Suburban Philly Top Performers: Uncommitted 2021s – Part II
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Obviously the Covid-19 pandemic had a tremendous negative impact on recruiting for Pennsylvania’s Class of 2021. Last March, the PIAA state basketball tournament was halted. Then the spring grassroots circuit was canceled. Summer and Fall 2020 presented a very limited…
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Continue ReadingObviously the Covid-19 pandemic had a tremendous negative impact on recruiting for Pennsylvania’s Class of 2021. Last March, the PIAA state basketball tournament was halted. Then the spring grassroots circuit was canceled. Summer and Fall 2020 presented a very limited AAU scene. This winter, the 2020-21 high school basketball season was first delayed, and then shortened. The result of a year’s worth of limited exposure for current seniors is that suburban Philadelphia’s Class of 2021 still boasts a slew of high level prospects who have yet to commit to a college basketball program.
Last week we posted Part I in this series. Today we present Part II in our list of elite 2021 prospects from the Philly suburbs who are still uncommitted.
Luke Dicianno Luke Dicianno 6'4" | SG Plymouth Whitemarsh | 2021 State PA – 6’3” / Plymouth-Whitemarsh / Wing: DiCianno is an athletic, highly skilled and versatile prospect. He can splash threes via the spot up or off pick action. When he’s out on the break, DiCianno plays downhill and won’t hesitate flush on a defender’s head. In the half-court, DiCianno can use the bounce to attack the paint and then score via the pull up jumper or finish at the rim equally with either hand. At times DiCianno can morph into a point-forward style player and facilitate for teammates. A 1st Team All-Suburban One Liberty Division selection, this winter DiCianno pumped in 16 points per game and had multiple 20-point games. This past season DiCianno also did a solid job on the boards (6 rpg.) as he helped guide PW to a 14-4 record and the SOL league title.
Aaron Lemon-Warren Aaron Lemon-Warren 6'4" | SF Archbishop Ryan | 2021 State PA – 6’5” / Archbishop Ryan / Wing: When Lemon-Warren broke his foot in January 2020 and unfortunately ended his season, he was leading the Philadelphia Catholic League in scoring at 24 ppg. In 2020-21 this elite 3-level scoring machine returned with a vengeance. Lemon-Warren averaged 18.8 points and 8 rebounds while shooting 53% from field and 36% from three. That impressive stat line earned him 2020-21 PCL 1st Team All-League status. Lemon-Warren owns a high basketball IQ and will not hesitate to take advantage of mismatches on the perimeter or around the basket. Lemon-Warren is also a very good passer and rebounder. He and Christian Tomasco Christian Tomasco 6'9" | PF Archbishop Ryan | 2021 State PA pushed Archbishop Ryan to District 12 championship and a runner-up finish in the PIAA 5A state tournament. In the 5A state semifinal game Lemon-Warren had a monster night — 36 points (15-17 FGAs) and 11 rebounds. He holds offers from numerous schools including Richmond and St. Louis.
Lewis Robinson Lewis Robinson 5'11" | CG Radnor | 2021 State PA – 5’11”/ Radnor / Combo Guard: This ultra-quick combo guard and 1,000 point scorer has been a starter at Radnor since he was a freshman. This season Robinson was Radnor’s No. 1 option, so weak side defenses shaded hard to the paint in order to keep him from getting to the rim. That strategy did not work very well as Robinson still scored 13.8 ppg. and shot 48% from the floor. Robinson excels in transition where his elite speed allows him to easily beat most defenders down the floor. On the rare occasion where a defender is able to get back and provide some resistance, Robinson has the ability to absorb contact and still finish at the rim. Additionally, a very solid mid-range game is part of Robinson’s bag of tricks. His lateral quickness and elite speed make Robinson a menace at the defensive end of the floor.
Trevor Tipton Trevor Tipton 6'5" | PF Phil-Mont Christian | 2021 State PA – 6’3” / Phil-Mont Christian / Combo Guard: A varsity starter since the half way point of his freshman year, Tipton had a breakout season in 2019-20 and then continued to impress during the limited Covid season. Using a liquid jump shot as his primary weapon, Tipton posted 16 ppg. this winter while pushing PMC to the District 1-1A championship. During the 2020-21 season, PMC’s 3-point ace hit for 3 or more threes in 10 contests. As a junior he once splashed home 7 threes in a game. Over the last two years, Tipton shot 39% from deep and tallied a combined 120+ made threes. In addition to his elite shooting, Tipton owns a high basketball IQ, solid handles and rebounds well for a guard (4 rpg.). Tipton has twice been a 1st Team All-BAL Constitution Conference selection and after this season he was unanimously selected as the MVP of the conference. In the PIAA 1A state tournament quarterfinals, Tipton put on an amazing show, scoring 21 points on 5 made threes.
Karell Watkins Karell Watkins 6'5" | PF Chester | 2021 State PA – 6’4” / Chester / Wing: Over the last two years Watkins has collected enough basketball accolades – two-time 1st team All-Del-Val League; 2019-20 Delaware County POY; 2019-20 2nd team PIAA 6A All-State selection; and 1,400+ point scorer – that he may be the most decorated uncommitted senior in Pennsylvania. In the near future a very lucky college coach is going to sign an elite prospect who can score at all 3 levels, but is especially lethal in transition. This season Watkins averaged a double-double — 22.4 ppg. and 12.8 rpg. His stellar senior year included a 30 points and 19 rebounds regular season game and a 24 & 12 effort in Chester’s District 1-5A title game win. In February 2021 Watkins scored a career high 43 points vs. Interboro. His ball hawk instincts, work ethic and leaping ability allow Watkins to be a relentless force on the boards. He recorder two games this winter with 20 or more rebounds and ended his career as Chester’s all-time rebounds leader (781). At the defensive end, Watkins is very quick athlete with good anticipation skills who grabbed countless steals this season (3.2 spg.).
Part III in this series will be posted later his week.