The FUTURE is here! NYC'S TOP 5 AAU Programs (15&U)
New Yorks ILLEST YOUNGINS
AAU season is here folks. The most pivotal moments in a high school student athlete's life often happens during this time of year! We’ve been keeping close tabs on all of our NY based hoopers all season long, a lot have improved and yes, a few have seemed to level out. We've had eyes and ears all over, and with that being said, over the next few days we’ll provide to you, our predictions on which NY based AAU teams are poised to have strong seasons on there respective circuits.This week we’ll start with 15u. This is usually is a hard group to predict, as 15u usually includes current 8th graders, freshmen and and reclassifying 10th graders. But we got you covered!
5.New York Jayhawks
After watching the Jayhawks over the weekend it seems that they might be a few pieces away from being in our top 3. One thing you’ll always get from a Jayhawks team is that they'll always play hard. Jordan Riley will have a big year, as for now he seems to be the most promising on the roster. He’s tough athletic and strong, with him the Jayhawks are still a perimeter scorer and a rim protector away from being top tier.Key to success *PLAY TO YOUR POTENTIALThe Jayhawks definitely have some top talent on there 15s team, although an 8th grader Max Ragusa has to have a big role. He’s a tough stocky guard wit a tight handle. His decision making is questionable at times but he’ll grow exponentially with time on the court this summer. Also on the Jayhawks roster is Tymell Stevenson. Stevenson was apart of last winter’s MADE HOOPS 8th grade championship team. He’s currently still growing at this stage of his development. His high motor and athleticism can create mismatches out on the wing at times, but for now he’ll earn most his buckets in transition and a few in the half court. If he can tap a bit more into not only his offensive but defensive potential, the Jayhawks are going to have some of the city’s top kids on their 15s squad at the end of this summer.
4.New Heights
We also saw New Heights this weekend and their 15s squad headlines with two 8th graders: Isaac Gonzalez and Noel Echevarria. Gonzalez seems to have a natural instinct to score. He has a dangerous pull up game which is a good tool for every young guard to have. Offensively playing a grade level up shouldn’t hinder Gonzalez’s game too much but defensively is where he’ll need some work. If opposing guards smell blood, they’ll definitely take advantage of Gonzalez’s lack of lateral speed defensively. On the wing is Divaahd Lucas who’s long and athletic for 15s, he should make and impact on both ends. He played varsity at Amittyville high school this season so the physicality of the UAA 15s shouldn’t be a problem.Key for success *NOEL ECHEVARRIA*At around 6’3 (Ok let’s give him 6’4), Noel Echevarria is going to be a stud in our eyes. He’s big for an 8th grader and moves very well. He’s a guard and that’s not being said loosely. He has uncanny court vision for an 8th grader and he can just flat out make plays. He scores fairly easily too, understandably due to his consistency on all three levels. Look out for this kid, he’ll definitely blow up this summer.
3.New York Lightning
The Lightning are coming in at number three with a pretty big 15s team. In the backcourt they have 6’4 Ty Holloway, a long sharp shooting guard from Connecticut that hasn’t even tapped into his potential. Nationally ranked Marcus Dyes at 6’2 is apart of that backcourt alongside Tahron Allen, a big 6’4 guard that uses his physical advantages to bully defenders inside and out. On the wing another Connecticut product is Quron Zene, who played varsity at northeastern powerhouse The Masters School and was a key piece in his teams success. Their biggest front court player is 8th grader Silas Sunday. Standing at 6’11 weighing 300 pounds the physicality of the EYBL E15 shouldn’t be a problem, it’s going to be the speed for the Irish import. Recent additions Jorr Prince Norgaisse and Aidan Hilderbrand should also have solid impacts on the E15 circuit.Key to success - *Lock in defensively*With a crew like this, scoring clearly won’t be a problem. They should be able to out score most of their opponents. But the keys to success for this bunch are defense and taking care of the ball. If these young studs can lock in defensively as a collective, the ceiling is very high. Offense doesn’t win games, especially in the EYBL. Helping that cause should be Melvin Payero. An energetic Dominican guard from lightning affiliate Redemption Christian Academy.
2.New York Renaissance
Yes, we all by now now the talent on the Rens 15s squad. Loaded at guard and at wing, but before we name drop, let’s look at what this talented bunch will need to do to coexist and meet expectations.*PLAY TOGETHER*Time and time again we see teams that are bigger, faster and stronger than everyone and still aren’t successful. This is usually when guys don’t know their roles and as a result, selfishness kicks in. If this bunch can be mature, stay humble and strap up on defense then the sky should be the limit for them, no like seriously, we're talking peach jam!Now time for the fun part. In the loaded back court, is Renaissance main stay, Sterling Jones. A stacked varsity back court forced Jones to develop his talents on Christ the King’s Freshman team this year. It doesn’t seem he’s grown much physically but his game has taken strides both mentally and skillfully as noted this past weekend. Also in the back court is newcomer Jaylen Murray. Not much to say about him that hasn't been said, kid's a stud and he’s most likely going to demolish every guard on that E15 circuit. On the wing or in the back court, pick your poison it’s TJ Morris. Didn’t really see him in the high school season due to transfers situations but of course TJ can still hoop. He’s about 6’4 and he’s long and athletic. He’ll be a major key to this squad and if he can buy in, this AAU season could be a big one for him. Another new comer courtesy of Coach Sean Adams is Brandon Weston. He spent his freshman season at Lake Forest Academy in Illinois, and he was hooping like a senior! He’s 6’5 and oozing athleticism, he’s another kid on this Renaissance squad that’ll definitely dominate this summer. There isn’t enough space and time to write about the talent on this roster so I’ll just sum it up like this. If they play up to their abilities every game and be unselfish, they will definitely make a deep run on the circuit.
1.PSA Cardinals
The keys to most teams on this list is to not turn the ball over, share the rock and most importantly PLAY defense.Those are obviously important on all teams especially a young 9th grade team. But for some reason, we doubt the Cardinals will have a tough time with either of those things. Effectively showing there defensive prowess this weekend, PSA locked their spot at number 1. Names aren’t important if you can hoop you can hoop. But this PSA team is loaded with some of the top prospects in the class of 2021.Key to success: *ADRIAN GRIFFIN JR“Stud” doesn’t do enough to describe the kid. He wasn’t just on varsity this high school season, he got BUCKETS. He was a pleasant surprise to everyone in the city. Griffin just plays the game the right way. The first time we saw him we couldn’t believe it, a 6’5 freshman playing varsity making little to no mistakes. He’s a lights out shooter, with an intriguing frame. He’s also extremely athletic with a high basketball IQ. It doesn’t seem like he thinks too much, the game comes to him and college coaches have noticed. Only a freshman, he’s all ready won Catholic School’s title and also has a State championship under his belt. Recruiting wise it’s only begun for this kid, Manhattan, St. Johns, Maryland and Illinois has all reached out and offered and rightfully so.The Cardinals are far from a one man team though. That’s where Drissa Traore comes in. Drissa has been hoping to develop from a 6’7 shot blocker into a wing type of player. He’s athletic and just gifted physically. It’s hard to see what direction his development might go in terms of skill set but we know it’s nowhere but up! PSA is probably the biggest team on the list thanks in part to Frank Kepnang. Standing at 6’11 with and 7’5 wingspan, it’s just unfair for him to be playing 15s. Kepnang is going to be policing the paint for PSA making opponents thinks twice before driving to the rim. He alters shots like no other in his class and after this summer college coaches will be all over him. Rounding off a heavy frontcourt is Micawber Etienne, the 6’9 four man is another physically gifted freshman on this PSA team. Who’s gonna get these guys the ball you ask, well there’s Shawn Fulcher for one. If you don’t know him you’re gonna know him by the summers end. He can handle the rock very comfortably and can definitely shoot it from deep. But this AAU season all he’ll need to do is just get it to the other guys and be a facilitator.
/// Disclaimer ///All of our opinions are based off of research and mostly the “eye” test. We rarely base our opinions off of what we hear! If your team did not make the list, it doesn’t mean they aren’t good, this list is a Power Ranking solely based off how successful we think each team will be in their respective circuits