Atlantic City Jam Fest Preview: SEPA 17U Teams

Carey Smith

July 5, 2022 @ 03:53 PM

[caption id="attachment_1415044" align="alignleft" width="175"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/IMG-7918-e1650486741644.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1415044" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/IMG-7918-e1650486741644-298x300.jpg" alt="" width="175" height="176" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991335" first="Dean" last="Coleman-Newsome"] (C/O 2023) of Gibbs Elite.[/caption] Starting on Wednesday night, many of the top grassroots teams from southeastern Pennsylvania will travel to the Jersey Shore for the Hoop Group Atlantic City Jam Fest. Widely considered the east coast’s mega-tournament of the July circuit, the AC Jam Fest boasts an extremely competitive field that includes powerhouse regional and national teams. Below is a glance at the 17U grassroots squads from southeastern PA that are participating in this marquee event as well their opening round opponent. 17U (2023): BW Elite: Marcus Branker, Jr. is a dynamic and versatile wing prospect who scores at all three levels and lefty guard [player_tooltip player_id="1472582" first="Malcolm" last="Muhammad"] is lethal from behind the arc. Those are just two of the names on this roster who will play at the next level. BW Elite begins tips off their summer runs on Wednesday night against Crown Platinum (MD). East Coast Power-Danzig: This roster boasts two high level wings you need to see in person. The first is Mushin Muhammad (15 ppg. & 6 rpg. in 2021-22) who was a 2nd Team All-State selection. The other is versatile 6’6” prospect [player_tooltip player_id="1472597" first="Luke" last="Rasmussen"]. Recently at the Mid-Atlantic Independent School Shootout, Rasmussen played outstanding basketball for Haverford School. ECP-Danzig takes the court on Wednesday night vs. Crown Basketball – HGSL (MD). Gibbs Elite: With a bevy of talented wing and guard prospects, this roster is scary deep. The backcourt rotation includes Saleem Payne, [player_tooltip player_id="991335" first="Dean" last="Coleman-Newsome"], [player_tooltip player_id="1379585" first="Connor" last="Shanahan"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1116047" first="Madison" last="Tatom"]. Running with that ridiculous group of guards are DI wing prospects [player_tooltip player_id="1472583" first="Blake" last="Deegan"], [player_tooltip player_id="1379452" first="Andrew" last="Phillips"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1477838" first="Jake" last="Bolyn"]. On Wednesday afternoon Gibbs Elite matches up with SHA Elite–Black (NJ). Philly Pride Delco: The “Delco” affiliate relatively is new to the Philly Pride program, but the talent on this squad is legit. The Chichester duo of 6’3” lead guard Ahkir Keys and sniper Mazen Sayed are a force to be reckoned with on the court. They open this year’s AC Jam Fest event with a game against Boo Williams Select – HGSL (VA). Prim3Tim3 (PA) HGSL: After an outstanding spring circuit and a tremendous June live period, the players on this squad are now on everyone’s radar. Prospects like shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="1119137" first="Jackson" last="Hicke"] (Princeton commit), do everything wing [player_tooltip player_id="1116055" first="Lucas" last="Orchard"], stretch-4 [player_tooltip player_id="1212678" first="Charlie" last="Thornton"] and versatile small forward [player_tooltip player_id="1178095" first="Jacen" last="Holloway"] (offer from Chestnut Hill) form an imposing lineup. This group hits the court Wednesday afternoon vs. Team Richmond - HGSL. SK Elite 17s: SK Elite brings to the court three prospects who really stood out during June’s high school live period. Extraordinary combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id="933049" first="Josh" last="Coulanges"], scoring machine [player_tooltip player_id="1472575" first="Nasir" last="Washington"] and interior force [player_tooltip player_id="1187959" first="Larenzo" last="Jerkins"] (a 2024 “playing up”), will look to continue pushing their recruiting stock upward at the AC Jam Fest. SK Elite tips off this event on Wednesday evening against Global Squad – HGSL (MD). [caption id="attachment_1439747" align="alignleft" width="154"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-8304-e1657048741636.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1439747" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-8304-e1657048741636-300x297.jpg" alt="" width="154" height="152" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1378453" first="Ruben" last="Rodriguez"] (C/O 2023) of Team Final Red.[/caption] Team Final Red HGSL: From April through the June high school live period 2023 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="1378453" first="Ruben" last="Rodriguez"] (offers from Drexel, Rider & FDU) was absolutely on fire. Now Rodriguez and his backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id="1382975" first="Myles" last="Grey"] lead TFR on the summer circuit. TFR starts its July runs on Wednesday afternoon vs. Global Squad – HGSL (MD). We R1 Select 17s: Power forward [player_tooltip player_id="1281789" first="Luke" last="Brown"] and 6’5” combo guard Jermai Stewart-Herring are two PCL prospects who really grabbed our attention during the spring circuit. When you combine that duo with impressive Delaware prospects like Amir Hite (Dover HS) and Kyle Gambler (Polytech), you have a formidable squad. That group take the floor at the AC Jam Fest late Wednesday night (9PM) vs. NY Gauchos - HGSL York Ballers HGSL: Somehow extremely skilled combo guard Karron Mallory is still flying under the radar of college coaches. That is simply a crime. Along with Mallory, this YB team features Central York’s high level guard Ethan Dodson and 6”4” perimeter shooter [player_tooltip player_id="1185959" first="Nolan" last="Gilbert"] from Cumberland Valley. York Ballers 17U opens play on Wednesday night vs. the New England Storm.