NY 2021 Rankings: Newcomers Pt. 2

<p>Even though basketball in New York started late, that doesn’t mean we lack quality players to continuously put forth. Even as the pandemic threw everything it had at NY, the state was able to keep calm and carry on and continue some basketball at the grassroots or even scrimmage level. Today, we have players who have demonstrated their worth since last summer to make it you our NY 2021 rankings, part 2.</p> <p><strong>36. [player_tooltip player_id="1125660" first="Tariq" last="Eubanks"]</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1125660" first="Tariq" last="Eubanks"] was named Third Team All-State by Center Court for Class C, and he has still managed to improve from there, arguably becoming one of the best in Buffalo. Eubanks is a 5’11 guard who es exceptional at pushing the ball on the fastbreak, dazzling the defense with hard passes and quick dribble finishes to get the bucket. Together with [player_tooltip player_id="1045925" first="Massai" last="Graham"], also ranked very high in NY, Tapestry could be one of the top teams overall in NY.</p> <p><strong>64. [player_tooltip player_id="1125661" first="Vernon" last="Simmons"]</strong></p> <p>For most basketball players, the pandemic has been slow. However, Simmons probably just had the month of his life in January, where years of basketball hard work was finally rewarded with higher education. Simmons is a top shooting guard who can do just that-shoot, and create from just about anywhere on the offensive frontcourt. About a month ago, Simmons was offered, and subsequently committed, to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he figures to brig four more years of elite shooting.</p> <p><strong>17. [player_tooltip player_id="1132413" first="Jordan" last="Riley"]</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1132413" first="Jordan" last="Riley"] has done more than enough to get our attention. From Brentwood, NY, a place that isn’t known for its basketball optics, [player_tooltip player_id="1132413" first="Jordan" last="Riley"] has done the best he could in making himself a candidate for top NY player of the year. Riley has not been dominating to stand out on the state level, but he has shown that he can make his name on the national level as well. Riley is a three-star recruit who will be heading to D1 Georgetown where he will no doubt impress in the hungry D1 field.</p> <p><strong>56. [player_tooltip player_id="1125657" first="Jose" last="Cuello"]</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1125657" first="Jose" last="Cuello"] has been an all-around guard as he prepares to make the jump to the collegiate level. Cuello has a great defensive framework, a smooth outside shot, and a great playmaking eye. However, his best ability is getting to the rim. Cuello has a great first step which lets him have a good jump on defenders, where, from there his dribble and finish in contact can produce.</p> <p><strong>216. [player_tooltip player_id="1125656" first="Jacob" last="Daly"]</strong></p> <p>For [player_tooltip player_id="1125656" first="Jacob" last="Daly"], passing comes first. Daly himself considers himself to be a pass-first point guard, and he makes no mistake in showcasing it on the court. Daly doesn’t just pass to get rid of the ball, he passes to make the play for the team. Daly is more than comfortable in taking the risk and making the tight-window passes to a teammate. To compliment this, Daly can create his own shot or turn up the speed and drive to the rim.</p> <p><strong>79. [player_tooltip player_id="1125655" first="Cherif" last="Diarra"]</strong></p> <p>Even as the COVID pandemic ravaged NY, [player_tooltip player_id="1125655" first="Cherif" last="Diarra"] was still taking basketball W’s. Around May, Diarra received an offer from a respectable D1 program, Gardner-Webb. Looking at Diarra’s accomplishments on the court, it’s safe to say that it won’t be his last. Diarra can be an impactful big, grabbing boards and stuffing guards, while he can also be a guard himself, with a knockdown mid-range shot and shifty handles you expect most guards to have.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>