Bronx Rankings: #14-#8

<p>With the seventh installment of Bronx rankings, we move to players who are no doubt ready to contribute at a D1 level, and most of whom have already received D1 scholarships. While they may not all reach the D1 level, it is believed that these guys will be more than capable in college.</p> <p><strong>Nyhem Garrett | Junior | Samuel Gompers</strong></p> <p>Every part of Nyhem Garret’s junior season for Samuel Gompers resembles that of a successful basketball guard. Garrett has the go-to quality, where he can be trusted to handle the ball in late game high leverage situations. Garret is able to drive to the rim at any time of the game, and usually is mistake-free, while he also has a trusted outside shot.</p> <p><strong>Jason Steele | Sophomore | Our Saviour Lutheran</strong></p> <p>Playing for the national powerhouse in OSL, it’s only natural for them to have multiple young, Division 1 caliber players, and Jason Steele fits the bill. He already received his first Division 1 offer, and with his great shooting and rim penetration, he seems in line to receive many more.</p> <p><strong>Omari Ward | Sophomore | Fordham Prep</strong></p> <p>The point guard, Ward has proven that he is worthy of leading an offense, as he has done so exceptionally for Fordham this season. Ward has the speed to break presses and convert key buckets, while his hands and feet give him elite perimeter defense capable of forcing fastbreaks from offensive miscues. Ward’s speed and handles allow him to take on multiple defenders, leaving others wide open.</p> <p><strong>Malachi Smith | Junior | St. Rays</strong></p> <p>All the qualities present in a textbook exceptional point guard can be found in Malachi Smith. Smith is able to preform lockdown defense and take on the opposing star, while he is not exactly useless on switches. Smith is able to take the offense all 94 feet, on both the break and slowly, and set up the offense to find an open lane or shot for himself or his team. In his upcoming senior season, Smith expects to make waves in the CHSAA.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="945526" first="Steven" last="Turner"] | Junior | South Bronx Prep</strong></p> <p>Say what you want about PSAL’s B division, but [player_tooltip player_id="945526" first="Steven" last="Turner"] proved this season that players in the B division can have just as high of a ceiling as those in the A division. Turner has been doing nothing but carry South Bronx Prep on its back, scoring whenever necessary and doing everything, from find open men to rebound over anyone to picking up every position on defense.</p> <p><strong>Nate Boateng | Sophomore | Fordham</strong></p> <p>After a big sophomore season by Nate Boateng, Boateng finds himself at the top of the basketball ladder as a rising young star. At 6’5”, Boateng is an undersized big man, but he gets the job done well. Boateng has a great vertical, and he knows how to use it, rising to the rim to snag rebounds or slam down dunks, while his elite paint defense and up and coming shot only add to his stock.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787646" first="Jaquan" last="Sanders"] | Sophomore | Our Saviour Lutheran</strong></p> <p>Sophomores aren’t expected to be major contributors on a varsity team, let alone a major, national powerhouse in OSL. Sanders has been already raking in college offers, and with his accurate shot going from the midrange to deep three point range, as well as his elite playmaking abilities to command his team in basically any offensive situation, expect Sanders to only get better from here.</p>