Staten Island Complete Rankings: #28-#22

The coronavirus shutdown has allowed us to focus more on what happened during the high school season, and also allows us to write more comprehensive coverage on more players. One area that doesn’t usually get much attention is Staten Island, the smallest borough on Staten Island. Don’t let its size fool you, as it still exports its fair share of college basketball players. Here is the second installment on Prep Hoops’s comprehensive Staten Island Rankings, ranking players 28-22 on our top 42 board.

28. Masiah Gilyard | Sophomore | Mckee/Staten Island Tech (Varsity)

The young guard from Mckee/Staten Island Tech, Gilyard has already carved out a role for himself on the varsity team as a sophomore. Gilyard is able to use his handles and speed to blow by and confuse defenders, while he is able to use his strength and patience to make athletic moves to the basket and draw contact and even score in contact. Gilyard is also able to command the offense and bring up the ball while serving as the number one playmaker.

27. Xavier Barrow | Freshman | Wagner (JV)

On Wagner’s junior varsity team, Xavier Barrow has been one of Staten Island’s best Junior Varsity players overall. Barrow has been his team’s number one option, and there is good reason in it. Barrow can both create his own space to shoot, while he can also play off-ball and catch and shoot. Barrow also can use handles and crafty takes to penetrate inside, while dumping the ball off to a teammate to an easy score.

26. Sean Franzreb | Sophomore | Staten Island Academy (Varisty)

Sean Franzreb had a great freshman season last year, becoming a premier scorer in his team in his debut season, dribbling around defenders and shooting from basically everywhere. Franzreb and the Staten Island basketball community was expecting a breakout season from Franzreb this year, but early into the season he tore his ACL. He is expected to make a full recovery, and is expected to be the forefront of the Staten Island Academy team.

25. Edin Draga | Sophomore | Moore Catholic (Varsity)

Edin Draga has been a great 3 and D player. Draga has the height and the vertical to be a rim protector, and hold his own against bigger centers, while also having the footwork to stay in front of smaller wings and guards. On offense, Draga can play on the outside as a catch and shooter, spreading the floor and sometimes taking it to the extreme as he can shoot from deep.

24. Thomas Keane | Sophomore | St. Peters (Varisty)

Thomas Keane has been a superb point guard in his sophomore season for the St. Peters varsity team. Keane is able to run the offense and facilitate the team as a ball-dominant guard, with the ability to speed to the basket and going from dribble to shot within a second. Keane is able to disrupt defenses with quick hands and feet, stepping in front of passes and making any defender who dares to shoot on him uncomfortable.

23. Aidan Vazquez | Junior | Petridies (Varsity)

Aidan Vazquez has been a rock for Petridies this season, becoming an elite scoring guard. All season, Vazquez has showcased his ability to be able to shoot the ball, both off a dribble and off a route to catch and shoot. Vazquez is also able to play point guard, reading the defense and finding his teammates in their best position to score.

22. Deandre Niles | Freshman | Petridies (JV)

Deandre Niles has been an absolute monster for the junior varsity Petridies squad, emerging as a double-double threat every night. Niles can both be a rim protector on his own end while making athletic moves to the basket on the other. Niles also has a virtually undefendable jump shot given his height and his form, giving him an ability to shoot from anywhere even with tight defense on him.