National Prep Championship Standouts

The 16th annual National Prep Championship took place again this year, this time at Clark University in Worcester, MA, and brought together 16 of the top post graduate programs in the country to name an outright national champion. Hundreds of college coaches attended the event which has always been one of the best tournaments to recruit at, and this year was no different.   Putnam Science Academy (CT) came away as the national champs in thrilling fashion, winning their third straight championship and 4 of the last 5.   Here's a look at some of the standouts from the Pennsylvania and New Jersey programs in attendance.   If you're looking to replay any of the games, they are available for playback on the <a href="http://cbglivenetwork.com">CBG Live Network</a>.   [player_tooltip player_id='981596' first='Alexzaye' last='Johnson'] | 6'2” PG | St. Benedict's '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Johnson-Alexzaye.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Johnson-Alexzaye.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1849489" /></a></figure>   The former New Orleans commit reclassified to the 2023 class and helped lead St. Benedict's to a great season, and he's a guard that a lot of teams would love to have as he could come in immediately and help. The 6'2” lead guard is strong and always under control as he is able to get in the paint and play through contact, he plays with great pace and changes speeds well to keep defenders off balance and he's equally capable to score it and make plays for others with the ball in his hands. He can score the ball in a variety of ways and he sets the tone defensively as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1400487' first='Ladji' last='Dembele'] | 6'9” C | St. Benedict's '23   The Iowa commit showed why he has a chance to be very good in the Big 10, as he's a great fit for Fran McCaffery and the way the Hawkeyes play. Demeble is a big kid who has a good frame and is able to clear out space in the paint, he's athletic and gets up and down the floor and is an explosive finisher around the rim and he has good touch with both hands and always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. His shot from deep looks like it's going to improve over time and when he plays with a motor he's very difficult to stop.   [player_tooltip player_id='1158404' first='Bralyn' last='Smith'] | 6'5” WG | St. Benedict's '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/IMG_0764.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/IMG_0764.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1188657" /></a></figure>   The Siena commit was one of St. Benedict's top scorers in their three games, as he showed all the tools that will make him a prototypical wing at the next level. He has good positional size and is an above average athlete, he can knock down shots consistently from deep and has all the defensive tools to be a 3 and d guy from the jump next year. He has good upside with his athleticism and is a solid secondary ball handler, meaning he should be able to add to his game moving forward.   [player_tooltip player_id='1553647' first='Ademar' last='Santos'] | 6'7” WF | St. Benedict's '23   Santos came off as one of the more intriguing available wings and forwards that I saw, as he has great tools to go on and be a steal at the division one level moving forward. At 6'7” he has long arms and great size to be able to get his shot off with little to no space, he moves well off the ball and relocates to get open and he gets set quickly and has great form on his jump shot. On top of his ability to shoot it he rebounds well for his position and can handle the ball in transition and in limited dribbles in the half court too.   Priest Ryan | 6'6” PF | Perkiomen '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/Preist-Ryan.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/Preist-Ryan.jpg?w=1000" alt="" class="wp-image-1186791" /></a></figure>   Ryan was one of the best available forwards from a production standpoint, and his stock took a jump after Perkiomen went toe-to-toe with some very good teams and him being perhaps their most consistent player. While he's a little undersized as a four at 6'6” he's a mismatch with his athleticism and skill set on the perimeter, he's strong enough to guard and rebound in the post and quick enough to guard on the perimeter and he plays with a great motor making him productive across the board. He's the type of player who doesn't need a ton of plays called for him to make plays and he's going to do all the little things to help your team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1472574' first='Thomas' last='Haugh'] | 6'8” PF | Perkiomen '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Haugh-Thomas-WeR1-crop-3226x2118-1654714286-crop-640x421-1669838780.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Haugh-Thomas-WeR1-crop-3226x2118-1654714286-crop-640x421-1669838780.jpg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-1678720" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> </figcaption></figure>   The Florida commit is going to give the Gators something they don't have right now, and that's a versatile four man who is a mismatch and can make plays on both ends of the floor. At 6'8” he has long arms and is an explosive leaper around the rim, he can step out on the perimeter where he's a good shooter and passer and he is excellent in the mid-post area too where he can shoot the 18 footer or face up and put it on the deck. His ability to switch defensively and get out in transition on misses makes him that much more valuable too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1589152' first='Macon' last='Emory'] | 6'7” WF | Perkiomen '24   Emory came to Perkiomen from Blue Ridge in VA and reclassified to the 2024 class, and since he dealt with injuries at his last school and was healthy for most of this year the production level is starting to match the potential we always saw. At 6'7” he's a wiry wing who is starting to fill out in the upper body, he's an excellent shot maker who can get set on the move and knock them down on set plays ran for him and he can hit the one or two dribble pull-up when he's run off the line. His ability to make shots at his size is coupled with the fact he's a solid rebounder for his position and can challenge shots defensively and he's set up for a big summer this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1589108' first='DeMajh' last='Salisbery'] | 6'0” PG | Perkiomen '24   Salisbery is one of those lead guards that you can't seem to take your eyes off of because he's always finding a way to make a play for himself or his team. He's a pit bull of a defender who can sit down and make ball handlers uncomfortable and force turnovers, he's dynamic in transition where he can get to the rim and push the tempo to get his teammates open looks and he can create shots for himself and is a good option in late shot clock situations. He sets the tone and plays like he's shot out of a cannon and he never seems to take a play off.

The 16th annual National Prep Championship took place again this year, this time at Clark University in Worcester, MA, and brought together 16 of the top post graduate programs in the country to name an outright national champion. Hundreds of college coaches attended the event which has always been one of the best tournaments to recruit at, and this year was no different.