is coming off a year where he avg. 13.6 ppg, 11.2 rpg and 5.1 bpg in leading Upper St. Clair to the state quarterfinals. Robbins recently picked up offers from Robert Morris, Pepperdine and Duquesne to add to St. Francis (Pa.) and Loyola (Md.). He’s a 1,000-point scorer and one of the most skilled big men to be featured at Philly Live. 2026 6-3 guard Peja Strobl is receiving interest from Duquesne, La Salle, William & Mary, American University, Mercyhurst, UTEP, Bucknell, Boston University, Colgate and Lafayette. 2025 6-6 wing Kaamil Jackson and 2025 5-10 guard Julian Dahlem are two players to watch around Robbins and Strobl.

Richmond Heights (Ohio) vs. Imhotep Charter
5:50 p.m., PYB 4

The Panthers are the team to beat in the Public League every single year now and Andre Noble, a man with over 500 career wins and 10 PIAA state titles to his name, has them primed to be a force yet again. 2026 6-6 wing Zaahir Muhammad-Gray, who holds offers from Georgia Tech and Bryant, and 2026 5-9 guard RJ Smith Jr. spearhead this particular group. There is also 2026 6-4 Latief Lorenzano-White, who burst onto the scene last season, 2026 6-8 wing Zion Green is one of the best prospects in the area. Look for 2025 6-3 guard Carnell Henderson to be a difference maker. Dorian Jones is a four-star prospect in the class of 2025 and the 6-4 Richmond Heights wing will have lots of attention as he announced his top-10 schools in April as USC, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Arkansas, Rutgers, Missouri, Alabama, Oklahoma, Illinois and Houston are all vying for his services. 2025 6-3 guard Demarris Winthers holds offers from Ohio University, Tulane, Robert Morris, Kent State, Akron and Arizona State. This should be one of the best games of the opening weekend.

St. Joseph’s Prep vs. Akron Buchtel (Ohio)
7:00 p.m., Jefferson Ct. 1

The Hawks are hoping to build on a Philadelphia Catholic League quarterfinal appearance as 2025 6-3 guard Jaron McKie, with Florida Gulf Coast, Seton Hall, St. Joe’s, Bucknell, Penn, Temple and St. Louis, and 2025 6-3 guard Jordan Ellerbee, boasting offers from Florida Gulf Coast, Drexel and Lafayette, have their sights set on greater aspirations. 2025 6-foot guard Olin Chamberlain Jr. is one of the area’s best shooters and 2026 6-4 guard Will Lesovitz should see extended minutes this season. The McKie name runs deep at St. Joe’s Prep has Jaron’s younger brothers, 6-5 forward Julian McKie and 6-foot guard Justin McKie, enter in as freshmen hoping to make an immediate impact. Akron Buchtel, which won its first OHSAA state title a season ago, is led by 2025 6-2 guard and Qatar native Moustapha Ndao and 2025 6-3 wing Stevie Diamond, a football prospect with an offer from Marshall.

Imani Christian vs. Archbishop Wood
7:00 p.m., PYB 4

Imani Christian is now a household name with two consecutive PIAA Class A titles and its duo of electric guards is back as 2025 5-11 combo RJ Sledge and 2025 6-foot combo Nate Brazil plan to keep things going. Brazil exploded for 48 points against Bishop Carroll in the state semifinals then the tandem combined for 40 points in the state final in Hershey. They will be aided by 2025 6-3 wing Markus Williams and 2025 6-2 guard Tristen Brown. The Vikings will be without their Division I leaders as Jalil Bethea (UMiami) and Josh Reed (Drexel) have moved on, and a deep senior corps has also graduated. John Mosco has plenty remaining to maintain Archbishop Wood’s position in the Philadelphia Catholic League as 2025 6-5 wing Milan Dean will see an expanded role. 2025 6-3 guard Deuce Maxey boasts offers from St. Joe’s and Lafayette and should be an integral part of the team’s success as will 2025 6-foot sharpshooter Mike Green. The wildcards will be 2026 6-4 Brady MacAdams and 2027 prospects in 6-1 guard Jarrod "Buddy" Denard and 6-9 forward Jayden Jenkins, who picked up an offer from Albany this spring. 

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Friday, June 21
12:00 PM
Jefferson 1: Octorara vs. Sankofa Freedom
Jefferson 2: Brandywine vs. Collegium Charter
Jefferson 3: Cheltenham vs. Milford (Del.)
Jefferson Aux.: Lansdale Catholic vs. Downingtown East
PYB 1: SLA Beeber vs. Bethlehem Christian
PYB 2: Howard (Del.) vs. Constitution
PYB 3: Central Bucks West vs. West Chester Henderson
PYB 4: Pennridge vs. Sussex Central (Del.)
PYB 5: Haddonfield Memorial (N.J.) vs. Penncrest
PYB 6: Delco Christian vs. Neshaminy

1:10 PM
Jefferson 1: KIPP Cooper Norcross (N.J.) vs. Octorara
Jefferson 2: Lenape (N.J.) vs. Marple Newtown
Jefferson 3: Overbrook vs. Pocono Mt. West
Jefferson Aux.: Collegium Charter vs. Hopewell Valley (N.J.)
PYB 1: Parkland vs. West Philadelphia
PYB 2: BCIT (N.J.) vs. Council Rock South
PYB 3: La Academia vs. Delmar (Del.)
PYB 4: Central York vs. Rutgers Prep (N.J.)
PYB 5: Chester vs. Weequahic (N.J.)
PYB 6: Central Dauphin vs. Audenried Charter

2:20 PM
Jefferson 1: Paul VI vs. Salesianum (Del.)
Jefferson 2: Big Spring vs. Howard (Del.)
Jefferson 3: Martinsburg vs. Sankofa Freedom
Jefferson Aux.: West Chester Henderson vs. State College
PYB 1: William Tennent vs. Bethlehem Christian
PYB 2: Hershey vs. Eastern (N.J.)
PYB 3: Kennett vs. Downingtown East
PYB 4: Delco Christian vs. Pitman (N.J.)
PYB 5: Abington vs. Penncrest
PYB 6: Glasgow (Del.) vs. Neshaminy

3:30 PM
Jefferson 1: Allderdice vs. Cardinal O’Hara
Jefferson 2: Lenape (N.J.) vs. St. Elizabeth (Del.)
Jefferson 3: West Catholic vs. St. Rose (N.J.)
Jefferson Aux.: Pocono Mt. West vs. West Philadelphia
PYB 1: Council Rock South vs. Constitution
PYB 2: Lansdale Catholic vs. Harry S. Truman
PYB 3: Dock Mennonite vs. Overbrook (N.J.)
PYB 4: Upper St. Clair vs. Archbishop Wood
PYB 5: Central Bucks South vs. Boyertown
PYB 6: Central Regional (N.J.) vs. Radnor

4:40 PM
Jefferson 1: Big Spring vs. Conestoga
Jefferson 2: Coatesville vs. Paul VI
Jefferson 3: Rutgers Prep (N.J.) vs. Saint Ignatius (Ohio)
Jefferson Aux.: Garnet Valley vs. Milford (Del.)
PYB 1: Phoenixville vs. La Academia
PYB 2: Cedar Crest vs. Pitman (N.J.)
PYB 3: Kennett vs. Delmar (N.J.)
PYB 4: Parkland vs. Sussex Central (N.J.)
PYB 5: Central York vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh
PYB 6: Central Dauphin vs. Holy Ghost Prep

5:50 PM
Jefferson 1: Devon Prep vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary (Ohio)
Jefferson 2: Taylor Allderdice vs. Archbishop Ryan
Jefferson 3: Bonner-Prendie vs. Executive Education
Jefferson Aux.: State College vs. Dock Mennonite
PYB 1: Central Regional (N.J.) vs. Hershey
PYB 2: Harry S. Truman vs. Boyertown
PYB 3: Archbishop Carroll vs. Upper St. Clair
PYB 4: Richmond Heights (Ohio) vs. Imhotep Charter
PYB 5: Weequahic (N.J.) vs. Central Bucks South
PYB 6: Hopewell Valley (N.J.) vs. Radnor

7:00 PM
Jefferson 1: St. Joseph’s Prep vs. Akron Buchtel (Ohio)
Jefferson 2: Greater Johnstown vs. Camden Eastside (N.J.)
Jefferson 3: Saint Ignatius (Ohio) vs. Westminster Academy (Fl.)
PYB 1: Maumee Valley (Ohio) vs. Miramar (Fl.)
PYB 2: Cedar Crest vs. Overbrook (N.J.)
PYB 3: Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. East Catholic (Conn.)
PYB 4: Imani Christian vs. Archbishop Wood
PYB 5: Coventry Christian vs. Conwell-Egan