Gym Rat Live Invite: 5 SEPA Predictions
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This weekend’s grassroots action features two of the marquee events on the spring circuit — the Gym Rat Live Invite (Albany, NY) and the KYDA Invitational (Scranton, PA). We will have a preview of the KYDA Invite later. But right…
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Continue ReadingThis weekend’s grassroots action features two of the marquee events on the spring circuit — the Gym Rat Live Invite (Albany, NY) and the KYDA Invitational (Scranton, PA).
We will have a preview of the KYDA Invite later. But right now, we have assembled five predictions for the Gym Rat Live Invite.
1) Team Final EYBL-17U Should Run the Table
One of the most talented teams on the circuit tipped of the spring season by going 2-0 at the MADE Hoops East Warmup. This roster needs no introduction, but here goes. On the perimeter TF EYBL boasts Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'0" | PG Montverde Academy (FL) | 2024 State #35 Nation FL (PA Gatorade POY), Jalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6'4" | SG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State #5 Nation PA (PCL POY), Ahmad Nowell Ahmad Nowell 6'0" | PG Imhotep Charter | 2024 State #36 Nation PA (1st Team All-PPL) and Nick Coval Nick Coval 6'1" | CG Parkland | 2024 State PA (East Penn Conference MVP). Dominating the interior for TF EYBL will be power forward Thomas Sorber Thomas Sorber 6'9" | C Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State #58 Nation PA (1st Team All-PCL), small forward Ma’Kye Taylor Ma’Kye Taylor 6'7" | PF Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA (5A state champion) and 6’11” center Alfredo Adessa. Yes, the field at Gym Rats Live is stacked, but we think this TF team will bring home the Gym Rat Live hardware.
2) Nasir Washington Nasir Washington 6'2" | SG Penn Wood | 2023 State PA Will Grab the Attention of College Coaches
Washington (21 ppg.; 1,000+ points) remains one of the top uncommitted 2023s in the region. This spring, in an effort to attract the right college offer, he is running with Philly Pride UAA-17u. Washington’s speed and skill set are a perfect fit for this Philly Pride team. Thus, he should be able to display his transition game and 3-level scoring abilities as well as his ability to create opportunities off the dribble for himself and his teammates.
3) PSA Cardinals EYBL-15U Will Be Tough to Beat
Last week at MADE Hoops East Warm Up this loaded PSA group went 3-0. Included in their victories were wins over Philly Pride UAA (58-51) and Team Final Red (55-52). So, early own the boys from NYC appear to be a notch above the elite SEPA 15u grassroots teams. However, the good news is that the PSA-15U roster contains two highly skilled prospects from SEPA. Electric point guard KJ Coles KJ Coles 6'2" | CG Pocono Mountain West | 2026 State PA and 6’9” center Drew Corrao Drew Corrao 6'9" | C Archbishop Carroll | 2026 State PA are key pieces to PSA-15U’s success. If you watch this PSA Cardinals team, also keep an eye on Long Island Lutheran guard Dylan Mingo. He is a special prospect.
4) Amir Williams Amir Williams 6'6" | SF Neuman-Goretti | 2024 State PA Could Have His National Breakout at Gym Rat Live
During the 2022-23 high school season, Williams (9.6 ppg. & 4 rpg.) flew under the radar as the 3rd / 4th option on a Neumann-Goretti team that lost in the 4A state championship game. Take one look at Williams and you will see that he is an athletic and speedy 6’6” wing who can catch alley-oops. So, he will thrive in grassroots circuit action with TF EYBL-17u. Still, Williams is an underrated three-point shooter (53 3PM), and this spring he should have a tremendous opportunity to showcase his outside stroke. With opposing defenses focused on stopping TF’s primary ball handlers Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'0" | PG Montverde Academy (FL) | 2024 State #35 Nation FL and Ahmad Nowell Ahmad Nowell 6'0" | PG Imhotep Charter | 2024 State #36 Nation PA , as well as shooting guard Jalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6'4" | SG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State #5 Nation PA , Williams should get wide-open looks as the ball is swung to him or via drive and kicks. We are confident he will knock down those shots and post a breakout weekend.
5) There is a Chance the 16U Bracket Could Feature an All-Philly Championship Game
Philly Pride UAA and Team Final E16/Red are on opposites ends of the 16U bracket and while neither team has an easy path the final game, we like the chances of an all-Philly title contest. The biggest hurdle would be a potential quarterfinal game for Team Final E16/Red against an extremely skilled PSA Cardinals EYBL squad. If TF can survive that matchup, we like their chances of meeting Philly Pride UAA in the ‘chip.