Kobe Bryant Classic: Under the Radar Prospects to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend the Kobe Bryant Classic will take place at two separate locations in southeastern Pennsylvania. On Saturday night Lower Merion high school will host a high-profile double header. Then on Sunday, Widener University will be the site of four extremely competitive contests in this showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The six games that comprise the Kobe Bryant Classic will feature a slew of superstar players. But today we want to review several of the under the radar prospects participating in the various games at this event.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saturday December 9^th at Lower Merion HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Archbishop Wood vs. Huntington Prep (WV)…Tip-Off at 4:00PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2121579' first='Brian' last='Donahue'] – 6'3” / Archbishop Wood / Philly Revolution / Combo Guard:</strong> Donahue is a guard prospect who skyrocketed up our latest rankings after posting an impressive summer / fall. He is a multi-dimensional scorer who can produce points with his perimeter shooting as well as off dribble drives and via back door cuts. Donahue also possesses a high IQ and is a willing passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Methacton vs. Lower Merion…Tip-Off at 6:00PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2120393' first='Owen' last='McCabe'] – 5'11” / 2024 / Lower Merion / Combo Guard:</strong> This senior guard earned a starting spot this season and averaged 17.5 ppg. over LM's first two contests. McCabe can splash threes and create off the dribble for himself as well as teammates. He also thrives in transition. As a nice bonus, McCabe is a plus player on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sunday December 10^that Widener Univ.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Plymouth Whitemarsh vs.Sanford (DE)…Tip-Off at 10:30AM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1589161' first='Jahseir' last='Sayles'] – 6'6″ / 2024 / Plymouth Whitemarsh / BW Elite / Wing:</strong> “P-Dub's” standout guard duo garners a lot of headlines, but Sayles is the unsung hero on this squad. Sayles is a super athletic prospect with length, an enormous wingspan and fantastic rim-to-rim speed. Sayles scores off dribble drives, pick-n-roll action, and slashes to the basket for catch and lay-ins. His 3-point shot is a developing weapon. He is an outstanding rebounder and shot blocker too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marquis Newson – 6'3″ / 2027 / Sanford (DE) / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] 302 / Combo Guard:</strong> Down in southern Delaware resides one of the top 2027 guard prospects in the tri-state area. Newson is an ultra-quick and versatile player who can score at all three levels. His incredible ability to score off the bounce creates space for his high-percentage jump shot. Newson's knack for turning turn steals and deflections into easy baskets is extremely noteworthy.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Westtown School vs. Math, Civics &amp; Sciences…Tip-Off at 12:15PM</em><em></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2536679' first='Alantay' last='Dawson'] – 6'1″ / 2025 / MCS / BW Elite / Shooting Guard: </strong>Dawson is an attacking, downhill style guard. His deep bag of handles enables Dawson to blow past defenders with ease. Once he gets to the rim, he can finish in a number of creative ways. Dawson's floater game is an especially effective finishing tool. This junior also does a respectable job of working the offensive glass for second chance points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Richmond Heights (OH) vs. St. Joe's Prep…Tip-Off at 2:00PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1202209' first='Jalen' last='Harper'] – 6'4” / 2024 / St. Joe's Prep / [program_tooltip program_id='2078682' first='K-Low' last='Elite'] / Wing:</strong> We have been impressed with Harper for some time. Thus, we cannot figure out why he is not getting more widespread love. Harper is a walking bucket with the skills to score at every level and against any defensive scheme. The improvements we saw in his game this fall were extremely impressive and we expect him to shine bright in 2023-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Neumann-Goretti vs. Salesianum (DE)…Tip-Off at 3:45PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188626' first='Keon' last='Mtume-Long'] – 6'3″ / 2025 / Neumann-Goretti / BW Elite / Shooting Guard:</strong> Last season Mtume-Long (23 ppg.) was a 1st Team All-PPL selection out of Martin Luther King. For 2023-24, he has taken his versatile scoring talents to Neumann-Goretti of the PCL, and it will be interesting to watch him play in the most competitive league in the state. As a nice bonus to his perimeter scoring, Mtume-Long can push the rock on the fast break. He is also an excellent rebounding guard.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>George School vs. Life Center (NJ)…Tip-Off at 5:30PM</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2251712' first='Max' last='Kipper'] – 6'4″ / 2026 / George School / Jersey Force / Shooting Guard:</strong><em><strong> </strong></em>The first thing you notice about this high IQ lefty is the extensive collection of head / ball fakes that are incorporated into his game. Kipper frequently uses those tools to create space behind the arc for his highly accurate jump shot. But he is not a one trick pony. Kipper will use those same fakes to get a defender off balance so he can put the ball on the deck to get to his mid-range spots or all the way to cup.    <strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->