Friends School League POY Watch List

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-23 Friends School League season will feature a host of DI prospects looking to push their squads to the league title while also competing for Player of the Year honors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a preview of six players (Presented in alphabetical order.) who we consider the front runners to win the 2022-23 Friends School League Player of the Year award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285466' first='Christian' last='Bliss'] </strong><strong>– 6'4” / Junior / George School / NY Rens / Combo Guard: </strong>Last year Bliss averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per contest. He posted games of 30, 29 and 26 (twice) points. At the end of 2021-22, he was selected 1^st Team All-FSL as well as 2^ndTeam All-State. The scary part is that during fall ball 2022 runs Bliss appears to have taken his game up a notch. Recently he has scored at all three levels, dropped dimes, and played menacing defense. Bliss also added muscle to his frame and has displayed improved athleticism. 2022-23 should be a monster year for this highly entertaining guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933733' first='Darrien' last='Grady'] </strong><strong>– 5'10' / Senior / Shipley School / We R1 UAA / Point Guard: </strong>Under the tutelage of Head Coach Alvin Williams (Villanova / Toronto Raptors) Grady has developed into one of the premiere scoring guards in the area. Grady's primary weapon is his smooth 3-point stroke (42% last yr.). When defenses manage to chase him off the arc, Grady scored via floaters or by getting all way to the tin. He is an extremely creative finisher. Last season Grady posted a stat line of 18/4/3 per game. He torched Life Center (NJ) for 29 points and SCH Academy for 25. Grady is primed for a banner senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1202039' first='Christian' last='Kirkland'] </strong><strong>– 6'7” / Senior / Friends Select / We R1 / Wing: </strong>Julian Dunkley of Difference Make Elite training once said Kirkland owns <em>“a Lamar Odom type game”.</em>That is an extremely accurate description for this lefty double-double machine. The explosive Kirkland does it all. He can grab a rebound and go coast-to-coast. He can splash threes. He can burn as a point-forward. He is a tremendous mid-range to the rim scoring threat via jumpers or dribble drives. Plus, Kirkland is a beast on the glass at both ends. Kirkland (1^st Team All-FSL in 2021-22) holds offers from Fairfield and Rider.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119114' first='Onyekachi' last='Nzeh'] </strong><strong>– 6'9” / Senior / George School / Team Final EYBL / Power Forward:</strong> One of the elite bigs in the region continues to get better. “Kachi” (20 &amp; 12 per in 2021-22) has expanded his offensive skill set to include a much-improved jump shot with 3-point range. Adding three-point shooting to his game has opened the floor for him to attack the rim off the dribble. Obviously with his height, 7'3” wingspan and superb athleticism, “Kachi” can dominate on the interior too. After mulling over 20+ offers, “Kachi” chose Xavier. He is our preseason favorite to win FSL Player of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1393685' first='Seyphon' last='Triplett'] </strong><strong>– 6'1′ / Senior / Westtown School / PSA Cardinals / Combo Guard:</strong> This Stonehill College commit reminds us of Stephon Marbury. For a modern-day comparison, think Ja Morant. Triplett is an attacking style of guard who plays with a ton of swagger. His athleticism, speed and hops are off the charts. Triplett's quick first step and blow by dribbles get him to the rack at will. If a defender sags off, Triplett uses his efficient jumper to hit shots all around the arc. In 2021-22 Triplett averaged 11 ppg. &amp; 5 rpg. This year he will asked to score more for ‘Town, so we expect that stat line to increase significantly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1279645' first='Ife' last='West-Ingram'] </strong><strong>– 6'6” / Senior / Abington Friends / Philly Pride National / Wing:</strong> West-Ingram is a slashing style wing whose athleticism, quickness and instincts have always been obvious. Those assets have allowed him to thrive in transition. Then over the last 4-5 months he displayed expanded shooting and dribble pull ups skills. This summer at the MIAS Shootout he posted a ridiculous 34 points and 14 boards performance. On the defensive end, West-Ingram is major plus player, blocking shots and slicing through passing lanes for steals. Earlier this week he committed to Rider University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->