Diamonds in the Ruff Top 40 Part 2 - Standouts

The Diamond in the Ruff Top 40 Upperclassmen showcase was held at the Next Level sports facility in Long Island. The event hosted some of the best prospects from the region while providing a much-needed platform for unsigned prospects with high upside and prospects of the future. [player_tooltip player_id="1045799" first="Aaron" last="Davis"], 6'5" SG St. Benedict's Prep '23, was one of the more consistent players of the night. He beat defenders off the dribble and proved to be an effective three-level scorer. He contributed on the defensive end as well as guarding multiple positions throughout the evening. [caption id="attachment_1094814" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG-3962.jpg?1607084671000"><img class="wp-image-1094814 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG-3962-300x197.jpg" alt="Aaron Talbert, The Knox School 2022" width="300" height="197" /></a> Aaron Talbert, The Knox School 2022[/caption] Aaron Talbert, 6'0" PG The Knox School '22, was one of the surprises of the night. He's very quick and strong with the ball. He definitively gets to his spots on the floor to become an immediate offensive threat. He excelled in pick and roll situations patiently navigating the floor to identify the best scoring opportunities. He's an underrated athlete with high-level scoring potential. Andre Snoody, 6'6" SF St. Thomas More '21, showcased his athleticism, size, and versatility throughout the night. He effectively finished around the paint but also showcased the ability to stretch the floor to the perimeter. [caption id="attachment_1094821" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG-3959.jpg?1607085423491"><img class="wp-image-1094821 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG-3959-300x197.jpg" alt="Chidi Obichere, The Patrick School 2021" width="300" height="197" /></a> Chidi Obichere, The Patrick School 2021[/caption] Chidi Obichere, 6'6" Wing The Patrick School '21, was the best overall athlete in the gym. His combination of length, athleticism, and explosiveness overwhelmed defenders most of the night. He finished with a number of powerful highlight-filled dunks. He also showcased a soft touch from the outside as well as the ability to get into the paint off the bounce. [player_tooltip player_id="1047768" first="Colby" last="Jordan"], 6'1" PG Half Hollow Hills West '21, has an underrated first step which assisted with his ability to get downhill and finish in the paint. He also showcased a nice touch on his pull up jumper. He was one of the best defenders in the gym. He was able to stay attached to ball handlers causing a good amount of turnovers. [caption id="attachment_1094815" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG-3951-rotated.jpg?1607084857535"><img class="wp-image-1094815 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG-3951-rotated-300x197.jpg" alt="Danny Carbuccia, Mott Hall 2025" width="300" height="197" /></a> Danny Carbuccia, Mott Hall 2025[/caption] Danny Carbuccia, 5'11" PG Mott Hall '25, the youngest prospect in the gym, had the highest ceiling. He played like a seasoned veteran with his ability to stay poised and consistently make the play. His outstanding feel and court vision were on display throughout the night. He truly excels as a facilitator and scorer. DeAndre Blagrove, 6'4" F Malverne HS '22, sent a few players home with new bruises. The football player is a physical rebounder who isn't afraid to mix it up in the paint. He doesn't shy away from contact. He uses his sturdy build to absorb and finish through contact. His goal was to play through defenders making him a tough matchup. He showed flashes of his outside shooting touch as well. Jayden Lemond, 6'4" PG Dwight Englewood '23, is a quick wiry guard with a multitude of skills. He continuously beat players off the dribble throughout the night and connected from the perimeter. He crashed the offensive glass from the perimeter, rebounding well from the guard position. James Morakis, 6'4" PG Salisbury School '22, is a pure point guard with size, court vision, and an overall feel for the game. He found his groove as the day went on and showed his ability to create bounce and get it done from outside. He's a stat sheet stuffer who scored 51 points in the game last season. Joshua Zangerle, 6'5" SG Stepinac '21, consistently knocked down perimeter jumpers throughout. He had one of the purest strokes in the gym. He defended very well showing his two-way potential. [caption id="attachment_1094819" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG-3956.jpg?1607085082298"><img class="wp-image-1094819 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG-3956-300x197.jpg" alt="Kasper Klaczek, Long Island Lutheran 2021" width="300" height="197" /></a> Kasper Klaczek, Long Island Lutheran 2021[/caption] Kasper Klaczek, 6'8" Wing Long Island Lutheran '21, had the best physical tools in the gym. He's a skilled player who plays extremely hard. He scarifies his overall game to do the dirty work on the court. He showed flashes of his ability to shoot from the perimeter and finish around at the rim. Kasper is the true definition of a high motor player who doesn't take a play off. [player_tooltip player_id="1045940" first="Khalil" last="London"], 6'3" PG St. Dominic HS '22, has good size at the guard position standing 6'3”-6'4”. He has a knack for making the right plays while being in complete control of the game. He's an attacking driver and strong ambidextrous finisher going downhill. He shot it well throughout the night and showcased his overall efficiency. [player_tooltip player_id="900293" first="Keith" last="Mency"], 6'2" PG Stepinac '21, continued his strong play at the point guard position. He was poised and controlled the floor maintaining balance. In an open run style of games, he was able to control tempo and serve as a facilitator while protecting the ball. He utilized his high basketball IQ and picked his spots as a scorer. [caption id="attachment_1094826" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG-3933-rotated.jpg?1607085661620"><img class="wp-image-1094826 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG-3933-rotated-300x197.jpg" alt="Quaran McPherson, Woodstock Academy 2021" width="300" height="197" /></a> Quaran McPherson, Woodstock Academy 2021[/caption] Quaran McPherson, 6'4" SG Woodstock Academy '21, had one of the best motors in the gym. He played extremely hard from start to finish. He shoots is well off the dribble and looked very comfortable in the midrange normally going to his pull-up jumper. He's a high-level slasher who attacks with disregard for anyone in front of him. He was able to draw a number of fouls throughout the night. [player_tooltip player_id="1045930" first="RJ" last="Greene"], 6'5" Wing Iona Prep '22, is a strong physical wing who can beat you in a variety of ways. He knocked down a number of shots from the catch and proved he isn't afraid to mix it up inside. He's proven throughout his career to be a tough matchup because of his underrated strength and overall ability. Sean Durugordon, 6'6" Wing John Adams '21, a Missouri commit, brings a physical presence getting it done inside with the capability of attacking defenders off the dribble. He showcased his shooting touch from midrange while stretching to the perimeter. He uses his 7ft wingspan and overall presence to crash the glass and contest at the rim. He was one of the few prospects with both defensive and offensive versatility. He's a complete package. [embed]https://twitter.com/NEScoutingBBall/status/1334731135583199235?s=20[/embed] Additional Prospects to Watch Clayton Ward, 6'4” SG, LuHi, 2022 CJ Riley, 5'10” PG, Wings Academy, 2022 Elijah Muhammad, 6'10” PF, Eagle Academy, 2021 Isiah Sween, 5'11” PG, Central Islip, 2021 Jackson McEachern, 6'2” PG, St, Mary's HS, 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1047852" first="Jaden" last="Kealey"], 6'5” Wing, Center Moriches HS Jonah Phang, 6'8” PF, Stepinac, 2021 Myles Goddard, 6'6” F, Amityville HS, 2021 Ryan Hudson, 6'2” PG, Holy Cross HS Xavier Riullano, 6'4” CG, Mount Vernon 2021