NYC Prospects building buzz this fall
Preseason basketball is underway all over the nation and NYC is no different. Here we take a look at the players who capitalized on their summer and are looking like preseason studs in NYC. Daye Kaba NY #24 SF #6…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPreseason basketball is underway all over the nation and NYC is no different. Here we take a look at the players who capitalized on their summer and are looking like preseason studs in NYC.
Daye Kaba Daye Kaba 6’6″ | SF Eagle (Bronx) | 2024 State NY transferred to Eagle Academy Bronx for his upcoming senior campaign and already looks like a stud for last year’s Bronx AA Division champions. Because of his size and athleticism Kaba is a threat with the ball in his hands from everywhere on the floor. Often Kaba was able to breakdown his defender off the dribble and get to the rim for easy or acrobatic layups. When called upon Kaba also hits shots from the perimeter. With that said, Kaba plays with intensity on the defensive side of the ball as well. Because of his length, Kaba gets into passing lanes and bothers opponents attempting to drive to the basket. We expect Kaba to continue to be a stud for Eagle BX once the season starts.
SMARTBALL NYC PRESEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Karifala Conde
Karifala Conde
Karifala Conde has been a complete stud for James Monroe all preseason. Conde does whatever needs to be done on the basketball floor for his ball club. On defense Conde is intense talking to teammates while using his physicality and quickness to bother guards on the perimeter. That same physicality is exuded on the offensive end as Conde was an offensive rebound machine in the games we saw this preseason. Often Conde would clean up a broken play or be the smallest person in the paint to come up with a rebound and putback for a bucket. Overall Conde is the hardest working player we have seen so far this preseason.
SMARTBALL NYC PRESEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Asher Elson
Asher Elson
Asher Elson was a 6’9″ stud for South Shore at Smartball NYC this preseason. At times his arms looked freakishly long while he extended easily over the outstretched arms of defenders on his way to the basket. Although he doesn’t have the biggest frame, Elson didn’t shy away from contact in the paint. Showing the ability to take small defenders off the dribble utilizing his quickness and finishing through contact. Or banging against much larger defenders around the rim for rebounds. Elson is a preseason stud who is must watch player for the 2023-2024 season.
SMARTBALL NYC PRESEASON HIGHLIGHTS
D’Andre Gibbs
D’Andre Gibbs
D’Andre Gibbs was everywhere on the court for Eagle Academy Bronx during their preseason at Smartball NYC. Frequently, Gibbs would get into passing lanes creating steals and easy opportunities for him or his teammates. Many times, Gibbs energy and tenacious effort on the defensive end, simply made opponents nervous and resulted in bad shots or bad passes. Throughout the entire Smartball tournament, Gibbs was on fire from the 3-point line. A lot of his catch and shoot attempts hit nothing but the bottom of the net. And Gibbs had a knack for coming up with a big bucket in big moments for Eagle BX. This season Gibbs will have a large role for Eagle BX and they will easily repeat as Bronx AA division champions if his stud play continues.
SMARTBALL NYC PRESEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Jahzir Crawford Jahzir Crawford 5’11” | PG Holy Cross | 2026 State NY was a complete stud for Holy Cross in preseason action. Crawford is poised to takeover the starting PG position for Holy Cross, who will be coached this season by Billy Turnage. With a nice handle and even better court vision, Crawford sets up his teammates for easy baskets. In addition, Crawford showed the awareness to look for his own shot when it was needed. Because of this he provided crucial points for Holy Cross down the stretch of each contest. At his size Crawford welcomes contact and finishes around the rim against big, long defenders. And Crawford should take a huge leap this season with Turnage at the helm.
SMARTBALL NYC PRESEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Braylin Sanjurjo
Braylin Sanjurjo
Braylin Sanjurjo is what you think of what you think about a point guard from the tri-state area. Repeatedly we witnessed Sanjurjo pick apart defenses to find teammates or create his own shot. While his speed is a great attribute, Sanjurjo’s power and control make him a special guard in the half court or open floor. On a couple of occasions Sanjurjo seemed to be driving directly into a trap, only for the ball to pop out to an open teammate for a clean jump shot. Also Sanjurjo’s speed and strength made him a nightmare for opposing guards, who often had Sanjurjo to deal with for the entire length of the court. Sanjurjo is the PG for an Eagle BX team filled with players who he compliments, and will be a stud at the position for them this season.
SMARTBALL NYC PRESEASON HIGHLIGHTS