Spring Grassroots: Preseason Top 10 SEPA 17U Teams
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With the “official” start of the spring 2024 grassroots circuit just a few weeks away, we thought now would be an appropriate time to assemble and reveal our preseason Top 10 rankings for 17U (2025) teams from southeastern Pennsylvania (and…
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Continue ReadingWith the “official” start of the spring 2024 grassroots circuit just a few weeks away, we thought now would be an appropriate time to assemble and reveal our preseason Top 10 rankings for 17U (2025) teams from southeastern Pennsylvania (and beyond).
1. Team Final EYBL: The TF 2025 squad is absolutely loaded with skilled prospects on the perimeter. Point guard Jake West Jake West 6'1" | PG William Penn Charter | 2025 State #193 Nation PA (1st Team All Inter-AC), as well as combo guard Deuce Maxey Deuce Maxey 6'2" | SG Archbishop Wood | 2025 State PA will combine with Westtown’s Jayden Forsythe Jayden Forsythe 6'4" | CG Westtown School | 2025 State #144 Nation PA to form an elite guard rotation. Athletic wing Jayden Kelsey Jayden Kelsey 6'6" | CG Westtown School | 2025 State PA (HM All-FSL) will be another DI prospect running on the perimeter. On the interior, this TF group will feature the Twin Towers of Matt Gilhool Matt Gilhool 6'11" | PF William Penn Charter | 2025 State #76 Nation PA (Inter-AC POY) and Tammar Brown Tammar Brown 6'11" | PF Rocktop Academy | 2025 State PA . Coming off a breakout 2023-24 high school season, Brown (10 ppg. & 15 rpg.) is one of the biggest stock risers in SEPA.
2. York Ballers: This roster boasts a trio of prospects who helped push Central York to the 6A state title – power forward Ben Rill Ben Rill 6'8" | PF Central York | 2025 State PA , point guard Ben Natal Ben Natal 6'2" | PG Central York | 2025 State PA and combo guard JoJo Woodard JoJo Woodard 5'11" | CG Central York | 2025 State PA . Running with those three PIAA champions will be 3-level scoring machine Wayne Fletcher II Wayne Fletcher II 6'2" | SG Central Dauphin | 2025 State PA (18.7 ppg. & 6 rpg.), stretch-4 Carter Wamsley Carter Wamsley 6'7" | PF Eastern York | 2025 State PA (1st Team All-YAIAA; offer from Towson) and athletic forward Elijah Espinosa Elijah Espinosa 6'8" | PF Red Lands | 2024 State PA (2nd Team All Mid-Penn Conf.; 12 ppg.). Scoring guard Chase Smucker Chase Smucker SG Lampeter-Strasburg | 2025 State PA (18 ppg.; 42% 3PA) is a talented prospect to watch as well.
3. Philly Pride UAA: Pride’s top team will feature a host of decorated guard prospects who are capable of filling it up. Shooting guard Jacob Nguyen Jacob Nguyen 6'3" | SG Spring Ford | 2025 State PA (1st Team All-PAC; multiple DI offers) is a 3-point sniper. Swiss Army knife playmaker Owen Schlager Owen Schlager 6'3" | CG Trinity | 2025 State PA (24 ppg.; 1st Team Mid-Penn Conf.) can score at all three levels. Athletic wing Cameron Wallace Cameron Wallace 6'5" | SF Westtown School | 2025 State PA (1st Team All-FSL; handful of DI offers) is a remarkable slasher who can score or distribute. Point guard Kevair Kennedy Kevair Kennedy 6'1" | PG Father Judge | 2025 State PA (17.6 ppg.; 1s Team All-PCL) was one of the top floor generals in region this winter. This group also has 6’6” small forward Donovan Fromhartz Donovan Fromhartz 6'5" | SF Downingtown West | 2025 State PA (1st Team All-Ches-Mont) as a mid-range threat.
4. Team Final Red EYCL: This intriguing team presents a fantastic mix of highly skilled bucket getters, developing big men and irreplaceable “glue guys”. Combo guard Jahrel Vigo Jahrel Vigo 6'1" | CG Allentown Central Catholic | 2025 State PA (19 ppg.; 1,000+ pts.), point guard Isaiah Marshall Isaiah Marshall 6'2" | CG Friends Select | 2025 State PA (1st Team All-FSL) and shooting guard Jaden Shipley Jaden Shipley 6'4" | CG Riverfront Sports Academy (RSA) | 2025 State PA (10 ppg.) will provide a lethal perimeter scoring attack. Meanwhile 6’10” center Lamine Sanoh Lamine Sanoh 6'9" | PF Executive Education ACS | 2024 State PA and power forward Khalid Osumane (NJ prospect) will hold down the interior. Spring Ford small forward Tommy Kelly Tommy Kelly 6'4" | SF Spring Ford | 2025 State PA as well as 6’6” hybrid-forward Charles Yartz (9 ppg. & 5 rpg.) from State College HS will provide mid-range scoring and handle the dirty work.
5. We R1 UAA: We R117s brings a solid blend of talented prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware to the court. On the perimeter, floor generals Tommy Vaughn, Jr Tommy Vaughn, Jr 5'11" | CG Phelps School | 2025 State PA (10 ppg.) and Gabe Tanner (several DI offers) will run the show. Impressive shooting guard Makhai Anderson (17 ppg. & 4.5 rpg.) will provide scoring from the wing. Doing damage on the interior will be 7-footer Justin Houser Justin Houser 7'0" | C Phelps School | 2025 State PA (handful of DI offers). 6’8” hybrid-forward Jayden Taylor (2nd Team Delaware All-State) will team up with Houser to dominate the paint. Standout Delaware prospect RJ Johnson (Salesianum) is also on this roster. Johnson is a 6’5”, 230-pound athlete with significant skills.
6. Philly Revolution HGSL
7. K-Low Elite 3SSB
8. Brad Wanamaker Elite HGSL
9. East Coast Power HGSL
10. NEPA Elite
Others receiving consideration: PA Coalition; PA Hoops Academy