Login Subscribe
    • Players/Parents
    • College Coaches
  • Choose Your State Middle School Coverage
    Alabama
    Arizona
    Arkansas
    California
    Colorado
    Dakotas
    Delaware
    Florida
    Georgia
    Idaho
    Illinois
    Indiana
    Iowa
    Kansas
    Kentucky
    Louisiana
    Maryland
    Michigan
    Minnesota
    Missouri
    Nebraska
    Nevada
    New England
    New Jersey
    New Mexico
    New York
    North Carolina
    Ohio
    Oklahoma
    Oregon
    Pennsylvania
    South Carolina
    Tennessee
    Texas
    Utah
    Virginia
    Washington
    West Virginia
    Wisconsin
  • Loading...
  • Loading...
  • Tournaments
    • Prep Hoops Prep Hoops
    • Prep Hoops Next Prep Hoops Next
    Showcases
    • The Expo The Expo
    About Our Events
  • Prep Hoops for
    • Players
    • Parents
    • Club Coaches
    • High School Coaches
    • College Coaches
    • Fans
    View All Features
    • Player Profiles Build your own profile and join the Prep Hoops database.
    • Coverage Access Prep Hoops articles year-round without ads.
    • Rankings See how players stack up in each state.
    • Coach Views Get notified when a college coach views your profile.
    • Profile Trends Track your Player Profile views over time.
    • Recruiting Tasks Stay on-track in the recruiting process.
    • Recruiting Dashboard All your recruiting tools in a single place.
    • College Match Recommends colleges that match with your profile.
    • Coach Contacts Contact any program in the country.
    • Recruiting Tips Become an expert on the recruiting process.
    • Event Credits Save $25 on all Prep Hoops showcases.
    • College Email Templates Send customized emails directly to college coaches.
    • Scouts
    • How We Rank
    • Reviews
    • About Us
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rankings
    • How We Rank

    • Archived Rankings

    • 2026 Rankings

    • 2027 Rankings

    • 2028 Rankings

  • Club Programs
  • Player Database
  • Scouts
  • Home
  • Coverage
      Choose Your State Middle School Coverage
      Alabama
      Arizona
      Arkansas
      California
      Colorado
      Dakotas
      Delaware
      Florida
      Georgia
      Idaho
      Illinois
      Indiana
      Iowa
      Kansas
      Kentucky
      Louisiana
      Maryland
      Michigan
      Minnesota
      Missouri
      Nebraska
      Nevada
      New England
      New Jersey
      New Mexico
      New York
      North Carolina
      Ohio
      Oklahoma
      Oregon
      Pennsylvania
      South Carolina
      Tennessee
      Texas
      Utah
      Virginia
      Washington
      West Virginia
      Wisconsin
  • Events
      Tournaments
      • Prep Hoops Prep Hoops
      • Prep Hoops Next Prep Hoops Next
      Showcases
      • The Expo The Expo
      About Our Events
  • Rankings
      Loading...
  • Scores
      Loading...
  • Features
      Prep Hoops for
      • Players
      • Parents
      • Club Coaches
      • High School Coaches
      • College Coaches
      • Fans
      View All Features
      • Player Profiles Build your own profile and join the Prep Hoops database.
      • Coverage Access Prep Hoops articles year-round without ads.
      • Rankings See how players stack up in each state.
      • Coach Views Get notified when a college coach views your profile.
      • Profile Trends Track your Player Profile views over time.
      • Recruiting Tasks Stay on-track in the recruiting process.
      • Recruiting Dashboard All your recruiting tools in a single place.
      • College Match Recommends colleges that match with your profile.
      • Coach Contacts Contact any program in the country.
      • Recruiting Tips Become an expert on the recruiting process.
      • Event Credits Save $25 on all Prep Hoops showcases.
      • College Email Templates Send customized emails directly to college coaches.
  • About Us
      • Scouts
      • How We Rank
      • Reviews
      • About Us
  • Support
Login Subscribe

Sleeper Prospects from May’s Grassroots Circuits

Sleeper Prospects from May’s Grassroots Circuits
Jake Scherzer (2027). Photo: (@ndfilmz_)
Carey Smith
Carey Smith
May 30, 2025 @ 10:26 PM
Facebook
X (Formerly Twitter)

In this article:

Amon Hawthorne
Amon Hawthorne 6'1" | PG | 2026
PA
Jake Scherzer
Jake Scherzer 6'1" | CG/SG | 2027
PA
Yariel Gonzalez
Yariel Gonzalez 6'4" | SF | 2027
PA
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of prospects who played outstanding ball in May, but for some reason they are still being slept on by college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College coaches need to wake up and contact these players immediately. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2427239"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683a769238227"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gonzalez is an athletic, speedy, and versatile backcourt prospect with the ability to play above the rim. That list of assets enabled Gonzalez to thrive in the open court on the May circuit. He filled lanes and then finished with authority and pushed the rock himself for scores or assists. Gonzalez proved to be a skilled half-court player too, as he burst past defenders off the dribble for floaters and lay-ins. Additionally, Gonzalez showed that he the IQ and court awareness to dive to the cup for scores or slash back door for for lay-ins.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2949804' first='Amon' last='Hawthorne'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Penn Hills","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Caveman Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683a7692382e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a monster junior year in which he averaged 18 points to go along with 5 assists per game and was named the Section 2-5A POY, Hawthorne played impressive ball during May's grassroots action. Hawthorne is a speedy and skilled point guard who can score as well as facilitate for teammates. His high IQ and unselfish nature enable Hawthorne to balance his own scoring opportunities with getting teammates involved. When he is looking to get buckets, Hawthorne is extremely difficult to stop because he can score in a multitude of ways. Hawthorne can lace threes from all over the floor. He can also get into the paint off the dribble for lay-ins or come to a jump stop and then score off two feet. The trifecta of Hawthorne's change of direction / pace handles, quickness and instinctive decision-making combine to make him a transition phenom.        </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Justin Mayers ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Scranton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2245515' first='NEPA' last='Elite'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683a769238384"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mayers owns the size and frame of a guard, but he plays more like a crafty and tenacious small forward. He excels at catching the rock in the mid-range, turning to face the hoop, and then attacking the rim off one or two dribbles. Mayers can also score on baseline drives and work the offensive glass for put backs. In all these scenarios, Mayers has shown the ability to convert through significant contact. He also is comfortable operating on the perimeter where he has flashed a solid three-point stroke. Additionally, college coaches will love Mayers activity on the defensive end and his non-stop motor.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2427323"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683a7692383e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Two weekends ago this three-point sniper helped push FCP 16U to a 5-0 record at the Spring Jam Fest. Scherzer's jumper possesses a quick release and logo distance range. He was especially effective coming off screen action, but Scherzer also knocked down transition threes as well as spot up triples. When opponents manage to chase Scherzer of the arc, he got to his mid-range spot off the dribble for pull ups and runners or all the way to the tin for lay-ups. Plus, Scherzer displayed a high IQ and excellent court vision as his creative passes repeatedly found teammates for easy buckets.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

Below is a review of prospects who played outstanding ball in May, but for some reason they are still being slept on by college coaches.

Yariel Gonzalez

Yariel Gonzalez

PA
SF
HEIGHT 6'4"
POS SF
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Yariel
Gonzalez SF
Class
2027
Height
6'4"
HS
Allentown Central Catholic
|
PA
Sleeper Prospects from May’s Grassroots Circuits
Gonzalez is an athletic, speedy, and versatile backcourt prospect with the ability to play above the rim. That...
Written by Carey Smith
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Yariel Gonzalez

State: Pennsylvania
School: Allentown Central Catholic
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">Sleeper Prospects from May’s Grassroots Circuits</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(247,101,23, 0.95) 0%,rgba(247,101,23, 1) 100%)">
            <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/05/sleeper-prospects-from-mays-grassroots-circuits/" class="link-wrap">
                                    <span class="player-img"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Jake-Scherzer-2027-crop-895x588-1748661860.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="Sleeper Prospects from May’s Grassroots Circuits"></span>
                
                <span class="player-details">
                    <span class="first-name">Sleeper</span>
                    <span class="last-name">Prospects from May’s Grassroots Circuits</span>
                    <span class="measurables">
                                            </span>
                                    </span>
                <span class="player-rank">
                                                        </span>
                                    <span class="state-abbr"></span>
                            </a>

            
        </span>
    </span>

Amon Hawthorne Amon Hawthorne 6'1" | PG Penn Hills | 2026 State PA

HEIGHT 6'4"
POS PG
CLASS 2026

Amon Hawthorne Amon Hawthorne 6'1" | PG Penn Hills | 2026 State PA

School: Penn Hills
Club: Caveman Academy
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Justin Mayers

Justin Mayers

HEIGHT 5'11"
POS SF
CLASS 2028

Justin Mayers

School: Scranton
Club: NEPA Elite
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Jake Scherzer

Jake Scherzer

PA
CG/SG
HEIGHT 6'1"
POS CG/SG
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Jake
Scherzer CG/SG
Class
2027
Height
6'1"
HS
Upper Dublin
|
PA
Sleeper Prospects from May’s Grassroots Circuits
Two weekends ago this three-point sniper helped push FCP 16U to a 5-0 record at the Spring Jam...
Written by Carey Smith
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Jake Scherzer

Instagram Twitter
State: Pennsylvania
School: Upper Dublin
Club: Full Court Philly
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Prep Hoops

Access all of Prep Hoops

Continue reading this article and more.

Continue Reading
Already a subscriber? Log in

Rankings

363 Players Ranked

  • 1
    Sammy Jackson

    Sammy Jackson

    Roman Catholic

    VCU
  • 2
    Ethan Johnston

    Ethan Johnston

    Hill School

    Marquette
  • 3
    Derrick Morton-Rivera

    Derrick Morton-Rivera

    Father Judge

  • 4
    Zaahir Muhammad-Gray

    Zaahir Muhammad-Gray

    Imhotep Charter

  • 5
    Darnell Lloyd

    Darnell Lloyd

    Perkiomen School

View Full Rankings

Related Articles

  • October Rankings Update: Who moved up the rankings in Pennsylvania’s 2027 class?

    October Rankings Update: Who moved up the rankings in Pennsylvania’s 2027 class?

    Prep Hoops Staff • October 8

  • Updated 2027 Pennsylvania Rankings

    Updated 2027 Pennsylvania Rankings

    Prep Hoops Staff • October 8

  • PBC Fall League Gateway 10/6 Standouts

    PBC Fall League Gateway 10/6 Standouts

    Tom Keller • October 7

  • The Challenge: 2027 Stock Risers

    The Challenge: 2027 Stock Risers

    Colby Giacubeno • October 7

  • MADE East HSA: 2028 frontcourt eye-catchers (Day 1)

    MADE East HSA: 2028 frontcourt eye-catchers (Day 1)

    Ari Rosenfeld • October 7

Loading...
Home Pennsylvania Sleeper Prospects from May's Grassroots Circuits

Prep Network

  • Prep Network
  • Prep Dig
  • Prep Girls Hoops
  • Prep Hoops
  • Prep Lacrosse
  • Prep Redzone
  • Prep Soccer
  • Prep Softball

Company

  • News
  • About
  • Careers
  • Store
  • Partner Interest Form

Resources

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Cookie Policy
  • NCSA College Recruiting
  • Recruiting Tips
  • Student Loan Resources
  • College Scholarship Search

Support

  • My Account
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Prep Hoops. All rights reserved.