City of Basketball Love

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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The second session of Philly Live 2024 has more than 220 high school teams playing over the course of three days, with hundreds of college coaches at all levels in town to watch. 

Here’s who stood out to the CoBL staff in Friday games at Philly Youth Basketball:

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2024 Philly Live Session II Standouts
Jefferson Day 1 | PYB Day 1 | Jefferson Day 2 | PYB Day 2 | Jefferson Day 3 | PYB Day 3 |

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Jayden Daisy (2025 | Andrews Osborne Academy, Ohio)
Daisy will spend his final season of prep basketball in Ohio after starring at Benilde-St. Margaret's (Minn.) for the last few seasons and against Archbishop Wood, he showed why he’s hoping his final act will lead to future success. The 6-4 combo guard routinely took the ball off the backboard and pushed it up the floor. He was even better off the ball, stepping into multiple 3-pointers and answering every flurry Archbishop Wood tried to throw at him and his teammates. He has a strong frame and used it to find his way into the paint, where he found bigs in Loïc Kalau and Tegra Makabu down low for easy opportunities. Defensively, he got up on the multitude of Vikings’ guards and made it difficult to penetrate.

Amir Drummond (2025 | Bensalem)
Drummond was simply masterful against Springbrook (Md.), accumulating 14 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals in impressive fashion. While Drummond may only stand 5-9, he has incredible vision to find teammates in their comfort zones. He’s also a lefty, which throws off the opposition, and when all of that comes together, he can slice up a defense without even putting the ball in the net. He also has a strong frame, which allows him to absorb contact and convert at the rim. His role will be much more expansive this season and he’s ready to take that on. 

Luca Foster (2026 | Archbishop Carroll)
Foster was as good as we’ve ever seen him in a game against Sidwell Friends. The 6-5 wing hit his first five shots from the floor, including four 3-pointers, to launch him to a 26-point game where he was 9-of-14 from the floor and 6-of-8 from 3-pointers, impressive numbers indeed against an opponent with a high-level perimeter group. Foster’s picture-perfect, quick release was on display as he was knocking down catch-and-shoot triples from all over, and also hit a pull-up one from the right wing; Foster’s improved handles were also on display in the half-court, and he used his length well defensively, coming up with three blocks. 

Jordan Garner (2025 | Springbrook, Md.)
Garner hit three shots from deep on the day and each one looked better than the next. The 6-3 guard drilled the first shot of the game on a smooth jumper from the wing then hit two more in the opening half. He is terrific in spot-up situations but an unique part of his game is that he also can be the primary screener and when he pops out on the wing and corner, he makes the defense pay with precision shooting. He finished the day with 14 points and six rebounds. 

Carnell Henderson (2025 | Imhotep Charter)
Henderson picked his first Division I offer last weekend and he’s continuing to build on that with performances like the one he had against Imani Christian where he couldn’t be kept off the glass or out of the lane. The 6-3 guard posted a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds as he regularly drove right by his defender and finished inside. He has sensational athleticism which allows him to succeed at rebounding for a guard and if there’s one aspect of Andre Noble-developed guards, it’s that they play extremely hard and like to mix it up in the paint, especially on rebounds. 

Jalyn Hopkins (2026 | West Philadelphia)
Adrian Burke likes to run his offense through the post, which means Hopkins dictates much of what the Speedboys do on a nightly basis. The 6-6 rangy forward gets the ball at its highest point off a miss then sprints to the rim where the array of West Philadelphia guards tend to find him for a layup or dunk. He’s slowly working his way out to the baseline and elbow but for now, he’s making quick work of lobs and quick dump-ins for easy finishes.

LeDarius “LD” Jones (2025 | Camden)
Jones put on an exhibition in motor in Camden’s matchup against perennial Ches-Mont competitor Coatesville. The 6-2 guard from Forney, Texas brings a high motor and level of intensity to a talented Panthers team. He displayed his defensive prowess in his relentless full-court defense kept Coatesville on their heels throughout the game. Jones showcased his sharp shooting, nailing a corner three to open the second half, letting everyone know that he was locked in. Combining his length and explosiveness, Jones created numerous fast-break opportunities. With 4:15 left, he executed a perfect pick pocket steal to ignite a fast-break play ending in a two handed dunk for David Munro, sealing Camden's impressive performance. Jones currently holds an offer from Manhattan College.

Kevair Kennedy (2025 | Father Judge)
Judge’s 6-1 lead guard was instrumental in the Judge victory over Sanford (Del.) this afternoon. Constantly penetrating the lane, Kennedy finished fearlessly among the trees, including an impressive and-one against y-8 Jayden Taylor, who had been blocking shots all day long. Displaying his high motor and demonstrating a high level of execution as the pace quickened, the PCL guard played much bigger than his size, attacking the boards and switching defensively from positions ‘1’ through ‘4.’ Kennedy cleaned the glass like a skilled big but was able to quickly turn those rebounds into transition opportunities. Kennedy's relentless energy was highlighted by a transition dunk off a steal, showcasing his athleticism and defensive instincts.He truly served as the motor for the Father Judge team, driving them to a well-earned win with 15 points, plus 10 rebounds and five assists..

Roman Kulesa (2025 | Central Bucks West)
Starting the day off on a high note, the 6-2 shooter found the bottom of the net four times against Mount Pleasant (Del.). Kulesa punished the defense for not knowing where he was at all times. Even when they frantically closed out on him after he caught the ball, he just found his spots at the second level. He didn't give them a break when he was on defense either. From West's 2-3 zone, Kulesa instinctively came up with 3 steals. In the end, he scored 26 of his team's 46 points and got his team the dub. 

Acaden Lewis (2025 | Sidwell Friends, D.C.)
Lewis came into Philly as one of the top 70 players in the country according to ESPN, and it was clear to see why. With a healthy helping of SEC, ACC, Big Ten and Big East coaches in attendance, Lewis poured in 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting, his only bugaboo coming from the foul line (1-4 FTs). The 6-3 lefty is a powerful athlete who can get downhill in a hurry thanks to a great first step, and he showcased all sorts of great playmaking around the bucket, whether that was getting his shot off around crashing defenders or finding an open teammate on the perimeter. In addition to his scoring, Lewis added four assists, three rebounds and two steals.

Christian Matos (2026 | Archbishop Carroll)
Just like Foster, Matos was at his best against Sidwell Friends, the Carroll newcomer looking plenty comfortable in a high-level contest as he adjusts to his new surroundings. The 6-2 left-hander impressed with his shooting, as usual, knocking down three 3-pointers — including one of the four-point variety — as he got to 14 points against Sidwell. But he also impressed with his ball-handling and defense; with Carroll point guard Ian Williams out for the summer, it was Matos who paced the team with seven assists, getting into the lane and finding Foster for several shots but also making a couple good passes to cutters or hitting whoever the open man was when a double-team came.

Jaidyn Moffitt (2025 | Bensalem)
Moffitt is a former offensive lineman who moves as well as any player out on the floor. The 6-2 forward is a big body and his movements are fluid, which allows to sprint by longer post players, and his strong frame gives him leverage in sealing them off for layups and rebounds. He tallied 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting and five rebounds and hit the first shot of the game for the Owls on a three from the top of the key. His surprising speed catches defenders off guard and once he blows by them, they don’t usually catch up. He was the Owls best inside threat a year ago and will be once again this season.

David Munro (2025 | Camden)
Camden's 6-8 big made his presence felt in today's game, showing why his transfer from Bergen Catholic has everyone talking. Moving with the grace of a forceful wing, Munro displayed his impressive ability to put the ball on the floor and create opportunities for himself at the rim or his teammates when the Coatesville defenders rotated.His strength was showcased with a catch-and-finish at the rim, even with defenders hanging on him. Munro’s agility was evident in transition, as he finished on the rim consistently, most impressive was to conclude a fast break with a one-handed slam off a three-on-one assist from teammate LD Jones. Also impressive is his educated footwork; Munro maneuvered through the defense continuously getting to where he wanted to in the paint.. 

Isaiah Morrison (2026 | Linden, N.J.)
Mike Rice will need someone to lean on in his first year back as a head coach and Morrison looks to be one of those trustworthy few. The 5-9 point guard hit several floaters in the lane against West Philadelphia and found ways to break the Speedboys press, even when things seemed dire with increased trapping. He’s calm with the ball in his hands and patient when things aren’t unfolding in a press break or halfcourt set. As Rice finds his way, so will Linden and Morrison should be integral to bringing it altogether.

Derrick Morton-Rivera (2026 | Father Judge)
Morton-Rivera put on a shooting clinic today. Coaches looking to see a sharpshooter got exactly what they wanted as Morton-Rivera sank four three-pointers by halftime and finished with five on the day, contributing to his total of 20 points. Morton-Rivera also showcased his mid-level scoring ability with a pull up floater in transition, demonstrating his versatility on the court. His touch was impeccable and he proved to be a marksman from behind the arc. Already holding an offer from Bryant University, Morton-Rivera's performance against Sanford earned him an additional offer from Temple University.

Zaahir Muhammad-Gray (2026 | Imhotep Charter)
Muhammad-Gray burst onto the scene playing alongside Ahmad Nowell (UConn) this season and now he’s one of the Panthers leaders. Friday was one of the first opportunities the 6-7 wing had to showcase what the next two years will look like with him as a focal part of the offense as he finished 7-for-12 for 18 points and five rebounds. He started his day off with a three from straightaway then found seams in Imani Christian’s 1-3-1 press to dive down the lane, take a quick catch and turn it into a quick two as Imhotep rolled to a 73-52 win. Much like Nowell, he turns a defensive rebound into an opportunity to push the pace and set up the offense.

Shane O'Hara-Jamison (2025 | Central Bucks East)
Their high-spirited matchup against Seaford (Del.) went into overtime, but the Patriots didn't surrender thanks to a cool-headed performance from O'Hara-Jamison. As their 6-1 lead guard, he got the defense into rotation off-the-bounce, then proceeded to move without the ball. That set him up to knock down three first-half triples. His opponents wised up quickly and face-guarded him for the rest of the game. He still managed to hit another three, but Seaford’s focus on him opened up opportunities for his teammates. But when the extra period came, O'Hara-Jamison took back control of the game. He blocked a shot and hit four clutch free throws (6-6 overall) to secure the win, finishing with 22 points. 

Tate Perkins (2026 | Lower Merion)
Perkins had a huge first half and hit a massively important shot late as the Aces downed District XI contender Liberty in overtime Friday evening. The 6-foot-1 wing fits that classic Lower Merion mold of a player with good court sense who plays within their limits and can knockdown shots. It was Perkins' shooting that helped LM weather a slow start, the junior pouring in 19 first-half points, including four 3’s, before the scoring evened out after halftime. Although Perkins didn't get as many looks in the second stanza, he made the big one with a three that gave the Aces a 54-52 lead before Liberty forced a few extra minutes. He also had an assist, a block, a steal and a rebound.

Rowan Phillips (2028 | Archbishop Wood)
Phillips appears primed to be the next impact freshman to don the Vikings uniform, joining the likes of Rahsool Diggins, Daeshon Shepherd and Tyree Pickron before him. The 6-4 guard plays with tremendous poise for someone who has not logged a minute of official high school varsity action and he has such tenacity when attacking the rim. He is someone John Mosco will rely on in his inaugural season and playing with experienced players like Milan Dean, Deuce Maxey and Mike Green will help him mold into the prototypical Archbishop Wood guard quickly.

Jake Puksyn (2026 | Liberty)
Puksyn's court vision is special but the rising junior doesn't only see teammates, he puts the ball in the right spot. The 6-foot-2 point guard sliced up Lower Merion's defense in the first half Friday with five assists and he would have been close to doubling that total if a fe more shots had dropped after halftime. Puksyn, a football receiver too, showed plenty of toughness after rolling his ankle to start the second half then finding his way back to the floor to force overtime with a late layup off a crisp baseline cut. On top of the laser passing, Puksyn added nine points, five rebounds and solid defense.

Ian Smith (2028 | Imhotep Charter)
Assistant coach Kevin Stewart simply called him “freshman” but not in a negative way. He was watching in appreciation, and perhaps even amazement, as Smith attacked the gaps in Imani Christian’s press and made reads that players his age shouldn’t be able to make. The 5-10 guard was solid in the halfcourt, hitting a pair of 3-pointers and only missing one shot on his way to eight points. While his scoring total didn’t blow anyone away, his composure to make a skip pass or tenacity to get to the rim through contact bode well for the Panthers.

Nico Vacchiano (2026 | Wissahickon)
When Vacchiano rises on his jumper, few can elevate with him, even at six feet tall. The Trojans floor general would take one dribble from behind the arc then find enough space between himself and the defender in the lane to rise and hit from the elbow and wing. He releases his jumper at the height of his elevation and the ball fell through the hoop with regularity. Vacchiano saw the Allentown Central Catholic defense push up on him and that’s when he took his quick first step a step further and drove right by for a couple nice finishes.

Khabir Washington (2026 | West Philadelphia)
A technical foul assessed against Linden led Washington to be given a golden opportunity with two free throws and the 5-11 combo guard confidently sank both of them to give the Speedboys a one-point lead with 5.7 seconds remaining. A defensive stand highlighted by Washington’s ball pressure eventually secured a 54-52 victory. Washington is set for his second straight season as a starter and with the likes of Brandon Williams and Xavier Howard joining him in the backcourt, West Philadelphia should have another state tournament appearance in its sights.

Markus Williams (2025 | Imani Christian)
Like most opponents Imani Christian faces, Imhotep Charter keyed on multifaceted guards Nate Brazil and RJ Sledge, which allowed Williams to find open looks on the outside. The 6-3 guard showed off his impressive stroke from deep with three makes on the day and closed out an 11-point day in the way he started, with a trey from the wing. Imani Christian doesn’t have much in the way of size since Alier Maluk (Florida State) left after helping win the 2023 PIAA Class A title but what it lacks in height, it makes up for versatility on the perimeter in Brazil, Sledge and Williams. If Williams can maintain performances like this into the regular season, it gives the program a much needed lift in its pursuit of a third straight state crown.

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Honorable Mention

Kendall Bratten (2025 | Phil-Mont Christian Academy), Nate Brazil (2025 | Imani Christian), Larry Brown (2026 | Coatesville), Jehki Burnam (2026 | Linden, N.J.), Jahmir Chatman (2025 | Bensalem), Jalyn Collingwood (2026 | Sidwell Friends, D.C.), Ian Condon (2027 | Sidwell Friends, D.C.), Devin Desruisseau (2025 | Springbrook, Md.), Vince Evans III (2026 | Seaford, Del.), Amon Fowlkes (2025 | Coatesville), Mike Green (2025 | Archbishop Wood), Zion Green (2027 | Imhotep Charter), Lamont Grier (2025 | Lower Merion), Talasi Henderson (2025 | Imhotep), Manny Joe-Samuel (2025 | Camden, N.J.), Loïc Kalau (2026 | Andrews Osborne Academy, Ohio), Carson Kasmer (2025 | Lower Merion), Christian Lee (2025 | Bensalem), Jakub Malecki (2026 | Gill St. Bernard’s, N.J.), Deuce Maxey (2025 | Archbishop Wood), Max Mililio (2026 | Central Bucks West), Anthony Molnar (2025 | Central Bucks East), Lucas Mushrush (2025 | Allentown Central Catholic), Milak Myatt (2026 | Cardinal O’Hara), Jalen Rougier-Roane (2025 | Sidwell Friends, D.C.), RJ Sledge (2025 | Imani Christian), Jordan Smith (2025 | Seaford , Del.) RJ Smith Jr. (2026 | Imhotep Charter), Cyril Stewart (2025 | Mount Pleasant, Del.), Jayden Taylor (2025 | Sanford School, Del.), Justin Townsend (2026 | Springbrook, Md.), Jaylen Washington (2026 | Rancocas Valley), Brandon Williams (2025 | West Philadelphia)