NYC PSAL: 2021 All-Sophomore Team
While this year’s PSAL featured dazzling performances by seniors and juniors, the citywide league had many promising sophomores who would be the future stars of the league. Today, we take a look at some of the best sophomores who have…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWhile this year’s PSAL featured dazzling performances by seniors and juniors, the citywide league had many promising sophomores who would be the future stars of the league. Today, we take a look at some of the best sophomores who have mountains of potential and excitement ahead.
Starters
Donnell Campbell | Murry Bergtraum | 12.4ppg 11.7rpg 8.0apg
Donnell Campbell made himself stand out on a stacked team this year at Murry Bergtraum. On a team with some of the finest league stars, Campbell almost averaged a triple-double while helping his team earn an undefeated regular-season record. Campbell has definitely shown that he can be a future star in this league.
Trashawn Reynolds | Albert Tuitt | 25.1ppg 7.6rpg 6.6apg
Trashawn Reynolds excelled this season, leading his team both on the court and off the court. He has shown good fundamentals, poise, athleticism, and most importantly finesse this season as he went on to lead the team in scoring, and to a 13-2 regular-season record. If this is what Reynolds can do as a sophomore, teams should be cowering about what to expect for the next two seasons.
Cosby Napoleon | Erasmus Hall | 22.0ppg 11.0rpg 3.0apg
Cosby Napoleon has shown a sky of potential this season, leading his team in scoring and averaging a double-double to earn his team a 14-4 record. Napoleon’s talent has already been noted, with some Division I teams taking a look at him this season. What’s more, Napoleon has shown that he can shine in the bright lights, increasing his scoring to 29 points per game in the playoffs, showing that he will do everything he can to try and win his team a championship. While they didn’t net the hardware this season, a team featuring Napoleon will always be in the conversation for a championship.
Davin Francis| William E. Grady | 18.3ppg 12.2rpg 2.6apg
Davin Francis exceeded almost every expectation of him coming into the 2020 season, and for good reason too. He showed the ability to score, from almost anywhere on the court, and he proved himself as a reliable post threat. He showed dominance in the paint, and when he went up for a rebound, he most likely would come down with it, on both ends of the floor. Looking ahead to next season, expect Francis to step up when he will fill holes made vacant by graduating seniors.
Weatland Johnson | All City Leadership | 17.4ppg 15.2rpg 2.5apg
Weatland Johnson showed that he can play with the big boys. As only a sophomore, he was able to tower over most players on the court. He used his height to his advantage too. He would often establish his dominance early in the game in the post, and continue to put in high-percentage shots the whole game. Although big, he would flash guard qualities, demonstrating his speed, athleticism, court vision and playmaking.
Bench
Maalik Ellis | Bronx Studio | 22.2ppg 7.9rpg 1.7apg
Maalik Ellis too led his team in scoring, and it was he who had to pull out of tough games. While his team only had a 3-13 record, Ellis himself stayed in every night and made the most of every opportunity. He showed speed, professionalism, toughness, and made it a personal feature to be able to get to the line and score from there, attempting 100 free throws on the season. Ellis has proven that he is ready for top competition at the varsity level, and with a couple more pieces around him, he could turn Bronx Studio into a contender.
Savior Carroll | Community Health | 13.5ppg 7.6rpg 6.1apg
Savior Carroll has shown that he can do something that is becoming rarer in high school: pass. Carroll has demonstrated that he can see the floor and set up the open man, which often leads to him being set up to score as well. Carroll has also flashed grit, speed, and most importantly, a significant three-point shot, and being able to make clutch buckets as needed.
Jeremy Hernandez | Urban Assembly for the Performing Arts | 15.6ppg 3.1rpg 4.5apg
Jeremy Hernandez has shown that he can be the point guard of a team. The point guard is supposed to act as the on-court coach and the quarterback, and Hernandez has shown he is up for the job. Hernandez has shown superb passing, playmaking, speed, athleticism and shooting throughout the season. Hernandez has also shown he can convert when fouled, leading the league in free throw percentage.
Jerson Romero Diaz | Academy for Language | 17.2ppg 8.2rpg 2.6apg
Jerson Romero Diaz proved he can play with the highest level of player, with his team being in the division of stacked teams such as AA champion Eagle Academy. Despite this, Diaz was still able to take charge of the floor and still make his presence known, showing off elite scoring, athleticism, and grit.
Tyler Hart | Eleanor Roosevelt | 16.1ppg 2.9rpg 2.4apg
Tyler Hart is the definition of a scorer. Also competing in a stacked division, Hart was able to score from all places on the floor. Fastbreak, traffic, mid-range, three-point, Hart demonstrate that he has the skills to be a scorer in the PSAL. He has shown that he can score, even against the league’s best defenders.
Justin Hawkins | Pathways College Prep | 18.6ppg 12.4rpg 1.7apg
Hawkins showed that he can be part of something greater this year. At Pathways College Prep, he helped them to a superb 11-3 record in regular-season play. He also demonstrated the right abilities that a big man should have. He showed strength, vertical, post scoring, and post defending throughout the season, and was one of the most formidable rim protectors in the league.
Jordan Williams | Environmental Studies | 18.6ppg 12.4rpg 1.7apg
This season, Jordan Williams showed that he can lead the team. He led the team in both points and rebounds, and helped earn their victories and pull them out of their losses in an 8-8 season. He demonstrated his ability to take command of the paint on both offense and defense, but also allowed his team to run nifty motion offenses with his ability to space the floor and become a spot-up shooter.