Here's an update on every New Yorker getting BUCKETS in the NCAA!
Over 30 of NY's realest D1 hoopers below!
With March right around the corner, we decided to roll out some updates for a bunch of the best college hoopers from NY. This is not in any sort of order! Enjoy and let us know who we should cover next at Grittyvibes@gmail.com
Matt Scott - Niagara
If you'd like to see the college version of James Harden, simply look up some Matt Scott highlights. The lefty is SHIFTY, has a sick offensive arsenal and is leading his Purple Eagles in what has been a great season. He's averaging a big time 20 a game to go with 7 boards. Scott has gotten enough buckets in his career, and we have a feeling that getting that conference ring is much more important this time around.
Christian Vital - UCONN
Uconn hasn't been very good this year, but that's been by no fault of Christian Vital. The Huskies have the potential to turn the corner as evidenced by their win against SMU in which Vital dropped 20. Needless to say, his squad is much better as a unit when he's ballin out. He's posted averages of 14 and 5 boards thus far.
Jahlil Tripp - Pacific
Tripp took his game out west, but his hard nose style of play is definitely Brooklyn's own. He's displayed a balanced all around game in his first D1 season, averaging 10 points, but that's not what's most impressive about him. He leads his team in rebounds and assists and brings the intensity every night.
Noah Morgan - Farleigh Dickinson
Morgan has had a solid freshman year so far, as evidenced by the NEC freshman of the week award he hauled in recently. He's averaging close to 10 a game, and just hung 15 in a win against Robert Morris.
Jaheam Cornwall - Gardner Webb
Cornwall has hit his stride at Gardner Webb, recently becoming the Big South Freshman of the week. His last three games he's put up 14, 19 and 17. Cornwall's improvement is becoming more apparent with each passing game.
Ray Salnave - Monmouth
After a year of sitting and waiting, Ray has been ballin out at Monmouth this year and he's only been getting better. As the Hawks have increased his usage, his stats have steadily climbed as well. The smooth point guard's averaged 15 in his last four games.
Dimencio Vaughn - Rider
After tearing his ACL nine games into his freshman season, Vaughn has returned even better and he's already making his presence felt early. The combo forward is putting up a rough and rugged 14 and 6 a game, highlighted by a recent 23 points, 3 blocks, 3 steals, 8 rebound masterpiece in a win against Manhattan.
Jose Alvarado - Georgia Tech
It's been a rough year for Georgia Tech but that's by no fault of their freshman point guard. Alvarado has proven to be a young leader for the bunch, often leading them in scoring, assists and steals. He's putting up around 13 points to go along with 4 boards and three dimes on the year. If surrounded with talent going forward, he'll soon be a name to remember in the ACC.
Nick Richards - Kentucky
Richards has been an interesting case. He's been the starting big man on a largely disappointing Kentucky squad this year. While he needs to work on his offensive game some more, he is still projected to go to the league next year in most draft charts. Whether he's ready or not is a different story. Currently, he's solid defensively, on the boards, and displayed some great athleticism.
Kyle Alman - Cal State Fullerton
We were huge on Allman before the year but his improvement continues to ascend rapidly. He's averaging 19 a game and now has a 40 point game on his resume. We just did a write up on him, so we won't say much. Just know that he's killing over in Cali.
Isaiah Washington - Minnesota
We've been verbal supporters, of letting Jelly Fam's Co Founder find his footing and adjust accordingly to the college game. While he may have gotten off to a rocky start due to tough shot selection and decision making, the recent, 26 point explosion may be a sign of what's to come for Zay. In our opinion, he's at his best when he's dishing and making his teammates better. This was evidenced by his last game, where his eight dimes earned his squad a win, and himself a nod for Big Ten's Freshman Of The Week.
Mo Bamba - Texas
Bamba has been as advertised this year. He's successfully used his freakish length to block shots at a high rate and make some jaw dropping plays on offense as well. He does have to polish up his offensive skills but his defensive instincts alone won't have him sitting long on draft night.
Hamidou Diallo - Kentucky
After starting the year off with an expectedly explosive dose of highlight reel dunks and a pleasantly surprising outside shot, Hami has struggled big down the stretch of the season. The Wildcats just don't have the juice this year and as a result, a number of their player's confidence levels have wavered. Diallo most recently went scoreless and played just 13 minutes in a loss versus Tennessee. He is one of the most gifted players in the country, but he'll need to find his swagger back quick if the Wildcats will have a chance in March.
Devonte Green - Indiana
Green has shown steady improvement in his second season as his minutes have ramped up. Although he can catch heat at any minute as evidenced by his recent 20 point outburst against Ohio State, the key for him is consistency and efficiency. If he can begin to string together a number of these types of performances, the Hoosiers would benefit greatly.
Rich Williams - Manhattan
As an 1000 point scorer and one of the few Jaspers with deep post season experience, it's clear that Manhattan will go as far as Rich Williams takes them. After missing an entire year due to injury, he's made his return this year and hasn't lost a step. He's averaging a strong 13 points, 4 board and almost three dimes a game.
Rasheem Dunn - St Francis
Dunn has cemented himself as arguably the best player on a St Francis team that is ranked 3rd in the NEC. He's fresh off of a grind it out win against Robert Morris in which he put up 16 points, 7 boards and 2 steals. He'll be a major key in the team's conference tourney push.
Wes Myers - South Carolina
The Gamecocks have a thing for hard-nosed Brooklyn guards, and the former Boys & Girls stud is their latest installment. His stats may not be what they were when he was the star at Maine, but he's playing at a high level for a very good team. He plays even better in big games, as evidenced by his huge performances in wins against Florida and Kentucky.
Ty Jerome - Virginia
As this article heads to press, Virginia is the #1 team in the NATION and Jerome is a huge part of that. Along with being a cog in a collectively suffocating defense, he is also arguably the teams top distributor. In games where Jerome has it going with the rock in his hands, the Virginia Cavaliers are almost unbeatable.
Mike Williams - Rutgers
Williams has been a consistent scoring threat for the Scarlet Knights from the minute he stepped foot on campus. Unfortunately, the teams Captain has been out since January 15th with a leg injury. Here's hoping he can come back strong and finish his senior year out with a bang.
Bashir Ahmed - St Johns
Ahmed hasn't taken that final step as a senior like we would've hoped, something the Johnnies could've used during their eleven game losing streak. For a tough BX native like him though, its never too late. He hung 19 on Duke and contributed in a major way to take down Villanova as well. Its looking like that sense of urgency is there for him on this last stretch.
Justin Wright Foreman - Hofstra
Wright Foreman was the most improved player in the country last year and somehow, someway he's even better this time around. Athletically, he is nearly unmatched, especially on the mid major level. He makes up for being undersized with his quick bounce and explosive first step. What's separated him though is his buttery mid range shot and unwavering confidence, two reasons why he's putting up 25 a game.
Khadeen Carrington - Seton Hall
Carrington's production has taken a bit of a dip this year but don't think for once second that he can't light it up if need be. He's had big scoring games and he's had games where he sits back and lets others eat. Either way, he's the heart and soul of the Pirates and they'll need him if their gonna make a push in March. He's posted 14 points and 4 assists on the year.
Kevin Huerter - Maryland
Huerter hasn't even sniffed a Sophomore slump this year as he's enjoyed improvement in virtually every statistical category. He's shooting 44% from 3 to go with 5 boards 3 assist and 14 points. An all around solid second campaign for the former New York Mr Basketball.
Terry Larrier - UCONN
Larrier was out last year with a nasty injury but he's bounced back, much to the dismay of AAC defenders. He has impressed with his ability to score on all three levels, as his isolation game is up there with the best in the conference. He's putting up a solid 14 and 5 boards in his first season back.
Dupree McBrayer - Minnesota
Ranked in the preseason Top 25, Minnesota hasn't quite lived up to expectations this year. To turn the corner, they're gonna need more out of McBrayer. The silky smooth lefty has struggled with consistency during what's been an up and down year. The talent is there, and we're hoping he regains his swagger back when it counts the most.
Shamorie Ponds - St Johns
We recently gave Ponds some full coverage so we'll keep this short. In wins against Nova and Duke, the rest of the country is finally catching on that Morie is one of the best players in the country, regardless of conference. He has a diverse repertoire of moves and can score with anyone nationally. He's averaging over 20 a game, but those numbers are bumped up exponentially when the stakes have risen. Just ask Coach K.
Shavar Newkirk - Saint Joe's
Newkirk is one of the best mid major players in the nation, and this season is another masterful performance by the former Cardinal Hayes star. He's averaging 17 points, 4 boards and three assists per night. There is room for improvement though: Efficiency. His field goal percentage has dropped big time from last year along with his percentage from three. His squad will need some heroics out of him if they can make noise in their conference's tourney.
Rawle Alkins - Arizona
Alkins has battled some pretty nasty injuries all year which has resulted in slumps for both him and the Wildcats. Nonetheless, he's still been one of the top players for his squad this year and a man child when he puts his mind to getting to the rack. To reach the next level however, he needs to continue to diversify his game and become a threat from anywhere on the court. He's posted 13 and 4 boards a game thus far.
Eric Paschall - Villanova
Paschall brings toughness, grit and otherworldly athleticism to a loaded Nova squad that is good enough to win it all. He's putting up 10 and 4 for the Wildcats, and has been great defensively. When he's not in the lineup, his production is definitely missed, as evidenced by their loss against St Johns in his absence.
Desi Rodriguez Seton Hall
Dunkin Desi's stock has been soaring, as he's displayed improvement year after year. While Carrington may be the team's heart beat, Rodriguez has taken over as their go to guy. He finishes everything in the paint and is a runaway train in transition. He's putting up 17 a game and when he attacks the rim, watch your head.
Jesse Govan - Georgetown
When you speak up the best centers in the country, make sure you include Govan's name. He's a throwback big with great hands and a legit back to the basket game. He's improved dramatically under Patrick Ewing, averaging 17 and 10 for a solid Georgetown Hoya team. He looks like a Roy Hibbert 2.0, back when Roy actually had a little game.
Who should we cover next? Email us at grittyvibes@gmail.com or comment below.