Philly Live Session I Sunday Standouts
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Jalil Bethea PA #1 SG #1 HEIGHT 6'4" POS SG CLASS 2024 View Player Boost Profile Download Image Jalil Bethea Class 2024 Position SG Height 6'4" HS Archbishop Wood | PA Philly Live Session I Sunday Standouts Jalil Bethea…
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Continue ReadingJalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6’4″ | SG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State #5 Nation PA (Archbishop Wood): 2024 five-star guard Jalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6’4″ | SG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State #5 Nation PA put on a show at Philly Live with his high IQ play, elite shot making, toughness and leadership. Bethea’s multi-level scoring was explosive, shooting with deep range off the dribble and displaying some high-level athleticism flushing emphatic dunks. His quick-burst when utilizing misdirection dribbles allowed him to create space for deep range bombs, against closing defenders who were too late. Bethea was also locked in off the catch, and exhibited some intelligent movement as a cutter. When attacking downhill he absorbed contact on his way to the rim, and finished with physicality. Defensively, Bethea was sound on the ball and closed defensive possessions with big rebounds. One of the most efficient and prolific scorers class of 2024 has to offer.
Billy Richmond
Billy Richmond
Billy Richmond (Camden High): Six-foot-seven wing Billy Richmond showcased his blend of strength, athleticism and grace with the different ways he scored the ball. Once Richmond gets a full head of steam he’s very hard to stop from penetrating the lane. His quick bursts and explosive first-step allow him to be a walking paint touch when he’s at the point of the attack. Richmond finished well around the rim with nifty hang finishes, exhibiting superb body control. Was very dynamic in transition and showcased his eruptive athleticism with ferocious dunks. The lefty wing also displayed some streaky shooting from the perimeter, putting together some consecutive makes in stretches throughout the game. Richmond has received three offers this week from Kansas, Michigan and UConn.
Ahmad Nowell Ahmad Nowell 6’0″ | PG Imhotep Charter | 2024 State #36 Nation PA (Imhotep Charter): Top-4o point guard Ahmad Nowell Ahmad Nowell 6’0″ | PG Imhotep Charter | 2024 State #36 Nation PA was very consistent with his stellar play over the weekend. Constantly keeping the defense on their heels and challenging defenders to stay in front. His upper-body strength allowed Nowell to barrel through tight creases and finish through contact. Although Nowell exhibits a ton of functional strength, his ability to have a soft touch and use English off the glass helped him convert some tough layups through traffic. Nowell’s growth and maturity was on full display with how he patiently probed the defense and made some tough contested shots in the mid-range area. Nowell has recently narrowed his college list down to four schools, Tennessee, Kentucky, UConn and Georgia Tech.
Tahaad Pettiford (Hudson Catholic): Auburn commit Tahaad Pettiford had it rolling at Philly Live session I. Pettiford is lethal off the bounce with his slithery dribble moves, quick change of pace and ability to shoot off the bounce. Pettiford’s methodical pace makes him such a hard cover for opposing guards. In the blink of an eye he can blow past defenders for athletic lays at the rim or make them look foolish on that island, as he pulls a deep-range bomb with his sweet lefty shooting stroke. His quick shifts of direction and change of pace made it easy for him to get to his spots, especially in pick and roll play where he challenged defenders to pick their poison. Defensively, his hands are always active in the passing lanes and he crashed the glass aggressively from the guard position.
Manny Joe-Samuel
Manny Joe-Samuel
Manny Joe-Samuel (Camden High School): Manny Joe-Samuel put on an impressive display of perimeter scoring and toughness Sunday at Philly Live. Samuel’s ability to heat up and fearlessness to not only take tough shots, but make tough shots kept Camden High in the game during a heated battle against Archbishop Wood. Samuel’s shot making and the passion he exerted gave ‘The High’ life, igniting runs throughout the game. He used his strong upper-body to get to his sweet spots off the bounce, where he felt comfortable rising up for tough contested shots. Samuel made shots from all-three levels from a live dribble, but his nifty finishing in the lane was just as impressive. I expect Samuel to solidify himself as one of the better scoring guards in the area and see his recruitment take off, with his most recent offer being from Towson.
Josh Reed Josh Reed 6’3″ | CG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State PA (Archbishop Wood): Josh Reed Josh Reed 6’3″ | CG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State PA is a strong, steady combo guard who takes zero plays off and plays winning basketball. Reed is the type of player any college coach would want in their program, with his contagious energy and effort. Reed is a highly intelligent player, who exudes discipline on the defensive end and aggression on the offensive end. Defensively, Reed’s strength allows him to successfully guard players who may have a size advantage, but he’s also very sound defending without fouling and limiting dribble penetration from the perimeter. Offensively, Reed attacked the rim relentlessly and absorbed contact on his way. His strength and athleticism was on display as he made plays with his physicality and bounce, finishing above the rim on many transition plays. Reed’s recruitment has been hot recently, with his picking up offers from Quinnipiac, Buffalo and Iona within the last week.
Milan Dean Milan Dean 6’3″ | SF Archbishop Wood | 2025 State #286 Nation PA (Archbishop Wood): Milan Dean Milan Dean 6’3″ | SF Archbishop Wood | 2025 State #286 Nation PA is one of the more intriguing, but underrated prospects in the area. Dean proved his value and upside at Philly Live by showcasing his toughness, solid positional size and two-way potential. The 2025 guard has a strong build and height that allows him to guard multiple positions. Dean chests up when guarding dribble penetration and has great timing when contesting jumpers. He used his functional strength to eat around the rim offensively, converting on and-one plays and finishing through contact. Although the 2025 guard is at his best when he’s attacking downhill, he also showed flashes of his developing outside scoring ability.
Zaahir Muhammad-Gray Zaahir Muhammad-Gray 6’5″ | SF Imhotep Charter | 2026 State PA (Imhotep Charter): 2026 Forward Zaahir Muhammad-Gray Zaahir Muhammad-Gray 6’5″ | SF Imhotep Charter | 2026 State PA may have been the most valuable player for this talented Imhotep team at Session I of Philly Live. Muhammad-Gray is the type of player whose energy and effort never wavers, regardless of what is being asked of him from his coaching staff. Muhammad-Gray’s disruptive length and high motor allowed him to be a beast on the glass, keeping possessions alive and scoring from second chance points. Once he gained leverage in the post, he was tough to keep off the glass. A very fluid athlete who can run the floor hard in transition, and utilize his athletic ability. He showed flashes of his perimeter shooting, and playmaking capabilities off the bounce in the open floor. Gray will be a problem in High School basketball for years to come.
Kingston Wheatley Kingston Wheatley 6’6″ | PF West Catholic | 2026 State PA (West Catholic): 2026 Forward Kingston Wheatley Kingston Wheatley 6’6″ | PF West Catholic | 2026 State PA was one of the most impressive prospects from Philly Live session I. The six-foot-six athlete played with high energy on both ends, but defensively he was disruptive. A reliable shot blocker, who showcased some imposing bounce when acting as a rim protector. He was effective deterring shots as a help-side defender or even acting as a chase-down artist and sending shots off the glass to keep them in play. His verticality and discipline as an interior defender helped West Catholic edge a talented Salesianum team Sunday night. Offensively he excelled when playing out of the dunker spot, getting behind the defense. Wheatley already possesses the qualities of a high-level, two-way prospect. Will be enticing to watch over the next two, to three seasons.
Saaid Lee Saaid Lee 5’9″ | PG West Catholic | 2025 State PA (West Catholic): 2025 point guard Saaid Lee Saaid Lee 5’9″ | PG West Catholic | 2025 State PA oozed confidence as he ran the show for West Catholic, igniting offense and using his creativity to make plays. Lee was relentless when getting downhill, finding his way through small cracks in the defense and drawing two defenders to create kick-out opportunities. When Lee is decisive in his decision making, he’s a walking paint touch. He initiates physicality, and used his body to gain free throw opportunities. He also displayed his capable shot-making from the perimeter when acting as a floor spacer. His toughness and attacking mentality will be essential for the Burrs success in competitive PCL play.