City of Basketball Love

By Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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The first session of Philly Live 2024 saw dozens of teams from around the Northeast (and beyond) kick off the June Scholastic Live Period in front of equally as many college coaches.

Here’s who stood out to the CoBL staff in games we watched at Jefferson University on Saturday: 

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2024 Philly Live Session I Standouts

Jefferson Day 1 | PYB Day 1 | Jefferson Day 2 | PYB Day 2 | Jefferson Day 3 | PBY Day 3 |

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Syaire Barnes (2026 | Spring-Ford)
A big question entering this offseason for the Rams is how they would replace three-year starter E.J. Campbell at the point guard spot. Barnes, a 5-11 guard, certainly looked like a capable candidate Saturday in a win over Archbishop Ryan. Barnes finished with 18 points and three assists. He’s got some speed and shiftiness that help him carve his way into the lane and some terrific ball skills and finishing ability that help him put the ball through the hoop once he gets there. There are definitely some natural passing skills there as well.

Demetrice Coates (2025 | Akron Buchtel, Ohio)
Coates is a 6-foot-2 guard who has some length. He was his team’s scoring leader with 18 points in a victory over La Salle. Coates floated to space beyond the 3-point arc and showed off impressive catch-and-shoot skills with three made triples. After a few made shots outside, Akron Buchtel spaced the floor for Coates and let him attack off the bounce. He showed off the ability to pull-up inside the arc and get all the way to the hoop if needed.

Keshawn Franklin (2027 | Archbishop Ryan)
Another eyeopener in the Spring-Ford vs. Ryan game was Franklin, a 6-foot-4 guard. Let’s start with the defense where the lengthy backcourt member tallied a pair of blocks, including a chasedown swat in transition. He also finished with 18 points starting his scoring with a three-point make but doing the rest of his damage inside the arc. He has some craftiness as a finisher and an overall ability to score the ball that came through naturally.

Kevin King (2025 | Mendham, N.J.)
The 6-foot guard is looking to build off an all-county/all-state season and looks well on his way after a terrific Saturday at Jefferson. It was a heckuva day for King who finished with 28 points in a win over Methacton before knocking down a buzzer beater during a 21-point outing to beat Lancaster Mennonite. He’s a terrific athlete who was also a 1,000-yard rusher on the football field.

Knekose Mack (2027 | Akron Buchtel, Ohio)
The young 6-6 wing showed off a lot of promise in a win over La Salle College HS on Saturday. He’s a lanky shooter with smooth form, who knocked down shots off the ball and as a pull-up shooter. Mack finished with two made threes and was aggressive getting to the basket, going 9-for-10 in his 17-point outing. He did a solid job of sliding and staying in front on defense, using length to block a pair of shots.

Grayson McKeogh (2026 | La Salle College HS)
The 6-foot-8 forward piled up an impressive statline of 20 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and a couple assists in a loss to Akron Buchtel on Saturday. He’s a solid force down low and an efficient scorer, throwing down a few two-handed slams. McKeogh carves out space as rebounder and is a tough presence to go up against inside. He really sees the floor well on the offensive end as highlighted by a few dimes he dished to cutters.

Andy Webb (2025 | William Penn, Del.)
Webb was ACTIVE in a comeback win over Bishop Eustace (N.J.) and his energy and effort were a big part of a 21-point outing to lead th way. Webb is lanky, bouncy 6-4 guard/wing who makes a two-way impact. He attacked the rim with the ball in his hands, which included a hanging finish through contact. Webb worked well off the ball too, sliding for easy looks and even cutting for an oop early on. A few blocks and steals showed off his well-rounded game.

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Honorable Mention
Alantay Dawson (2025 | Constitution), Franklin Gilbert (2026 | La Salle College HS), Khaleek Johnson (2025 | Constitution), Jacob Nguyen (2025 | Spring-Ford), Brandon Russell (2025 | Archbishop Ryan), Henry Ve (2026 | Bishop Eustace, N.J.)