City of Basketball Love

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 Three, though by no means an exhaustive list of all the quality games; Sunday’s complete schedule can be found below:

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

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Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Union Catholic (N.J.)
10:10 AM, Jefferson Ct. 3

Sunday’s slate doesn’t have quite the heavy-hitter high end of Friday and Saturday, but there’s a ton of quality matchups like this one, two teams that have plenty of collegiate talent, led by a couple standout names to know. For P-W, that’s a pair of 2026s, forward Michael Pereira (6-9) and wing Mani Sajid (6-4), who’s ready to take the reins for head coach Jim Donofrio following the graduation of four-year starter Jaden Colzie and the rest of a deep ‘24 class. Union Catholic has feature for the last few years the frontcourt duo of 2025s Yaw Ansong (6-11) and FK Muntari (6-8), two versatile bigs who bring a lot of length on the defensive end, while 2025s AJ Altobelli and Luke Schorr were their leading scorers in a 22-win season this past year. 

Dover (Del.) vs. King’s Fork (Va.)
11:20 AM, Jefferson Ct. 2

The defending DIAA state champions for the first time in program history, Dover has unprecedented momentum and a big target on its back, not to mention an elevated profile at Philly Live. Leading the way this year for Stephen Wilson’s squad is 2026 wing Jayvion Denis, who’s next up for the Senators following the graduation of Dorrell Little, who scored 31 points in the state title game. King’s Fork, which has made it a habit of coming up to Philly every summer, has a couple high-quality guards in 2025 Adarius Boston (6-4) and 2026 Zyon McGlone (5-10), while 6-7 2025 Jeremiah Morris gives them some length and size inside.

Upper Dublin vs. Cumberland Valley
11:20 AM, PYB Ct. 1

The District 1 5A runner-ups, Upper Dublin’s got a good group returning from that squad, including its starting backcourt in 2026 point guard Kobe Bazemore (5-9) and 2025 wing Ryan Mulroy (6-3), while 2026 sharpshooter Noah Cohen and 2025 forward Idris Rines return as well. Cumberland Valley had a breakthrough season of its own, winning 23 games and the District 3 6A championship before running into Coatesville in the second round of the state playoffs. David Vespignani’s squad returns most of its lineup including 2025s Nolan Buzalka, Creston Austin and JJ Lebo, while the program’s brightest prospect is 2027 Aidan Diehl, a 6-5 wing guard with high-level shooting abilities. 

Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) vs. Father Judge
11:20 AM, PYB Ct. 4

It’s starting to feel like Father Judge’s time has arrived. After making a breakthrough to the Catholic League semifinals in February, Chris Roantree’s Crusaders boast a deep and talented group. It starts with 2025 guard Kevair Kennedy (6-1) and 2026 guard Derrick Morton-Rivera (6-2), with rapidly-improving 2025 post Everett Barnes Jr. (6-9) gives them a real presence inside; 2026s Max Moshinski and Rocco Westfield and 2027 guard Nazir Tyler are all tracking to be scholarship-level ballplayers as well. Don Bosco’s man in the middle is 2026 center Keiner Asprilla, the 7-footer picking up a recent offer from Villanova, while 2025 guards Brady Loughlin and Jordan Ghee are both experienced, scholarship-level scorers.

Neumann-Goretti vs. Camden Eastside (N.J.)
12:30 PM, Jefferson Ct. 3

The Saints come marching into this cross-river matchup without Khaafiq Myers (St. Joe’s) and, Amir Williams (Hofstra) on the court for the first time in four years, while Torrey Brooks transferred to Camden. That leaves 2025 Keon Long-Mtume (6-2) and 2026s Stephon Ashley-Wright (5-10) and Deshawn Yates (5-8) as the returning core from last year’s Catholic League semifinalists and state quarterfinalists. It’s going to be interesting to see what Camden Eastside looks like, as head coach Kenny Avent graduated most of his rotation, led by Jahaan Green and Jalen Long, which saw them get all the way to the South Jersey Group 3 semifinals. 

Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep
1:40 PM, PYB Ct. 4

Guarding the Don Bosco big man Asprilla is going to be a tall task for a St. Joe’s squad which is talented though lacking elite size to matchup in the post. The 2025 backcourt of Olin Chamberlain Jr. (5-9), Jordan Ellerbee (6-2) and Jaron McKie (6-3) are all four-year varsity players for head coach Jason Harrigan, who’s going to have the end of an era when that group graduates and moves on; McKie’s younger brothers, incoming freshmen Julian and Justin McKie, represent the future. This is also a big offseason for 6-4 2026 Will Lesovitz, and 6-4 2027 Myles Peterson could be in for a breakout sophomore season.

Camden (N.J.) vs. Father Judge
2:50 PM, PYB Ct. 4

The last big matchup of the weekend should have quite a few coaches sticking around to check it out. Don’t be surprised if this is an ‘arrival’ type weekend for Moshinski, a versatile 6-6 wing who’s finally getting his chance to shine, and it’s felt like Kevair Kennedy’s recruitment hasn’t taken off yet compared to the strength of his junior season (17 ppg, 7 apg, 7 rpg). Camden might not have a DJ Wagner or Billy Richmond anymore, both now at Arkansas, but N-G transfer Torrey Brooks is a quality addition to a senior class led by Manny Joe-Samuel, Ledarius Jones and David Munro.

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Sunday, June 23
9:00 AM
Jefferson 1: Georgetown Day vs. Abraham Lincoln
Jefferson 2: Penn Wood vs. Wilkes-Barre
Jefferson 3: Sanford School (Del.) vs. Muhlenberg
PYB 2: St. Elizabeth (Del.) vs. Cumberland Valley
PYB 3: Cherokee (N.J.) vs. Chester Charter Scholars Academy
PYB 4: Methacton vs. MOT Charter (Del.)
PYB 5: Upper Moreland vs. Cinnaminson (N.J.)

10:10 AM
Jefferson 1: Cedar Creek vs. SLA Beeber
Jefferson 2: Pope Francis (Mass.) vs. Neumann-Goretti
Jefferson 3: Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Union Catholic (N.J.)
Jefferson Aux.: Souderton vs. Smyrna (Del.)
PYB 1: Carver E&S vs. Susquehanna
PYB 2: Bishop Guilfoyle vs. Audenried Charter
PYB 3: Scranton Prep vs. Trenton Catholic (N.J.)
PYB 4: North Mecklenburg (N.C.) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep
PYB 5: Palumbo vs. Chichester
PYB 6: William Allen vs. West Windsor - Plainsboro North 

11:20 AM
Jefferson 1: Camden Catholic (N.J.) vs. William Penn
Jefferson 2: Dover (Del.) vs. King’s Fork (Va.)
Jefferson 3: Bishop McDevitt vs. Spring-Ford
Jefferson Aux.: Caravel Academy (Del.) vs. St Joe's-Hammonton (N.J.)
PYB 1: Upper Dublin vs. Cumberland Valley
PYB 2: Bishop Shanahan vs. Brandywine (Del.)
PYB 4: Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) vs. Father Judge
PYB 5: Delsea (N.J.) vs. Phoenixville
PYB 6: Upper Moreland vs. Holy Cross (N.J.)

12:30 PM
Jefferson 1: Piscataway (N.J.) vs. Smyrna (Del.)
Jefferson 2: Lincoln vs. Cedar Creek
Jefferson 3: Neumann-Goretti vs. Camden Eastside (N.J.)
Jefferson Aux.: Muhlenberg vs. Audenried Charter
PYB 1: Shamokin Area vs. BCIT (N.J.)
PYB 2: MOT Charter (Del.) vs. Cherokee (N.J.)
PYB 3: Woodbury (N.J.) vs. Wilson
PYB 5: Gloucester (N.J.) vs. William Tennent
PYB 6: William Allen vs. The Christian Academy

1:40 PM
Jefferson 1: St. Joe’s-Hammonton (N.J.) vs. Souderton
Jefferson 2: Garnet Valley vs. Rahway (N.J.)
Jefferson 3: Odessa (Del.) vs. Pennridge
Jefferson Aux.: Mechanicsburg vs. Sanford School (Del.)
PYB 1: Susquehanna Twp. vs. WWPN (N.J.)
PYB 2: Bishop Shanahan vs. Caravel Academy (Del.)
PYB 3: Scranton Prep vs. Union Catholic (N.J.)
PYB 4: Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep
PYB 5: Unionville vs. Wilkes-Barre
PYB 6: Holy Cross (N.J.) vs. Cinnaminson (N.J.)

2:50 PM
Jefferson 1: Piscataway (N.J.) vs. Conestoga
Jefferson 2: Spring-Ford vs. La Salle HS
Jefferson 3: Bishop McDevitt vs. Fels
PYB 2: Shamokin Area vs. Timber Creek (N.J.)
PYB 3: Freire Charter vs. Gloucester (N.J.)
PYB 4: Camden (N.J.) vs. Father Judge
PYB 5: Chichester vs. Delsea (N.J.)
PYB 6: The Christian Academy vs. Woodbury (N.J.)

4:00 PM
Jefferson 1: Odessa (Del.) vs. Pottsgrove
Jefferson 2: Downingtown West vs. Rahway (N.J.)
PYB 4: Wilson vs. Unionville
PYB 5: Conwell-Egan vs. SLA Beeber