Grassroots Preview: Philly Pride National 17U

[caption id="attachment_1262154" align="alignleft" width="260"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Alassane-Amadou-2023-crop-676x444-1628533888.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1262154 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Alassane-Amadou-2023-crop-676x444-1628533888-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="260" height="171" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1188210" first="Alassane" last="Amadou"] of [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] National & SCHA. Photo: [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'][/caption] Obviously, the [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] National UAA 17U (2023) roster is filled with extremely talented prospects. In addition to their basketball skills, what will really grab the attention of college coaches is the length and athleticism of this squad as well as the extreme tempo they play with. Below is a preview of the spring 2022 [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] National UAA 17U (2023) roster. [player_tooltip player_id="1188210" first="Alassane" last="Amadou"] – 6'9” / SCH Academy / Small Forward: Amadou's breakout came during the 2021 spring / summer grassroots circuit and now there is no stopping him. During the 2021-22 high school season he continued to display improved perimeter shooting and a fearless, attacking style of play. He is a long, athletic, and versatile prospect with hops. Amadou averaged 11 points per game this winter and notched several double doubles. At the other end he rebounds and blocks shots. After the regular season Amadou was named as a 2nd team All-Inter-Ac selection. He holds numerous DI offers including ones from Maryland, VCU, Cincy, Miami, and Marquette. [player_tooltip player_id="991383" first="Mark" last="Butler"] – 6'0” / Penn Charter / Combo Guard: The 2021-22 Inter-Ac Player of the Year posted a tremendous high school season. He averaged 14 points, 5 assist and 5 rebounds per game. In mid-February Butler poured in a season high 30 points against SCHA. He is an elite ball handling guard who plays with pace, but rarely commits turnovers. He drastically improved his jumper so that now his range extends out to the three-point line. When he is double teamed, Butler has the court vision and instincts to move the ball to an open teammate. Butler is hearing from a slew of DI schools and already holds an offer from George Washington. [player_tooltip player_id="1202023" first="Augustus" last="Gerhart"] – 6'9'' / Hill School / Power Forward: Gerhart has always been an efficient interior scoring threat, but during the 2021-22 high school season his mid-range jumper started clicking and he even began to sprinkle in a few threes. Those added scoring elements enabled Gerhart to average 19 points per game (along with 9 rpg.) and landed him on the 2021-22 Mid-Atlantic Prep League All-League Team. Do not mistake Gerhart for a lumbering big, he possesses elite athleticism and smooth footwork. This winter Gerhart picked up offers from two of the Ivies — Penn and Columbia. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matt-mayock/">[player_tooltip player_id="1200771" first="Matt" last="Mayock"]</a> – 6'4” / Westtown School / Combo Guard: On a roster filled with DI talent and future NBA players, Mayock (10.9 ppg.) carved out a nice role for himself as a high-level 3-point shooter (45% from deep). He was especially effective in pick-n-pop action. But Mayock could always shoot the three. So, it was his improved ability to get buckets off dribble-drives that really made headlines over the 2021-22 season. This winter he also displayed better passing skills. Mayock played a key role in Westtown winning the Friends League title as well as the PAISSA state championship. [caption id="attachment_1167458" align="alignleft" width="182"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/IMG_3707-rotated-e1639322191145.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1167458" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/IMG_3707-rotated-e1639322191145-300x289.jpg" alt="" width="182" height="175" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1281811" first="Izaiah" last="Pasha"] of [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] National & Cardinal O'Hara.[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="1281811" first="Izaiah" last="Pasha"] – 6'5” / Cardinal O'Hara / Combo Guard: Out of the avalanche of prospects who transferred during the spring/summer of 2021, Pasha (formerly of Central Dauphin East) was likely the most impactful one of all. Pasha is a downhill style of lead guard who provided an up-tempo pace for O'Hara's offense. He can finish a fast break at the rim with either hand. His high percentage 3-point shooting (41%) supplied a much-needed wing scoring punch for O'Hara's lineup. Pasha posted a regular season stat line of 16.4 points, 7 rebounds and 3. 6 assists per game. Those numbers garnered him a 1st Team All-Philly Catholic League selection. Pasha currently holds an offer from Sienna. [player_tooltip player_id="1257913" first="DeMajh" last="Salisbery"] – 6'1” / Conestoga Valley / Combo Guard: Salisbery continued to play at an elite level this winter, so we expect numerous DI offers will come in soon. Salisbery (Former Temple star, Dustin Salisbery is his father.) has exhibited the ability to hit triples, score off the dribble-drive and get out in transition. Salisbery (19 ppg.) has a knack for getting to his spots regardless of the defensive scheme. Despite all his scoring ability, Salisbery is a willing distributor. He is also an excellent rebounding guard, which college coaches will love. Salisbery holds offers from Binghamton and Albany. [player_tooltip player_id="1200800" first="Horace" last="Simmons"] – 6'6'' / LaSalle CHS / Wing: Simmons is one of the most physically gifted (long, athletic, impressive vertical) wing prospects in southeastern Pennsylvania. Because of those gifts, Simmons has always excelled in transition and been an intimidating shot blocker (1.6 bpg. in 2021-22). However, this winter his half-court offensive skills took a sizeable step forward. Thus, his upside now seems limitless. Simmons (14 ppg. & 8 rpg.) can score the rock at all three levels. His jumper is solid from 15 feet to the 3-point line (39% on threes.). Simmons can also slash to the rim for a catch and lay-in. With his length and non-stop motor Simmons is a beast on the offensive glass. After this past season Simmons was a 2nd team All-Philly Catholic League selection. Penn, Richmond, Marquette and GWU are among the numerous DI programs that have already offered Simmons. [player_tooltip player_id="1279644" first="Jake" last="Warren"] – 6'10” / Downingtown West / Power Forward: Warren (10.8 ppg. and 9.8 rpg) is a modern day “stretch-4” prospect who is comfortable playing with his back to the basket in the post as well as finding open spaces for threes on the perimeter. He is extremely athletic, runs the floor swiftly and will flush with either hand. Warren is also a very skilled high post passer who averaged three assists per contest. At the other end of the court, Warren is a tenacious on-ball defender and rim protector who plays with a great deal of energy. Warren holds an offer from Saint Joe's.