NYC PSAL: Standout Players from Bronx A East

New York City services over 500 high schools, so it’s very tough to review all the basketball talent in the city. However, the COVID 19 grassroots season shutdown has made it possible to review the high school talent more carefully. In this installment of Standout Players, we take a look at the best players from the Bronx A East Division.

O’Zhell Jackson | Stevenson

O’Zhell Jackson is able to use his height to do extraordinary things. Jackson(21ppg, 11.3rpg, 5.9apg) operates primarily in the paint, but he is able to have a big impact in there. Jackson uses his speed to get a fastbreak steal or be the lead man on a break, and then uses his height to dunk the ball, making it almost impossible for quality defense to be played on him.

Rashawn Clemente | Stevenson

Rashawn Clemente has become a pure scorer in the PSAL. Clemente (16.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 3.2apg). He has shown the ability to score from anywhere on the court, whether it be from the three, the elbows, or below the rim, which would usually lead to him at the line. Clemente’s size and athleticism lets him make power moves towards the basket and is virtually unstoppable. Clemente’s insane verticals make for some guaranteed buckets and vicious highlights.

Charlie Casillas Charlie Casillas 6'2" | SG Lehman Campus | 2020 State NY | Lehman

Charlie Casillas Charlie Casillas 6'2" | SG Lehman Campus | 2020 State NY has shown his true value in the passing game. Casillas(17.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.9apg)  seems like he has eyes on the back of his head is he is able to execute passes other point guards wouldn’t dream of making. Casillas combines his playmaking and basketball abilities with a deadly three-point dagger and an elite finishing ability and he was able to become one of the league’s best point guards.

Jahdale Givans | Evander Childs

When Jahdale Givans gets the ball, his mind immediately focuses to score. Givans(21.6ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.2apg) is able to score from a plethora of ways, from dazzling at the rim, to pulling up from deep, to setting up his teammates in point-blank range. Givans is of that rare breed of players who can secure the rebound on one end, and take it all 94 feet to the other. 

Aboubakreh Kebeh | Alfred E. Smith

Aboubakreh Kebeh is part of the growing trend of “3 and D” players. The junior guard/forward, Kebeh is able to use his speed and athleticism to make it hard for anyone to drive to the basket on him. In man coverage, he almost never loses sight of both the ball and the player. Kebeh(17.1ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.7apg) is able to use his height to make his shot impossible to block, while still scoring at an amazing clip.

Wilfredo Arias | Alfred E. Smith

Wilfredo Arias, like his teammate Aboubakreh, relies on the three-point shot to do his damage. Arias(12.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.7apg) is able to use his height to pull down boards, and rush to a corner spot to both space the floor and be a threat from the outside. Arias can also contract the floor, functioning as a quality rim runner and box stuffer.

Elijah Perez | Stevenson

Elijah Perez demonstrated good qualities everywhere on the court. From showing some superb shooting, to rebounding, to picking up the best player on defense, Perez has shown that he truly has it all. Perez has also shown up in the clutch, hitting a number of game-deciding shots, including a miraculous long-range buzzer-beater against Kipp.