Class of 2017
Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Neumann Goretti, PA
Ranked #108 in the Rivals 150 for his class and already verbally committed to Villanova, "DaDa" played well in a Saturday game at the Pavilion. With Marcus Littles manning the post and some of the Neumann-Goretti guards not in attendance (most notably, Quade Green), Cosby-Roundtree was able to show a little bit more of his face-up game than is the norm. He scored by pump-faking a mid-range jumper and then putting the ball on the deck and getting to the rim to hit a short floater. He also showed a jab-step and two-bounce dribble move that he used to score another bucket. He also scored around the rim and by getting to the free-throw line. As usual, he was active defensively and on the glass.
Class of 2018
Marcus Littles, Neumann Goretti, PA
This burly, front-courter is ranked #64 in his class and getting interest from Penn State. He plays AAU ball for Team Final in EYBL with Lonnie Walker and Dhamir Roundtree. He is a decent shooter out to 15 feet and willingly throws his body around in the paint. Littles probably lacks the lateral quickness to play the 5 in Villanova's defensive schemes but is a player worth keeping an eye on.
Jahvon Quinerly, Hudson Catholic, NJ
#31 in the Rivals Top 150. Offers from Rutgers, Xavier, California and Virginia. He is a smallish lead guard with good speed and court vision. His narrow frame is a little reminiscent of former Duke guard, Quinn Cook but he relies more on finesse to be effective than the toughness and moxie that were Cook's hallmarks. Good shooter and passer.
Luther Muhammad Hudson Catholic, NJ
#60 ranked, Muhammed has a lot of guard skills. He may not have elite quickness but he has a very solid handle, good court vision and passing skills, and the ability to shoot it out to three-point range. He should be able to develop into a quality, high-major combo guard. The most impressive plays he made today were three dribble-drive plays where he created for his teammates - finding a cutter for a lay-up through traffic on the first, a mid-range shooter on the second, and earning his team a wide-open, three-point opportunity on the third. Wouldn't be surprised if he ended up having more impact during his college career than his more highly-ranked teammate, Quinerly.
Louis King, Hudson Catholic NJ
Ranked #18 in his class and with offers from Syracuse, St. John's and Rutgers in hand, King is a high profile prospect. He has good perimeter skills for a player with his size and length. He can shoot it out to three-point range (though it at times is a bit of a push shot) or choose to attack the rim off the bounce. He is a good leaper capable of finishing on the business end of an alley-oop. In this game he made some questionable drives to the rack when the lane was far too congested.
Jalen Smith, Mount Saint Joseph, MD
Ranked #25 in his class, Smith has a Villanova offer and plays at the same school that produced Villanova guard, Phil Booth. He also holds offers from Marquette, Maryland, Miami and Providence. He earns every bit of his nickname, "Sticks" with his spindly frame and gangly running style. Very early in his game he showed impressive elevation and balance in canning an elbow jumper on which he was well above his defender. He finished inconsistently at the rim and struggled a little at the free throw line but he proved to be an active shot-blocker both on his own man and as a help defender. The raw tools are there but his ceiling will be determined by the degree to which he can either improve his perimeter skills to move away from the basket (where his lack of of strength is an issue) or put on the required size and strength to be able to play as a four man on the high major level.
Nate Laszewski, Mt. Hermon, MA,
Ranked #63 in his Class by Rivals, this four-star, 6-7 forward took an unofficial to Villanova during the team camp and his Coach reported that he picked up a 'Nova offer. He has interest from Duke, Iowa, Notre Dame, Virginia, Indiana, UNC and Wisconsin and offers from Princeton and Sacred Heart. He has a reputation as a dead-eye shooter and plays AAU with the NE Playaz.
Class of 2019
Bryan Antoine, Ranney Prep, NJ
Jay Wright was court-side at the Davis Center on Saturday to watch Antoine and Lewis in action for Ranney. For Villanova fans, a decent comparison in terms of body type for both Antoine and Scottie Lewis is probably John Celestand. Celestand was probably around 6-3 and 165 when he got to Villanova, with good length and quickness. Antoine and Lewis are both 6-4, 170 and have that rangy, prototypical basketball body for a wing player. Antoine has a very good handle and burst of speed that he can use quite efficiently to get to the basket. He is a good passer. Antoine has offers from Florida, Maryland, Notre Dame, Rutgers (as if), Seton Hall, St. John's, Temple and Villanova
Scottie Lewis, Ranney Prep, NJ
Lewis is an electric leaper who can score in transition and slashing to the basket from the wing. Aggressive off the bounce. Lewis has offers from Florida, Maryland, Notre Dame, Rutgers (as if), St. John's, and Villanova
