Manhattan’s Super Sixty-Four: #48-#41

In this third installment of Manhattan’s Super Sixty-Four, we continue to take a look at the top players in Manhattan in an effort to increase basketball exposure for Manhattan players. The players in this third installment aren’t at the top quite yet, but many are young with rare, valuable raw skills which, with time, can be used to transform them into a better player.

#48. Bayame Bah | Junior | Freshman Douglass Academy (Varsity)

In a league and a division where Bah is playing against literal giants, Bah has been able to hold his own on the court, and especially the paint. Bah is able to create space between the hoop and a player on defense, which he uses to grab the rebound. He does this on offense, leading him to create many second chance opportunities for his team.

#47. Kalen Grant | Sophomore | HS Fashion Industry (Varsity)

In only his sophomore season, Kalen Grant has become as the de facto scorer on the HS Fashion Industry team. Grant was able to take the ball and blow by defenders who were waiting for him on the defense, creating lanes for his whole team. Grant also has a reliable mid-range and three-point range jump shot at his disposal.

#46. Keisler Rondon Padilla | Sophomore | Bayard Rustin (JV)

Keisler Rondon Padilla surprised many when this season, he emerged as one of the top overall players in the whole city at the junior varsity level. Breaking down Rondon Padilla’s game, you can tell he has all the tools to succeed in varsity next season. He can score, in bunches, as well as run the offense and distribute the ball, and shoot both off the dribble and off a route.

 #45. Fransisco Hernandez | Sophomore | HS Health Professions (JV)

Fransisco Hernandez can make do with an occasional drive to the rim and a fastbreak, where if he attempts one it usually is successful. However, the area where Hernandez can make the most impact is outside the arc. Hernandez’s high release point and quick release allows him to have a smooth rotation as well as not allow any defenders to guard him. If there is one skill that translates well to the varsity level, it’s shooting, and Hernandez has just that.

#44. Valentino Bonaccio | Junior | HS of Art and Design (Varsity)

Valentino Bonaccio has done a little bit of everything for the HS of Art and Design, but his calling card is that when he does something, he does it well. Bonaccio can take the ball to the hole and make defenders miss, either missing him entirely or gifting him a loud slap on the arm. Bonaccio can run the offense, and be the prime playmaker on the floor, and Bonaccio can also shoot at an above-average rate, with make being the common verdict.

#43. Efrain Davila Jr. | Sophomore | Manhattan Center for Science and Math (Varsity)

Efrain Davila Jr. has been a good complementary piece for Manhattan Center this season. Davila hasn’t been the number one scorer on his team, although that is in the cards for next season. Instead, Davila was a terrific point guard, starting fastbreaks off of the other team’s misses and taking the ball to the interior to open up the floor for others. In addition to his playmakers, Davila has also been shooting well, which is a trait that is the poison pill for many guards.

#42. Gregory Brown | Sophomore | School of the Future (Varsity)

Gregory Brown has been another one of the do it all guards. Brown excels at penetrating the defense, both on press breaks to allow his offense to set up and on a standstill defense formation, where brown uses handles and speed changes to dazzle by defenders until he gets to close range. Brown also has a knack for initiating fastbreaks, which, as a general rule, always produce offense.

#41. Merlin Gogolin | Freshman | Hunter (Varsity)

In only his freshman year, Merlin Gogolin has already found a role that suits him in the Hunter offense, which is important as he figures to be a part of the team’s long-term plans. Gogolin has found a niche as a prototypical three and D player. Gogolin can space the floor from the outside, knocking down shots while allowing the guards to penetrate, while he has the speed and strength to guard virtually any position.