City of Basketball Love

By Josh Verlin (@jmverlin)
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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 we’re excited to check out throughout Day Two, though by no means an exhaustive list of all the quality games; Saturday’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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Salesianum (Del.) vs. Richmond Heights (Ohio)
10:10 AM, PYB Ct. 4

The state runner-ups in Delaware in 2024, Salesianum graduates a senior class that formed the core of its roster for four years in Justin Hinds, Isaiah Hyson, Kareem Thomas and Co. Returning for head coach Taylor Trevisian is do-everything 2025 wing Robbie Johnson, an undersized 6-5 forward and Rutgers football commit, while 2026 wing Dominic Downs (6-4) and 2026 forward Mark Brown are both going to take big strides. Richmond Heights, one of the top teams in the Buckeye State, just won its third straight state title, and features a trio of 2025s who play for the All Ohio Red on the EYBL: point guard De’Erick Barber Jr. and combo guards Dorian Jones (a four-star guard with a high-major stocked top 10) and DeMarris Winters, giving them one of the best backcourts in the whole event.

West Catholic vs. Rutgers Prep (N.J.)
12:30 PM, Jefferson Ct. 3

The Burrs are young but with some serious upside, and they’re hoping to show some growth on the courts at Jefferson on Saturday. Kingston Wheatley, a 6-6 2026, has taken big strides the last few months as he really starts to fulfill his potential; 2027 guards Jayvon Byrd and Xavier Fauntroy lead the backcourt, joined by newcomer Eric Scott. Rutgers Prep has its own high-level 2027s in 6-6 wing Andrew Kretkowski and 6-2 guard Jacob Canton, both of whom impressed in this event last year, with 6-11 2026 Logan Franz and stock-rising 2025 wing Myles Parker (6-6) bringing additional coaches to the sidelines. 

Imhotep Charter vs. Westminster Academy (Fl.)
12:30 PM, PYB Ct. 3

There might not be any more eyes on any single game this weekend than this one right here. Imhotep’s always a draw, Andre Noble’s program now a national brand and one of the centerpieces of the city’s hoops scene, playing an ultra-aggressive yet ultra-refined brand of basketball. A pair of 2026 wings, Zaahir Muhammad-Gray (6-6) and Latief Lorenzano-White (6-4) and their point guard classmate RJ Smith (5-8) are all future D-I talents, though 2027 wing forward Zion Green (6-8) might have the highest ceiling of them all. Westminster Academy boasts top-10 2026 wing forward Alex Constanza, a powerhouse two-way threat, along with Florida commit Alexander Lloyd (6-3) and Florida State commit DJ Wimbley Jr. (6-6), so they’ll be ready. Going to be a great one. 

Richmond Heights (Ohio) vs. Camden High (N.J.)
1:40 PM, PYB Ct. 4

Yes, Richmond Heights gets another mention — I tried to include a variety of teams in this preview, though quite a few of the ones mentioned play two worthy matchups — but this one’s just a too-tasty backcourt matchup in what’s overall a quality 1:40pm slate. Camden’s on-court intensity is singular in South Jersey, though it’s entering a new era after Billy Richmond (Arkansas) graduated. Neumann-Goretti transfer and 2026 point guard Torrey Brooks, a talented 5-9 lefty with a couple Division I offers, joins a strong group of 2025s including wings Manny Joe-Samuel (6-3), Ledarius Jones (6-3) and forward David Munro (6-7), all of whom play with the NJ Scholars on the EYBL circuit. 

Bergen Catholic (N.J.) vs. Archbishop Wood
4:00 PM, PYB Ct. 4

The late afternoon at Philly Youth Basketball is just one high-level matchup after another. Bergen Catholic’s loaded group takes on another one of the hosts in Archbishop Wood, with plenty of bragging rights on the line here. Billy Armstrong’s group from Jersey features a mix of talent throughout the classes, like 2026 forward Julius Avent, 2025 sharpshooting wing Declan Wucherpfenning, 6-7 2026 AJ Williams and more, with a bench that makes his squad as deep as any in the event. Wood, which is entering its post-Jalil Bethea and Josh Reed world, features 2025s Milan ‘Mir’ Dean Jr., Mike Green and Deuce Maxey while 2027s Buddy Denard and Jaydn Jenkins plus 2026 Brady MacAdams need to be ready to make significant contributions for them to hang in a game like this.

St. Rose (N.J.) vs. Imhotep Charter
5:10 PM, PYB Ct. 3

This was one of the best games of the 2023 Philly Live, and that should be the case yet again, though St. Rose is making its first public appearance without the graduated Matthew Hodge (Villanova). His younger brother, 2026 Jayden Hodge (6-6) is back for his third Philly Live, leading a group that also includes 2025s Brian Ebeling and Evan Romano as sharpshooting wings plus a burgeoning 2027 guard in Avery Lynch, head coach (and ‘Nova alum) Brian Lynch’s nephew. Since we didn’t mention them earlier, Imhotep’s 2025 Carnell Henderson and 2027 Kevin Benson III have opportunities to grow in the offense with Ahmad Nowell (UConn), Ma’Kye Taylor (Albany) and the rest of the 2024 class out of the way.

Devon Prep vs. Bishop Guilfoyle
6:20 PM, Jefferson Ct. 2

Devon Prep’s experienced and versatile this year, led by a super group of 2025s: wings Reece Craft (6-6) and Zane Conlon (6-5) plus guards Shane Doyle (6-3), Calvin Smith (6-2) and Mason Thear (5-10) all know head coach Jason Fisher’s system inside and out. The defending PIAA Class 3A champs will take on another 3A squad in Guilfoyle, which won 24 games but lost in the second round of states. Guilfoyle, which is coming out of Altoona, features a quality senior class of its own led by 6-8 senior Trevor Rehm and 6-4 wing Jude Haigh, a Division I recruit who’s got a chance to finish his career with more than 2,000 points. 

Archbishop Carroll vs. St. Benedict’s (N.J.)
6:20 PM, Jefferson Ct. 3

Carroll’s still young, but Francis Bowe’s 2026-led core is entering its upperclassman years: Luca Foster (6-6), Drew Corrao (6-9), and Nasir Ralls (5-10) are joined by Methacton transfer Christian Matos (6-1), though they’re without an injured Ian Williams (5-11), the table-setter for the whole group. And of course, 2027 6-5 wing Munir Greig, who’s got the highest ceiling on the team and is coming off a strong close to his freshman year. St. Benedict’s, one of Jersey’s powerhouses for a long time running, features 2026 wing Chidi Nwigwe, a 6-6 rising junior who’s one of the top 20 prospects in his class, as well as 6-7 2025 forward Khalid Ousmane and 2025 guard Casper Pohto, a Swedish guard and deep shooting threat.

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Saturday, June 22
9:00 AM
Jefferson 1: Mastery Pickett vs. Upper Darby
Jefferson 2: Sterling (N.J.) vs. Springfield (Delco.)
Jefferson 3: Mendham (N.J.) vs. Methacton
Jefferson Aux.: Haddonfield Memorial (N.J.) vs. Penn Wood
PYB 1: Pope John Paul II vs. Conrad Science (Del.)
PYB 2: Maumee Valley (N.J.) vs. Hightstown (N.J.)
PYB 3: Atlantic Tech (N.J.) vs. Dobbins Tech
PYB 5: Central Bucks East vs. Phil-Mont Christian
PYB 6: Timber Creek (N.J.) vs. Exeter Twp. 

10:10 AM
Jefferson 1: Chantilly (Va.) vs. Holy Ghost Prep
Jefferson 2: Taylor Allderdice vs. West Philadelphia
Jefferson 3: Greater Johnson vs. Executive Education
Jefferson Aux.: Abraham Lincoln vs. Coventry Christian
PYB 1: Dover (Del.) vs. Upper Saint Clair
PYB 2: Haverford High vs. Bristol
PYB 3: East Catholic (Conn.) vs. Bonner-Prendergast
PYB 4: Salesianum (Del.) vs. Richmond Heights (Ohio)
PYB 5: Georgetown Day (D.C.) vs. Lindenwold High (N.J.)
PYB 6: Upper Dublin vs. Reading

11:20 AM
Jefferson 1: Constitution vs. Sterling (N.J.)
Jefferson 2: Akron Buchtel (Ohio) vs. Camden High (N.J.)
Jefferson 3: Imani Christian vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary (Ohio)
Jefferson Aux.: Chambersburg vs. Miramar (Fl.)
PYB 1: Appoquinimink (Del.) vs. Phil-Mont Christian
PYB 2: Pope John Paul II vs. Hightstown (N.J.)
PYB 3: Cheltenham vs. Conrad Science (Del.)
PYB 4: Exeter Twp. vs. Overbrook
PYB 5: Maumee Valley (N.J.) vs. Pope Francis (Mass.)
PYB 6: Atlantic Tech (N.J.) vs. Mastery North

12:30 PM
Jefferson 1: Bishop Eustace (N.J.) vs. William Penn
Jefferson 2: Lancaster Mennonite vs. Mendham (N.J.)
Jefferson 3: West Catholic vs. Rutgers Prep (N.J.)
Jefferson Aux.: Chantilly (Va.) vs. Executive Education
PYB 1: Immaculata (N.J.) vs. Atlantic City (N.J.)
PYB 2: Bristol vs. Dobbins Tech
PYB 3: Imhotep Charter vs. Westminster Academy (Fl.)
PYB 4: Archbishop Carroll vs. Saint Ignatius (Ohio)
PYB 5: Springfield (Delco.) vs. Wildwood Catholic (N.J.)
PYB 6: Central Bucks East vs. St. George’s (Del.)

1:40 PM
Jefferson 1: Akron Buchtel (Ohio) vs. La Salle HS
Jefferson 2: Archbishop Ryan vs. Trinity
Jefferson 3: Salesianum (Del.) vs. College Achieve (N.J.)
Jefferson Aux.: Upper Darby vs. Greater Johnstown
PYB 1: Appoquinimink (Del.) vs. North Penn
PYB 2: East Catholic (Conn.) vs. Sanford School (Del.)
PYB 3: Coatesville vs. Bergen Catholic (N.J.)
PYB 4: Richmond Heights (Ohio) vs. Camden High (N.J.)
PYB 5: Georgetown Day (D.C.) vs. Bethlehem Catholic
PYB 6: Bonner-Prendergast vs. Dover (Del.)

2:50 PM
Jefferson 1: Imani Christian vs. Union Catholic (N.J.)
Jefferson 2: Liberty vs. Miramar (Fl.)
Jefferson 3: West Catholic vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary (Ohio)
Jefferson Aux.: Strath Haven vs. Lindenwold (N.J.)
PYB 1: Atlantic City (N.J.) vs. Bensalem
PYB 2: Springbrook (Md.) vs. Haverford High
PYB 3: Chambersburg vs. Pope Francis (Mass.)
PYB 4: St. Rose (N.J.) vs. Westminster Academy (Fl.)
PYB 5: Fels vs. Reading
PYB 6: King’s Fork (Va.) vs. Devon Prep

4:00 PM
Jefferson 1: Lancaster Mennonite vs. Marple Newtown
Jefferson 2: North Mecklenburg (N.C.) vs. St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.)
Jefferson 3: Bishop Guilfoyle vs. College Achieve (N.J.)
Jefferson Aux.: Bishop Eustace (N.J.) vs. La Salle HS
PYB 1: Wildwood Catholic (N.J.) vs. Sankofa Freedom
PYB 2: Abington vs. Cherry Hill West (N.J.)
PYB 3: Chester Charter vs. Middle Twp. (N.J.)
PYB 4: Bergen Catholic (N.J.) vs. Archbishop Wood
PYB 5: Palumbo vs. Bethlehem Catholic
PYB 6: Central Bucks West vs. St. George’s (Del.)

5:10 PM
Jefferson 1: Archbishop Ryan vs. Spring-Ford
Jefferson 2: Camden Catholic (N.J.) vs. Neumann-Goretti
Jefferson 3: Trenton Catholic (N.J.) vs. Trinity
Jefferson Aux.: Martinsburg (W.Va.) vs. Pennsbury
PYB 1: Eastern (N.J.) vs. Fels
PYB 2: Christiana (Del.) vs. Immaculata (N.J.)
PYB 3: St. Rose (N.J.) vs. Imhotep Charter
PYB 4: Mechanicsburg vs. Pottsgrove
PYB 5: Chester vs. Hanover Area
PYB 6: Coatesville vs. King’s Fork (Va.)

6:20 PM
Jefferson 1: Liberty vs. Glasgow (Del.)
Jefferson 2: Devon Prep vs. Bishop Guilfoyle
Jefferson 3: Archbishop Carroll vs. St. Benedict’s (N.J.)
PYB 2: North Penn vs. Martinsburg (W.Va.)
PYB 3: Cherry Hill West (N.J.) vs. Bensalem
PYB 4: Eng. & Sciences vs. Springbrook (Md.)