June Scholastic Live Period: Additional First Weekend Standouts

The first scholastic live period of the 2025 NCAA recruiting calendar marked a significant moment for New Jersey high school basketball, as programs gathered at different showcases to compete in front of hundreds of college coaches. Between the NJBCA Jersey Live Showcase, the Philly Live Showcase, and the Mid-Atlantic Independent Team Camp, we saw prospects from all over the state deliver standout performances. Highlighting both emerging under the radar prospects and already established recruits who continued to live up to their reputation, let's dive into prospects who impressed over the course of last weekend's action.    A strong showing in front of a ton of HM coaches over the weekend, [player_tooltip player_id='1595675' first='Julius' last='Avent'] showcased his ability to score the basketball from different areas on the court. Avent was effective out the short corner area showcasing his ability to finish around the basket both through contact and with touch around the rim. Avent also demonstrated his ability to create off the dribble and get to his in between game. In addition, Avent also showcased his ability to knock down outside shots from three point range. Avent was also effective in transition— grabbing rebounds on the defensive end and pushing the break and initiating offense. With terrific size and length, Avent also guarded multiple positions and was effective both containing drives and as a shot blocker.     A reliable guard in St. Mary's backcourt, [player_tooltip player_id='2763609' first='Jake' last='Ellis'] demonstrated his ability to be both a reliable ball handler and confident shot maker. Ellis did a good job of handling the basketball and getting his teammates involved in the offense. Ellis also thrived as a shot maker both from three point range and in the mid range area as well, knocking down shots consistently over the course of the weekend.     A combo guard that's reliable playing either guard spot for Bergen Catholic, [player_tooltip player_id='2347952' first='Jahlil' last='Owusu'] showcased his ability over the weekend to be a efficient scorer— getting in the paint area and utilizing good footwork, shot fakes, and touch around the rim to finish in different ways around the basket. Owusu also showed flashes of being a willing passer in Bergen's offense and keeping the ball moving, passing up good shots for better shots.     A do it all guard, Reed Flood demonstrated his ability to be effective doing a variety of different things on the floor, both offensively and defensively. Flood showcased his ability to knock down open shots from three point range while also being a willing passer that doesn't hold the ball. Defensively, Flood played super hard and competed really well— pressuring the ball out on the perimeter and playing the passing lanes really well. Flood also rebounded the ball really well for his position.     [player_tooltip player_id='2891205' first='Stephen' last='Siaw'] showcased he can really shoot the three ball at high clip. The left handed sharpshooter has a quick and smooth release that he gets off in a hurry. Siaw also shined defensively as an intense on ball defender that contained drives and pressured the ball out on the perimeter at a disruptive rate.     A capable shot maker, [player_tooltip player_id='2505361' first='Sidd' last='Narayanabhatla'] demonstrated his ability to knock down shots both from three point range and in the mid range area. Narayanabhatla also handled the basketball with good composure and confidence and also made good decisions as a ball handler. Narayanabhatla also used his strong frame to finish around the basket when he got in the paint.     Isiah Pennyfather shined as a dangerous perimeter threat over the weekend. Pennyfather knocked down the three ball at a high clip both off the catch and coming off screens. Pennyfather also thrived making good decisions as a connective passer in Franklin's offense. Defensively, Pennyfather showed good instincts and played with really good anticipation.     Over the course of last weekend, [player_tooltip player_id='2478635' first='Andrew' last='Balagot'] was a frequent paint toucher that finished with craftiness around the basket. Balagot also demonstrated his ability to be a shot maker both out on the perimeter and in the mid range area for Scotch Plains' offense.     A knockdown perimeter shooter, Gabe Kielb demonstrated his ability to be a lights out three point shooter. Kielb also showed his ability to be a willing passer that kept the ball moving in the flow of Ridge's offense. A strong straight line driver, Kielb did a good job of finishing through contact at the basket. Kielb played with toughness and competitiveness throughout the whole weekend.     Over the course of the weekend, [player_tooltip player_id='2763527' first='Chris' last='Abreu'] did a good job of not only scoring the basketball but also thrived in his ability to rebound the basketball well for his position and distribute the basketball. Abreu maintained a healthy balance between taking shots in the flow of Cherry Hill East's offense and keeping the ball moving to get his teammates more involved in the offense. Abreu also played with a tremendous motor and made a handful of hustle plays over the weekend.

The first scholastic live period of the 2025 NCAA recruiting calendar marked a significant moment for New Jersey high school basketball, as programs gathered at different showcases to compete in front of hundreds of college coaches. Between the NJBCA Jersey Live Showcase, the Philly Live Showcase, and the Mid-Atlantic Independent Team Camp, we saw prospects from all over the state deliver standout performances. Highlighting both emerging under the radar prospects and already established recruits who continued to live up to their reputation, let's dive into prospects who impressed over the course of last weekend's action.