Top talent highlights 2016 Slam Dunk
For some schmucks, the holiday season brings visions of iPhones and gift cards and tube socks, but I’ve asked Santa for something special this year: a ticket to the 2016 Slam Dunk To The Beach, set for Dec. 27-29 at Cape Henlopen High’s Big House. In terms of depth and sheer talent, this year’s Slam raises the bar yet again, as 20 teams from eight states and Canada take to the hardwood. The slate features five teams ranked in USA Today’s preseason top 25, seven other squads that finished last season among the top 300 nationally, and at least 65 future Division I players. Ho, ho, ho, here’s the lineup.
Archbishop Wood Vikings (Warminster, Pa.)
Coach: John Mosco
Last Year: 14-10, No. 774 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 21 state ranking (USA Today)
Top Players: 6-10 Jr. C Seth Pinkney (top 150 nationally; Massachusetts, Temple, St. Joseph’s), 6-3 Jr. G Tyree Pickron (Drexel, Stony Brook), 6-3 Jr. G Andrew Funk (Lafayette, others)
The Skinny: Pinkney has stated that his goal this season is “10 blocks [every game].” He’s a terror in the paint for this Philly Catholic League contender, while Pickron is an emerging talent who brings a high motor and drives to the bucket with abandon.
Baltimore Poly Engineers (Baltimore, Md.)
Coach: Sam Brand
Last Year: 20-4, No. 981 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 20 state ranking (USA Today), lost in 2nd round of MD 3A tourney
Top Players: 6-6 Sr. F De’Vondre Perry (top 250 nationally; committed to Temple), 6-6 Jr. F Demetrius Mims (top 200 nationally; VCU, St. John’s)
The Skinny: Perry is a well-rounded wing who put up 20 points and 12 boards per game last year. Mims slashes and scores at will.
Bishop Loughlin Lions (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Coach: Ed Gonzalez
Last Year: 21-8, No. 293 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 6 state ranking (USA Today), lost in finals of NY AA intersectional playoffs
Top Players: 6-5 Sr. G Keith Williams (top 200 nationally; committed to Cincinnati), 5-8 Jr. G Markquis Nowell (top 125 nationally; Georgetown, Seton Hall, VCU, Minnesota)
NBA Alumni: Mark Jackson
The Skinny: Williams is a human highlight reel in the open floor who’s developed an outside game, too. Nowell combines blinding speed and ball-handling that borders on the obscene. Don’t miss them.
Bishop McNamara Mustangs (Forestville, Md.)
Coach: Martin Keithline
Last Year: 17-13, No. 298 national ranking (USA Today), No. 6 state ranking (USA Today), lost in quarterfinals of MD private tourney
Top Players: 6-9 So. F Makhi Mitchell (No. 39 nationally; Georgetown, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech), 6-1 Sr. G Jamir Moultrie (top 225 nationally; committed to La Salle), 6-9 So. F Makhel Mitchell (No. 88 nationally; Georgetown, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech)
The Skinny: The Mitchell twins, with their smooth handles and sneaky-good shooting touches, could be the second coming of Markieff and Marcus Morris. Moultrie is a steady, heady lead guard who’s always in attack mode.
Cape Henlopen Vikings (Lewes, Del.)
Coach: Stephen Re
Last Year: 12-9, No. 7,111 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 17 state ranking (USA Today), lost in 1st round of DE tourney
Top Players: 6-5 Jr. F Randy Rickards, 6-6 Jr. F Ian Robertson, 6-2 Fr. G Cory Barnes (top 100 nationally)
The Skinny: The Vikings have hosted the tournament since its inception in 1990 and offer up one of their most dangerous squads this year. Barnes brings a motor that most seniors can’t match, while the athletic Rickards loves to crash the boards and Robertson can stroke it from deep.
Eleanor Roosevelt Raiders (Greenbelt, Md.)
Coach: Brendan O’Connell
Last Year: 24-3, No. 203 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 5 state ranking (USA Today), Maryland 4A state champions
Top Players: 6-6 Sr. F Naji Marshall (No. 68 nationally; committed to Xavier)
NBA Alumni: Delonte West
The Skinny: The Raiders won 24 of their final 25 games last season, including a 33-point drubbing of Meade for the state title. Marshall is a bull of a wing with a body that’s more than ready for the Big East.
No. 16 (USA Today) Gray Collegiate War Eagles (West Columbia, S.C.)
Coach: Dion Bethea
Last Year: 20-2, No. 701 national ranking (USA Today), No. 8 state ranking (USA Today)
Top Players: 6-2 Sr. G Jalek Felton (No. 34 nationally; committed to North Carolina), 6-6 So. F Juwan Gary (No. 28 nationally; Kansas, North Carolina, Connecticut), 6-1 So. G Tommy Bruner (top 125 nationally; Wyoming, East Carolina), 5-9 So. G Khalil Robinson (Charleston Southern, East Carolina)
The Skinny: Gray, in just its third year as a program, got a huge boost this summer when Felton transferred from Mullins High. The combo guard is the nephew of L.A. Clipper Raymond Felton and put up 55 points in a game last season. Gary’s freakish athleticism is sure to draw “oohs”and “ahs.”
Mount Pleasant Green Knights (Wilmington, Del.)
Coach: Lisa Sullivan
Last Year: 20-4, No. 948 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 2 state ranking (USA Today), lost in semifinals of DE tourney
Top Players: 6-5 So. F KVonn Cramer (top 150 nationally; Temple, others), 5-10 So. G Fahmir Ali, 6-4 Sr. G DeJon Backus, 5-10 Sr. G Keon Taylor
The Skinny: Cramer is a manchild who surged onto the national scene this summer. He posted 19 points and 9 boards in a Slam matchup with St. Elizabeth (Del.) last year, when he was just a freshman. The Green Knights are a disciplined, guard-heavy group who will compete with anyone. They got a boost this offseason, when Ali - one of the state’s top lead guards - transferred in from Salesianum.
No. 25 (USA Today) Neumann-Goretti Saints (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Coach: Carl Arrogate
Last Year: 27-4, No. 18 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 2 state ranking (USA Today), Pennsylvania 3A state champions
Top Players: 6-1 Sr. G Quade Green (No. 31 nationally; committed to Kentucky), 6-8 Sr. F Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree (No. 81 nationally; committed to Villanova), 6-9 Jr. F Marcus Littles (top 125 nationally; Penn St., St. Joseph’s), 6-6 Sr. F Emil Moody (Temple football commit)
The Skinny: One of high school hoops’most decorated programs, Neumann-Goretti has produced a long line of top-flight guards. The latest is Green, a blur with the ball who recently made waves by committing to Kentucky over longtime favorite Syracuse. Green made the All-Slam Dunk team two years ago. Littles and Cosby-Roundtree make this year’s Saints unusually bulky and tough underneath.
Our Savior New American Pioneers (Centereach, N.Y.)
Coach: Ron Stelzer
Last Year: 10-17, No. 6,204 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 213 state ranking (USA Today)
Top Players: 6-9 Jr. C Mamadou Doucoure (No. 63 nationally; St. John’s, Connecticut, Pittsburgh), 6-8 Jr. F Boubacar Diakite (top 125 nationally; committed to St. John’s), 6-5 So. F Hassan Drame (St. John’s, Florida St., Oregon), 6-5 So. F Fousseyni Drame (St. John’s, Florida St., Oregon)
NBA Alumni: Cheick Diallo
The Skinny: In 2014, the Pioneers and blue chip Cheick Diallo rocked Cape’s Big House to celebrate the Slam’s rebirth. After a rare down year last season, Steltzer has mined Our Savior’s African pipeline for top talent once again. Doucoure and Diakite protect the rim, while the young Drame twins shatter it.
No. 10 (USA Today) The Patrick School Celtics (Elizabeth, N.J.)
Coach: Chris Chavannes
Last Year: 23-6, No. 82 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 3 state ranking (USA Today), lost in semifinals of New Jersey Non-Public South B tournament
Top Players: 6-11 Sr. C Nick Richards (No. 15 nationally; committed to Kentucky), 5-9 Sr. G Jordan Walker (top 200 nationally; Seton Hall, Kansas St., VCU), 6-9 Sr. C Bul Ajang (top 250 nationally; committed to Tulane), 6-11 Sr. F Buay Koka (top 300 nationally; committed to Tulane), 6-2 Sr. G Jamir Harris (top 250 nationally; committed to Minnesota), 6-8 Jr. F Valdir Manuel (top 150 nationally; Temple, Wichita St.), 6-1 So. G Al-Amir Dawes (top 100 nationally; Minnesota, DePaul, Rutgers), 6-4 Sr. G Marcus McClary (committed to Monmouth)
NBA Alumni: Kyrie Irving, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Al Harrington, Samuel Dalembert
The Skinny: This is the most ballyhooed team in the tourney, and for good reason. What doesn’t Chavannes have at his disposal? He’s got at least eight Division I recruits on his roster, including four players who are 6-foot-8 or taller. Richards gets all the headlines with his length, athleticism, and skills on the block, but also watch out for Manuel’s defensive prowess and Harris’s sweet stroke from long range.
Paul VI Panthers (Fairfax, Va.)
Coach: Glenn Farello
Last Year: 20-14, No. 173 national ranking (USA Today), No. 6 state ranking (USA Today), lost in Virginia independent D1 state finals
Top Players: 6-6 Jr. G Brandon Slater (No. 88 nationally; Maryland, Louisville, Virginia), 6-1 Sr. G Aaron Thompson (top 175 nationally; committed to Pittsburgh), 6-6 Sr. F Myles Douglas (top 175 nationally; committed to Central Florida), 6-3 So. G Anthony Harris (No. 60 nationally; Virginia Tech, George Mason, Old Dominion), 6-2 Fr. G Jeremy Roach (top 10 nationally)
NBA Alumni: Erick Green
The Skinny: Arguably last year’s most impressive Slam Dunk entrants, the Panthers will look to drop jaws once again behind the play of slasher extraordinaire Slater, a long and bouncy lefty. Douglas averaged 12 points and four rebounds in last year’s tourney, making 6 of 7 shots in his team’s demolition of then-nationally ranked Neumann-Goretti.
Roselle Catholic Lions (Roselle, N.J.)
Coach: Dave Boff
Last Year: 22-8, No. 118 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 6 state ranking (USA Today), New Jersey Non-Public South B champions
Top Players: 6-10 Jr. F Nazreon Reid (No. 18 nationally; Kansas, Villanova, Louisville, Maryland), 6-9 Sr. F Andre Rafus (top 200 nationally; Kansas, Georgetown, N.C. State), 6-3 Sr. G Nate Pierre-Louis (top 150 nationally; committed to Temple), 6-6 So. F Kahlil Whitney (No. 52 nationally; St. John’s, Rutgers), 6-1 So. G Josh Pierre-Louis (No. 98 nationally; Seton Hall, Rutgers), 6-3 So. G Khalif Battle (top 125 nationally; Rutgers, Iona)
The Skinny: Reid has been the main attraction since the beginning of his sophomore year, and that won’t change now. He handles and passes like a guard and likes to put on a show, something that Slam Dunk fans will surely appreciate. Reid is in search of redemption after struggling mightily here last season. Boff has surrounded the big man with skilled perimeter players, most notably the crafty, high-scoring Nate Pierre-Louis and the floor-stretching, sweet-shooting Rafus.
Sagemont Lions (Weston, Fla.)
Coach: Adam Ross
Last Year: 21-8, No. 286 national ranking (USA Today), No. 11 state ranking (USA Today), lost in second round of FL 3A tourney
Top Players: 6-7 Sr. F Tyler Polley (top 175 nationally; committed to Connecticut), 6-5 Sr. G Luis Hurtado (top 350 nationally; committed to UAB), 6-6 Sr. F Tomas Verbinskis (top 350 nationally; committed to Richmond)
NBA Alumni: Fab Melo
The Skinny: Polley is the picture of versatility, as ESPN analysts see him as a “young Paul George.” He’s long, athletic, and features an advanced mid-range game. Verbinskis, meanwhile, played for Lithuania’s U-16 team, where he thrived thanks to his shooting touch. Hurtado is an oversized, pass-first point guard who uses his exceptional vision to get Polley and Co. great looks.
Sanford Warriors (Hockessin, Del.)
Coach: Stan Waterman
Last Year: 20-2, No. 190 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 1 state ranking (USA Today), DE state champions
Top Players: 6-5 Fr. F Jyare Davis (top 10 nationally), 6-3 Sr. F Connor Rufo, 6-2 Sr. F Marcus McCollum
The Skinny: The Warriors came within one defensive stop of the biggest upset in state history at last year’s Slam Dunk, taking national No. 2 La Lumiere (Ind.) to the brink before falling in overtime. Waterman always - always - gets the most out of his talent, and his teams time and time again rise to national-level competition. Davis, a skilled and bouncy wing, impressed at USA Basketball’s U-16 minicamp in October and has the potential to one day become Delaware’s first NBA product since Laron Profit.
Smyrna Eagles (Smyrna, Del.)
Coach: Andrew Mears
Last Year: 18-4, No. 2,466 national ranking (MaxPreps), No. 5 state ranking (USA Today), lost in quarterfinals of DE tourney
Top Players: 7-2 Jr. C Azubuike Nwankwo, 6-11 So. C Abba Lawal, 6-3 Jr. G Caleb Matthews, 6-5 So. F Jaymeir Garnett, 6-4 Sr. G Anthony Watson
The Skinny: After a summer of serendipitous transfers, Smyrna enters the season as a narrow state title favorite. Nwankwo (from Kentucky) and Lawal (an Ohio import) give the Eagles the biggest front line in Delaware history, while Matthews will make defenders pay dearly for leaving him open behind the arc and is also developing into a capable penetrator. The Eagles’bigs will be tested in their opening round matchup with Bishop McNamara and the 6-foot-9 Mitchell twins.
No. 17 (USA Today) St. Benedict’s Gray Bees (Newark, N.J.)
Coach: Mark Taylor
Last Year: 35-2, No. 24 national ranking (USA Today), No. 2 state ranking (USA Today), lost in quarterfinals of Dick’s Sporting Goods High School Nationals
Top Players: 6-7 So. F Precious Achiuwa (No. 13 nationally; St. John’s, VCU), 6-11 Sr. F Bourama Sidibe (No. 89 nationally; committed to Syracuse), 6-6 Sr. F Najja Hunter (top 300 nationally; Temple, Penn St., Seton Hall), 6-5 Jr. F Matthue Cotton (VCU, Oklahoma St., Rhode Island), 6-0 Sr. G Jayden Saddler (UNC-Greensboro, Temple), 6-4 Jr. F Ibn Loyal (Rutgers, others), 6-0 Fr. G Noah Farrakhan (top 100 nationally)
NBA Alumni: J.R. Smith, Lance Thomas, Tyler Ennis, Samardo Samuels
The Skinny: Taylor added Achiuwa, whom he already calls “a pro,” to the Gray Bees’ embarrassment of riches this summer. The uber-athletic wing is certain to posterize a few unlucky defenders at The Big House. Sidibe is blessed with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, blocks shots into the seats, and runs the floor, while the serendipitously-named Cotton has a soft stroke from deep. The Bees are true basketball royalty, as they end most seasons ranked well inside USA Today’s top 25 teams nationally, and the tradition of excellence continues with this deep, athletic group.
St. Michael’s Blue Leprechauns (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Coach: Jeff Zownir
Last Year: 20-9, ranked No. 6 in Canada by North Pole Hoops
Top Players: 6-8 Sr. F Danilo Djuricic (committed to Harvard), 6-3 Jr. G Sam Rautins, 6-2 Jr. G Kobey Ketavong Lam
NBA Alumni: Leo Rautins
The Skinny: Besides boasting maybe the best mascot in Slam Dunk history, St. Mike’s is also one of Canada’s most decorated basketball programs. Djuricic will can the open three or mix it up in the paint, while Rautins – the son of Syracuse legend and NBAer Leo Rautins – is a deadeye shooter.
St. Raymond Ravens (Bronx, N.Y.)
Coach: Jorge Lopez
Last Year: 16-12, No. 1,227 national ranking (USA Today), No. 42 state ranking (USA Today), lost in quarterfinals of New York AA intersectional playoffs
Top Players: 6-0 Sr. G Isaiah Washington (No. 61 nationally; committed to Minnesota), 6-3 Jr. G Omar Silverio (top 200 nationally; Saint Louis, VCU, Iona)
NBA Alumni: Julius Hodge, Allan Ray
The Skinny: Washington, a born playmaker in the mold of Mark Jackson, leads the charge for the Ravens. He averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 steals in two games at last year’s Slam. Silverio is one of the most accurate outside shooters in the field and forms a formidable backcourt duo with Washington.
No. 11 (USA Today) Westtown Moose (Westtown, Pa.)
Coach: Seth Berger
Last Year: 28-6, No. 102 national ranking (USA Today), No. 1 state ranking (MaxPreps), Pennsylvania independent division state champions
Top Players: 6-11 Sr. F Mohamed Bamba (No. 3 nationally; Duke, Kentucky, Connecticut, Syracuse), 6-8 Jr. F Cameron Reddish (No. 6 nationally; Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, Villanova), 6-6 Sr. G Brandon Randolph (No. 37 nationally; committed to Arizona), 6-8 Sr. F Anthony Ochefu (committed to Stony Brook)
NBA Alumni: Georgios Papagiannis
The Skinny: Westtown returns to the Slam Dunk for the third consecutive year, and they’re armed to the teeth with blue-chip talent. Bamba, a surefire NBA lottery pick, wowed the crowd last season with his 7-foot-8 wingspan, soft hands, and ferocious rim-rattlers, while Reddish has been on the national radar since middle school thanks to his Gervinesque game. Reddish has garnered all-tourney honors at each of the last two Slam Dunks. Randolph, meanwhile, has made a name for himself primarily as an outside shooter, but he can also finish with the best of them. The Moose captured the Pennsylvania independent schools state title last year, their first in school history.
*All team rankings provided by USA Today and MaxPreps unless otherwise noted. All player rankings provided by 247Sports.
