Philly Pride 2024 Nationals: Loaded & Ready to Roll
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[player_tooltip player_id="1123911" first="Ron" last="Brown III"] (C/O 2024) of Philly Pride. Photo: Liam Brennan (@leprechaunfilms) It appears that this spring / summer the grassroots basketball circuit will emerge from Covid-19 limitations and return to a normal schedule of events. In southeastern…
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Continue ReadingIt appears that this spring / summer the grassroots basketball circuit will emerge from Covid-19 limitations and return to a normal schedule of events. In southeastern Pennsylvania the Philly Pride program is looking forward to a return to normalcy. One of the premier programs in the region, Philly Pride is looking to build on the success of their 2021s and 2022s with a new crop of elite high school prospects.
The Philly Pride 2024 National team roster will feature some of the top current freshman in the Delaware Valley and will be led by Head Coach Brandon Williams. You may recall that Williams previously coached the Philly Pride 2021 team that captured the UAA circuit championship and was ranked as the No. 1 grassroots squad in the nation.
Philly Pride 2024 Nationals tipped of their spring/summer this past weekend with a run to the 15U championship game at the Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest (Manheim, PA).
Below is a preview of Philly Pride’s 2024 National team roster accompanied by some insights on each player from Head Coach Brandon Williams.
Ron Brown III Ron Brown III 5'11" | CG SCH Academy | 2024 State PA – 6’1” / Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy / Combo Guard: One of the top 2024’s in the area and a prospect who turned heads during summer/fall 2020, Brown tipped off his high school career with 13 points vs. Penn Charter (Phila., PA) and posted a season high 17 vs. a Malvern Prep (PA) squad that played tremendous defense. Brown owns a scorer’s mentality and can get buckets at all three levels. Still, as opponents began to key on him during Inter-Ac league play, he was able to show good court vision and playmaking ability. As a freshman he posted a stat line of 10 ppg. and 3.5 rpg.
Coach Williams says: Gifted scoring guard with a knack for putting the ball in the hole and shoots it effortlessly. A 3 level scorer, with a great frame and the ability to use it effectively, whether it’s creating space on the perimeter for his jumper, or below the foul line to convert in close.
Ty Burton – 5’10” / Lampeter-Strasburg / Point Guard: A high energy floor general who excels in transition, this winter Burton averaged 20.5 ppg. for Lampeter-Strasburg. In the half-court he can splash home jumpers and beat defenders off the dribble. Burton scored at all three levels when he hung a season high 30-points on Manheim Central (PA). When doubled (which happens frequently), he can distribute the ball to an open teammate. After his banner freshman campaign, Burton was selected 1st Team All-Lancaster-Lebanon League and was honored with Lampeter-Strasburg’s team MVP award. It marked the first time in program history that a freshman has won that award.
Coach Williams says: Savvy, crafty, relentless. Quick off the bounce, elite jump shooter and very creative around the rim. Can control the game in a variety of ways, as he has a high basketball IQ which allows him to be a distributor and facilitator, but at the same time, can go for 30 in a heartbeat.
Amari Dow – 6’2’’/ Cristo Rey Philadelphia / Combo Guard: A lefty with extreme versatility, Dow was the only freshman to see minutes for a Cristo Rey varsity squad that went 10-1 this winter. He brings a physical presence and next level energy that is a welcome addition to any backcourt. At Cristo Rey he often came into games and out rebounded bigger opponents (3 rpg.). His physicality and active nature around the rim allowed Dow to grab offensive rebounds and convert those second chance opportunities. From a scoring standpoint he has a natural ability to get to the rim and finish. As a bonus, Dow owns a smooth mid-range game and is excellent at filling the lanes on the fast break.
Coach Williams says: Does a little bit of everything. Loves to play physical and rebounds very well for a guard. Can knock down the open jumper. He is a strong finisher around the rim and plays extremely hard.
Matt Gilhool – 6’9’’/ Elizabethtown / Center: This past season Gilhool was a varsity starter for Elizabethtown and opponents in the Lebanon-Lancaster League (PA) quickly learned that Gihool will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. This athletic and long prospect is an elite level rim protector who posted 6 blocks in a single game this winter. At the offensive end Gilhool can score in the paint with both hands and can stretch the floor with jumper as well. Additionally, he can rise up and flush on an opponent off the bounce or via the alley-oop. Gilhool recorded a career-high 12 points and 10 rebounds vs Cedar Crest (PA).
Coach Williams says: A big kid, with bigtime ability. Runs the floor extremely well and is very coordinated when catching on the move and avoiding defenders in transition. Finishes around the rim with both hands. Can stretch the floor to the 3 and is very active on the glass and contesting shots.
Nelson Lamizana Nelson Lamizana 6'9" | PF West Chester Henderson | 2024 State PA – 6’6” / West Chester-Henderson / Forward: Lamazina is young and his offensive skills (especially his footwork) are raw, but there is a ton of upside here. The freshman is long, athletic as hell and can run the floor. This combination enables him to blocks shots, compete in the paint and clean the glass at a high level. He does a nice job executing clean outlet passes that trigger fast break points. This winter Laminzana exhibited a much improved shooting stroke which allowed him to be a threat in the mid-range.
Coach Williams says: Still coming back from injury but will make his presence known quickly once he’s back. Extremely skilled, gifted athlete, who handles it, shoots it and loves to battle in the lane. Great rebounder and interior defender. Not many things he can’t do on a basketball floor, with bigtime size.
Isaac Moore Isaac Moore 6'7" | PF Life Center Academy | 2025 State NJ – 6’5’’ / Friends Central / Forward: Moore’s skill set has taken significant strides in the last year. Once a solid player who simply relied on his physical advantages to take over games, this winter Moore showed a more polished offensive skill set. Moore has great instincts for the game, displays excellent composure under pressure and solid foot work for a 15 year old big fella. He is a great passer and his jump shot showed significant improvement during the Covid shortened season. When he improves his ball handling Moore is going to be a true inside-outside threat. Friends Central Head Coach Jason Polykoff likens his style-of-play to Kyle Anderson. Polykoff anticipates that Moore will start next season and have a significant role on the team.
Coach Williams says: Improving at the speed of light, with an extremely versatile skill set and great size. Can finish inside and outside, with a really good jumper. Athleticism is starting to show itself more and more as well. Another late bloomer who just started focusing on basketball as he’s always been a standout baseball player.
Fazl Oshodi – 6’2’’/ Friends Central / Combo Guard: This former Roman Catholic varsity player has transferred to Friends Central and will reclass into 2024s. The Phoenix are getting a consistent perimeter shot maker who can also kill opponents with his speed and quickness in transition. When he gets out on the fast break, Oshodi is an absolute blur. As this past high school season moved along, Oshodi’s jump shot showed significant improvement. Lastly, Oshodi exudes a tough, aggressive vibe that standouts at the defensive end.
Coach Williams says: Very fast with the ball in hands and changes end extremely quick. Consistent jumper that allows to attack close outs in the half court. Defensively he has the ability to best on ball defender in the region.
Reggie Selden, Jr. – 6’2’’/ Bishop Eustace / Combo Guard: A starter for Bishop Eustace’s (NJ) varsity team, Selden is one of the top freshman guard prospects in South Jersey because of his ball-on-a-string handles. Selden’s elite dribbling skills enable him to push the rock on the fast break at a level that very few other guards in the Delaware Valley can match. In the half-court, those handles also allow Selden to penetrate the paint to score the ball or kick out to an open shooter. Selden recorded a season-high 19 points vs Chery Hill West (NJ) and posted 11 points against Lenape (NJ) as well as 11 points vs. Camden Catholic (NJ).
Coach Williams says: Has a fantastic command of the ball, and is very good at changing speeds. Gets downhill at will and when his jumper is falling, he’s impossible to stop. High basketball IQ. Has a great frame and very good body control, which allows him to finish at the rim at a high level.
Jeremiah White – 6’6’’/ Imhotep / Forward: A frequent starter for the 2020-21 Philadelphia Public League Champs, this athletic freshman has a very bright future ahead of him. White has a long wing span, quick second jump and great basketball instincts. That trifecta makes him an intimidating shot blocker and a beast on the glass. White also has the skills, coordination and athleticism to score the rock in traffic. He won’t hesitate to finish over a defender with authority.
Coach Williams says: A big time athlete with a big time motor. Elite rebounder. Great set of hands which allows him to catch the rock in close or on the move.
Ryan Williams Ryan Williams 6'3" | SG Malvern Prep | 2024 State PA – 6’1’’ / Malvern Prep / Point Guard: Williams is an exceptional floor general who received minutes for Malvern’s varsity team this winter. If you have seen him at Malvern then you know Williams is a super quick guard with circus handles. That combination means Williams can get into the paint for a floater or all the way to the tin for a bucket whenever he wants. He can also shoot the J from any spot on the floor and displays excellent court vision. Basically, Williams is a nearly complete guard and thus a real problem for opposing defenses.
Coach Williams says: Extremely skilled scorer, with a high ceiling. Scores it in a variety of ways and possesses one of the purest floaters that you’ll ever see. Shoots it with range and is really good at scoring it in transition. Another really good on ball defender, with great size at guard spot.