Under the Radar 2022 Prospects in Philadelphia

Casey Traina (C/O 2022) from Germantown Academy.

Chad Graham September 11, 2021 @ 04:35 PM

After an abridged 2021 high school season and an adjusting grassroots landscape, plenty of players from Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley are flying under the radar. So we’re taking this time to shine light on a few guys who can without a doubt hoop at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id="1116036" first="Daniel" last="Alcantara"] | 6’4 W Reading + Team Final Red Known for his floor spacing, Alcantara’s fluid mechanics suggest he’ll be able to extend his range with ease. Even when his jumper isn’t falling, he makes smart linking plays to open teammates without having to dribble. The feel he shows as a connector offensively is evident on defense too. Daniel covers up for his teammates from the weak-side by stuffing drives and cutting off passing lanes. Offers: Kutztown and Jacksonville University [player_tooltip player_id="991231" first="Jacob" last="Beccles"] | 6’3 G Constitution + Team Durant After an abbreviated junior season (15.9 pts/g) and a run on a loaded EYBL team, Jacob is due for a major come up as a senior. What jumps out first about Beccles is that he plays above the rim. He’s not scared to putting you on a poster with a dunk, but he’s smart enough to go around you with finesse when necessary. With his liquid-like handle, Jacob leverages his gravity as a slasher to create space for pull-up treys. Jeremiah Bembry | 6’6 G/W Executive Education + Athletes Plus Bembry is a high-upside swing as a wing initiator. Despite his positional size, he’s able to slink through defenses, especially in the open floor. On the flipside, his physical tools do allow him to access passing angles that smaller guards can’t. That length, his explosiveness, and his instincts give Jeremiah the potential to be deployed creatively on defense at the next level. The ways he blitzes ball-handlers and times blocks are elite. Darius Isaac | 5’10 G Springside Chestnut Hill Academy Isaac is like a cornerback on defense; when he’s not strapping the player he’s guarding, he’s jumping passing lanes to take the ball the other way. Pure point guard on offense, he uses his quickness to get to feet in the paint and unleash his floater game. Darius can also knock down triples to keep defenders honest. With SCH’s infusion of talent this summer, Isaac will get to show his creativity as a passer even more. [player_tooltip player_id="991322" first="Trent" last="Middleton"] Jr | 6’3 G Math, Civics, & Science + Athletes Plus Going into his second season at MCS, Trent’s calling card is ability to put pressure on the rim and finish off one or two feet. He spent his grassroots season with Athletes Plus developing his pace when he has the rock. Middleton Jr uses hesitations to freeze defenders and get more out of his acceleration. And once he has a full head-of-steam, the senior combo guard can decelerate, access windows to finish or pass. [player_tooltip player_id="991309" first="Argel" last="Pettit"] IV | 6’2 G Devon Prep + WeR1 IV is a talented second-side guard because of his scoring ability and microskills. He takes a variety of shots with volume from deep and mid-range. Always ready to catch & fire with his feet pointed at the rim, Pettit has the potential to be a high level movement shooter whose gravity is leveraged off-ball. He’s quick to relocate after swinging the ball too. Additionally, his off-the-dribble game is improving based on how he attacks closeouts and walks into threes. [player_tooltip player_id="991208" first="Casey" last="Traina"] | 6’4 G/W Germantown Academy + South Jersey Hoops Elite Casey is the kind of player who compliments any team he’s on. He’s a reliable shooter off the catch and he makes himself easy to find. When defenders try to run him off the line, he attacks their closeouts with one or two dribble pull-ups. His defense on and off-ball are important too. Traina’s broad shoulders and long arms allow him to guard anyone on the perimeter and be disruptive no matter where he is on the court.   For more high school basketball coverage, follow me on twitter @CGraham_Sports.