Philly Live II: New Jersey's Saturday Standouts Part I

Philly Live is a premier scholastic showcase held during the NCAA live period in Philadelphia, PA, hosted at the Alan Horwitz Sixth Man Center and Jefferson University. This past weekend marked the second session of the event, bringing together top high school basketball talent from across the country. New Jersey prospects stood out, proving they could compete with some of the nation's best. As a critical stop on the summer recruiting circuit, Philly Live gave college coaches and scouts a valuable chance to evaluate both up-and-coming players and established names. This session featured standout performances from rising prospects gaining momentum, as well as more prominent recruits solidifying their status among the region's elite. Here's a breakdown of several players who made a strong impact during Saturday's action in Philadelphia.    An exceptional catch and shoot threat, Matt Kennedy showcased his lethal shooting ability during Saturday's action. A versatile catch and shoot specialist, Kennedy shot the three ball at a high clip both off the catch and on the move coming off screens. Kennedy's shooting ability also opened up other offense for him— attacking closeouts and using his strong frame to finish through contact at the basket, also awarding Kennedy ample trips to the free throw line.     The engine behind Camden Catholic's offensive attack, [player_tooltip player_id='2304509' first='Seamus' last='Bieg'] found a nice and healthy balance between scoring and playmaking. Big caught fire early and maintained a nice rhythm, knocking down a handful of shots from three point range. Quick and poised with the ball in his hands, Bieg showcased his ability to be a reliable decision maker— kicking out to open shooters, hitting dump offs in the dunker spot, diving bigs to the basket, and hitting look aheads in transition. Bieg handled opposing ball pressure well and demonstrated his strong ball handling, rarely ever getting too sped up. Bieg also showed good instincts defensively, using his active hands to get his hands on passes.     Another head turning showing that saw him show more flashes of his intriguing upside, [player_tooltip player_id='2405359' first='Toussaint' last='Malukila'] demonstrated his ability to be effective out the low post. Malukila showcased his ability to catch, turn and finish around the basket— keeping it simple and being patient out the low post. Malukila also showed flashes of playmaking out the low post with his ability to find the open man out on the perimeter when the defense doubled him on the catch in the low post. Malukila was also active on the offensive glass, generating a lot of extra possessions for Paul VI.     Cherry Hill East's primary ball handler did an excellent job of handling the ball against opposing ball pressure Saturday morning. Abreu thrived at running the offense and finding his teammates open in halfcourt sets. Maintaining a healthy diet between playmaking and scoring, Abreu kept the defense honest and scored the basketball when the offense called for it— attacking off the bounce and finishing with toughness and craftiness while also showing flashes of his mid range shot making ability.     A strong showing that continued to demonstrate what makes him such an intriguing prospect at his size, [player_tooltip player_id='2107943' first='JP' last='Skoric'] showcased his intriguing combination of size and skill. Skoric showcased some of his guard skills— putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim both attacking closeouts in the halfcourt and in open floor scenarios while also showing he can consistently knock down outside shots. Skoric also tapped into his back to the basket game, showcasing his scoring and playmaking ability out of the low post. Defensively, Skoric used his length to be an effective rebounder and shot blocker.     A smooth and fluid shooter particularly off the catch, Gunther Neumann showcased his lethal shooting ability from three point range. Neumann also showed his ability to attack closeouts and finish with strength and toughness at the basket. Neumann also shined in the ways he was able to keep the ball moving in the flow of Delbarton's offense.     A strong showing Saturday saw [player_tooltip player_id='1595680' first='Mason' last='Santiago'] knock down open shots from three point range, with a little bit of range as well. Santiago also used his strong frame to attack off the bounce and finish through contact, ultimately getting to the free throw line what seemed like all game. A do it all guard, Santiago also excelled at contributing on the glass and keeping the ball moving in St. Peter's offense.     [player_tooltip player_id='2344528' first='Jamal' last='Dixon'] established and maintained a nice balance between scoring and playmaking both in the half court and in transition. A smooth downhill attacker, Dixon finished around the basket with strength through contact and with touch on different types of floaters. Dixon also threaded the needle on a handful of passes to find his open teammates. Dixon was also disruptive defensively, showing good instincts and playing with good anticipation.     Possessing a strong and bid bodied frame, [player_tooltip player_id='2348977' first='Marjon' last='Skillman'] used his physicality and strength to affect the game on both sides of the floor during Saturday's action. Skillman showcased the different ways he can put the ball in the basket in the low post and in the short corner— using his back to the basket game on the block, catching dump offs out the dunker spot from penetrating guards, diving to the rim, and even running the floor in transition. Skillman also made his presence known on the boards, coming down with rebounds on the offensive and defensive glass.     Alternating time between both guard spots, [player_tooltip player_id='2305481' first='Jaylen' last='Lewis'] found ways to be effective both running the point and scoring at the two. Lewis shouldered some of the ball handling duties, initiating offense and setting the table for the offense. Lewis was also effective off the ball, as a perimeter shot maker, particularly off the catch, knocking down plenty of open looks throughout the course of Saturday's action. Lewis also showed flashes of his creativity off the bounce and ability to get to the rim.

Philly Live is a premier scholastic showcase held during the NCAA live period in Philadelphia, PA, hosted at the Alan Horwitz Sixth Man Center and Jefferson University. This past weekend marked the second session of the event, bringing together top high school basketball talent from across the country. New Jersey prospects stood out, proving they could compete with some of the nation's best. As a critical stop on the summer recruiting circuit, Philly Live gave college coaches and scouts a valuable chance to evaluate both up-and-coming players and established names. This session featured standout performances from rising prospects gaining momentum, as well as more prominent recruits solidifying their status among the region's elite. Here's a breakdown of several players who made a strong impact during Saturday's action in Philadelphia.