6 SEPA Prospects to Watch in August

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The July grassroots circuit is in the rearview mirror. So, now it is time to look forward to the summer league action, team camps, individual showcases and group workouts that fill up the August basketball calendar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that in mind, below is a review of five prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania (and beyond) who we are looking forward to scouting here in August.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1867332' first='Duke' last='Cloran'] </strong><strong>– 6'2" / 2024 / Haverford School / PA Hoops Academy / Combo Guard: </strong>The graduation of Luke Rasmussen (Lafayette) means that this year Cloran and running mate [player_tooltip player_id='1454260' first='Silas' last='Graham'] will be asked to do the bulk of the scoring for the Fords. Good news, Cloran appears ready for that increased role. Cloran can lace jumpers from all over the court. His crafty dribble skills enable Cloran to get to the mid-range for pull ups or into the paint for lay-ins. Plus, Cloran's high basketball IQ and unselfish approach enable him to facilitate for teammates from both guard spots.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1990926' first='Ben' last='Costello'] </strong><strong>– 6'5" / 2024 / Devon Prep / PA Hoops Academy / Small Forward: </strong>With the sudden transfer of DP's star player [player_tooltip player_id='1123922' first='Ty' last='Mishock'], Costello's promotion to the Tide's No. 1 option begins next month. We are extremely interested to see how this versatile forward handles the increased role. Costello can operate in the high post, in the paint or on the perimeter. His basketball instincts and court vision make Costello an excellent distributing “big.” His three-point shot is a developing weapon too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118630' first='Nelson' last='Lamizana'] </strong><strong>– 6'7″ / 2024 / West Chester Henderson / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] UAA / Power Forward</strong>: After spending a season at Bonner &amp; Prendergast as their third / fourth option, Lamizana (7.6 points &amp; 6 rebounds per game) has transferred back to West Chester Henderson. He immediately becomes Henderson's primary scoring threat. Lamizana is an athletic interior prospect who runs the floor well and finishes break outs with authority. His half-court skills continue to develop. Lamizana now possesses a nice face-up game from which he can unleash 15-to-17-foot jumpers or attack the rim on drives from the elbows and the baseline. Of course, with his size and quickness, Lamizana is also a force on the offensive glass.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2247339' first='Christian' last='Matos'] </strong><strong>– 6'3″ / 2026 / Methacton / [program_tooltip program_id='2078678' first='East' last='Coast Power'] / Point Guard: </strong>The 32-point outburst Matos produced at Summer Finale earlier this month had the entire Spooky Nook (PA) facility buzzing and has us anticipating a stock rising August from him. Obviously, Matos thrives on the fast-paced grassroots circuit and can score at all three levels. It will be intriguing to watch his elusive handles and scoring skills at work in half-court style games next month. In July Matos flashed the ability to play as a distributing lead guard too. That asset should help him earn serious minutes for Methacton in the coming months. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1848532' first='Zamir' last='Parker-Barnes'] </strong><strong>– 6'5” / 2025 / Abington Friends / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] Select / Wing: </strong>A change of scenery (transfer to AFS) for Parker-Barnes should be the springboard for an impressive August. He is a wiry, fast, and versatile guard who should excel in the up-tempo style of ball that AFS typically plays. When parker-Barnes is out in transition, he can navigate the length of the court with the dribble for a creative finish or to drop a dime on a teammate. In the half-court Parker-Barnes is a knock down three point shooter. Additionally, his instincts, non-stop motor and quickness produce constant off ball movement. That enables Parker-Barnes to find open spaces for triples or to slash to the cup for buckets.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mekhi Robertson – 6'3″ / 2027 / Life Center Academy (NJ) / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] UAA / Combo Guard: </strong>Robertson is a 2027 who “played up” with [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride']'s 15u team in July and really impressed scouts and college coaches. He can shoot the three from logo distance. He is a creative finisher at the rim in transition and off the dribble. Robertson has also shown repeatedly that he can convert through contact. He just picked up an offer from Samford University and we are certain more are to come before the 2023-24 school year starts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->