2023-24 Friends League: What’s My Name?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Friends School League is primed for an entertaining and competitive 2023-24 season featuring high-level play from star players. By now you are familiar with the FSL ballers we are talking about. Names like [player_tooltip player_id='1153953' first='Luke' last='Bevilacqua'], [player_tooltip player_id='1608275' first='Jordan' last='Dill'], [player_tooltip player_id='1484307' first='Jayden' last='Forsythe'], [player_tooltip player_id='2229148' first='Bahsil' last='Laster'], [player_tooltip player_id='1865291' first='Isaiah' last='Marshall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1173986' first='Fazl' last='Oshodi'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running the court with those No. 1 options will be a group of prospects who are not household names yet, but they will contribute for their varsity teams this winter and potentially play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we want to highlight six of these FSL athletes so this winter when someone asks you, <em>“What's His Name?”</em> you will know the answer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1667409' first='Owen' last='Coughlin'] – 6'8″ / 2025 / Friends Select / BW Elite / Power Forward:</strong> Coughlin is a rising big man prospect who has shown flashes of being able to play as a stretch-4. He is comfortable out on the perimeter where he can drain threes, operate in pick-n-roll action, or distribute. In the mid-range, he is a fantastic high post passer / shooter. On the interior he can get buckets via quick post-up and the offensive glass. At the other end of the court, Coughlin is a tremendous rim protector.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2056421' first='Jasin' last='Custus-Dancy'] – 5'10″ / 2026 / Academy of New Church / G2G Elite / Combo Guard:</strong> This downhill, dribble drive backcourt prospect transferred to ANC from City School, and he will have an immediate impact for his new squad. Custus-Dancy places constant pressure on opponents by getting paint touches at a high rate. Once in the lane, he can unleash floaters, convert on lay-ins through contact, drop a pass to a waiting big or to kick out to the arc. His 3-point shooting must be respected as well. On defense, Custus-Dancy has a habit of knifing through passing lanes for steals that lead to easy buckets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1589406' first='Matt' last='Lange'] </strong><strong>– 6'2” / 2024 / Shipley / [program_tooltip program_id='2078682' first='K-Low' last='Elite'] / Combo Guard:</strong> Lange owns a reputation as an up-tempo primary ball handler who attacks the rack. That analysis remains true, but in recent months Lange has proven he can play off the ball as a shooting guard / wing too. He can splash jumpers from anywhere on the floor, score off the dribble and slash to the cup for a catch and lay-in. Lange's most unique asset could be his polished Euro-step moves that he executes flawlessly. His basketball IQ and poise are noteworthy as well. Lange holds an offer from Bucknell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1865350' first='Luke' last='Melniczak'] </strong><strong>– 6'3″ / 2025 / George School / Philly Revolution / Shooting Guard:</strong> Superstar Christian Bliss left for Virginia a year early. So, the time for this versatile, lefty two-guard to step into the spotlight is now. Good news, Melniczak has the automatic jump shot and all-around skill set to handle the unexpected promotion. Melniczak's quickness, non-stop off-ball movement and basketball IQ make him extremely difficult to defend. He also does an excellent job of spotting up for threes within the ball handlers' field of vision, thus creating obvious passing lane. As a nice bonus, Melniczak possesses respectable handles as well as distributing skills. So, he can burn as a point guard if needed. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1865346' first='Nigel' last='Pierman'] – 6'6″ / 2025 / Friends Central / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] UAA / Wing:</strong> Pierman is a long and athletic hybrid-forward prospect who over the last four months has displayed a significantly more polished scoring skill set. Pierman has always been a tenacious rebounder, so the improvement in his jump shot as well as his finishing skills means that he is now a threat to post a double-double every night. Pierman can produce points with his face up game too. On defense, Pierman's quick feet, physicality and instincts enable him to guard multiple positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1850315' first='Jared' last='Shanken'] </strong><strong>– 5'11″ / 2025 / Abington Friends / Shooting Guard:</strong> Shanken is a quick, multi-skilled guard with a dead-eye three-point shot. He smartly uses that asset to set up the rest of his game. After he has canned several threes, Shanken will use a head / ball fake, then put the ball on the deck to get to the rim for a lay-in. Once at the cup, he can finish at the rim with either hand. With opponents focused on stopping teammates [player_tooltip player_id='1173986' first='Fazl' last='Oshodi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1848532' first='Zamir' last='Parker-Barnes'], Shanken should capitalize on frequent one-v-one opportunities this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->