6 SEPA Prospects to Replace Jalen McDaniels
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If you are down the Jersey shore or in the Poconos for the long July 4th holiday weekend, you may have missed the news that “three and D” wing player Jalen McDaniels has bolted from the 76ers and agreed to…
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Continue ReadingIf you are down the Jersey shore or in the Poconos for the long July 4th holiday weekend, you may have missed the news that “three and D” wing player Jalen McDaniels has bolted from the 76ers and agreed to a 2-year, $9.3 million deal with the Toronto Raptors.
The departure of McDaniels is a significant loss for the Sixers as we felt this athletic wing would excel under new head coach Nick Nurse. Plus, in a roundabout way this news means Daryl Morey traded away Matisse Thybulle (plus a 2nd Rd pick) and got nothing in return for him.
So today we scoured the extensive Prephoops.com rankings database and found six southeastern Pennsylvania prospects we believe could do a respectable job in 2023-24 for Nick Nurse and the 76ers as a replacement for Jalen McDaniels.
Isaac Cole Isaac Cole 6'7" | SF West Catholic | 2025 State PA – 6’7″ / 2025 / West Catholic / Team Final / Wing: Cole was one of the biggest stock risers to come out of last month’s Philly HS Live sessions. With his astonishing athleticism, quickness and a tremendous feel for the game, Cole would be a natural fit in Nick Nurse’s offense that features constant movement. Additionally, Cole can produce points off the dribble, shoot jumpers from all over the court and play in pick-n-roll action. He excels on the fast break too. This past week Cole picked up an offer from St. Bonaventure.
Elijah Espinosa Elijah Espinosa 6'8" | PF Red Lands | 2024 State PA – 6’8″ / 2024 / Red Lands / York Ballers / Power Forward: Espinosa is a dynamic and bouncy athlete who does the bulk of his scoring damage on the fast break and in the paint. He can elevate quickly in traffic for an alley-oop or for a put-back slam. We are confident that the Sixers player development staff can add 3-point range to his already respectable jump shot. On defense Espinosa is a dominant rebounder and intimidating rim protector.
Tariq Jennings Tariq Jennings 6'6" | SF West Catholic | 2024 State PA – 6’6″ / 2024 / West Catholic / Phill Pride Select / Small Forward: Jennings was one of the breakout stars of the April and June live periods. He is an underrated ball handler who can create opportunities for himself and teammates. Jennings possesses a jumper that is accurate from the baseline to the mid-range to behind the arc. In fact, at Philly HS Live Session 2, Jennings shot the lights out from deep. With his length, speed, instincts, and vertical Jennings is a transition phenom as well as a plus defensive player.
Onyx Nnani Onyx Nnani 6'8" | PF Phelps School | 2025 State PA – 6’9” / 2025 / Phelps School / UPlay-Canada / Wing: A breathtaking athlete with speed and serious hops, Nnani is a lethal transition scoring threat. In the half-court Nnani’s steadily improving skill set includes 3-point range on his jumper and the ability score off drives from the elbows or along the baseline. Nnani also uses quick post ups as an effective scoring method vs. smaller defenders. He currently holds offers from Penn State, St. Joe’s, Oklahoma State and George Mason.
Will Riley Will Riley 6'7" | SF Phelps School | 2025 State #29 Nation PA – 6’7” / 2025 / Phelps School / UPlay Canada / Wing: Riley (26.4 ppg. & 4 rpg.) is the prospect with the most upside in this group. He is the No. 2 ranked player in our latest 2025 rankings and is the perfect wing scorer for the 76ers – a team that lacks wing production. Simply put, Riley is a playmaker at both ends of the court. His foot speed, quick lateral movements, and impressive leaping ability would enable him to thrive on the fast break. Riley’s dribbling skills and accurate shooting make him a legitimate perimeter threat as well. Riley’s poise, basketball IQ, and feel for the game would allow him to step in right away and be a great fit for Nick Nurse’s offensive system. Riley holds numerous DI college offers.
Jahseir Sayles Jahseir Sayles 6'6" | SF Plymouth Whitemarsh | 2024 State PA – 6’6″ / 2024 / Plymouth Whitemarsh / BW Elite / Wing: Sayles is a super athletic prospect with an enormous wingspan and fantastic rim-to-rim speed. Sayles is extremely capable of scoring in bunches, but he is not a player with a high usage rate. That means he would fit nicely on the court with Embiid. Sayles can splash threes, score off dribble drives, effectively use pick action for easy looks, and slash to the basket for a catch and lay-in. He is an outstanding rebounder and team defender too.