NY 2021 Rankings: Newcomers Pt. 3

<p>In our last edition of our NY Rankings Newcomers 2021 series, we continue to break down players who impressed so much, especially this past year during a pandemic, who flat out made us look silly by not including them in previous editions of our rankings.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1125655" first="Cherif" last="Diarra"] | PSA</strong></p> <p>When the news broke that [player_tooltip player_id="1125655" first="Cherif" last="Diarra"] would be heading over to PSA, there was considerable hype. Two previous family members of Cherif’s have attended PSA and then went on to have successful D1 careers. Diarra, who already bagged an offer from Gardner-Webb, is right to receive the hype, being a point guard who has an efficient shot, an accurate eye, and a great affinity to score at the rim.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1132417" first="Adam" last="Dudzinski"] | West Genesee</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1132417" first="Adam" last="Dudzinski"] has impressed extremely well this season. The 6’9 forward out of central New York has branded himself as a double-double machine (he recently put up 28 points and 16 rebounds) and college coaches have started to pay attention to the brand as well. Dudzinski is able to be a towering offender and defender in the paint, being able to be a forceful on the glass and on ball.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048403" first="Jaden" last="Pena"] | Xaverian</strong></p> <p>Xaverian is known for their two D1 caliber guards, [player_tooltip player_id="1047657" first="Nick" last="Folk"] and [player_tooltip player_id="945523" first="Shawn" last="Fulcher"], but slightly less known but just as deserving of the spotlight is their low-to-mid D1 budding star forward in [player_tooltip player_id="1048403" first="Jaden" last="Pena"]. Pena has the size and the strength to snag boards and flash middle, opening up opportunities, while he also can shift out to the corner and shoot, spacing the floor for the team.</p> <p><strong>Kacper Klazek | Long Island Lutheran</strong></p> <p>Kacper Klazek has gotten his fair share of D1 offers, and his strong play definitely supports the offers, made my Washing State and TCU, among others. Klazek is a guard who is growing into a forward, and has definitely become a leader on this year’s LuHi team, both on and off the court. Klazek has an exceptional jumper, a great vertical and dunk, and terrific basketball IQ.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1132418" first="Isiah" last="Sween"] | Central Islip</strong></p> <p>For Central Islip, the departure of star senior Ty-Shon Pannell would leave a gaping hole in Central Islip’s offense. [player_tooltip player_id="1132418" first="Isiah" last="Sween"] seemed like the most likely choice to take over the offense, but some had reservations. This year, Sween made sure to proved those who reserved wrong. Sween can carry a team and direct the offense, and even come through in bog moments for his team, such as a 31 point performance to crush Longwood.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1132415" first="Drissa" last="Traore"] | Long Island Lutheran</strong></p> <p>It’s been a big season for [player_tooltip player_id="1132415" first="Drissa" last="Traore"]. Where most seniors had to prove themselves to colleges, and some still have a ways to work toward, Drissa let his record do the talking, with him putting up an impressive Junior season where he was a star power forward for the state. This season, he has signed a letter of intent to join the St. John’s Red Storm, where he figures to be invaluable on college as well.</p>