2025-2026 CHSAA Players to Watch

The 2025-2026 List

Josh Rivera 2027 G Archbishop Stepinac

The  heralded junior guard has patiently waited his turn while becoming a two time champion in the process. He had an amazing summer and is right on time for his transition into a lethal primary option for the Crusaders after the graduation of U Mass PG Danny Carbuccia.

Rivera's progression has possibly made Stepinac a more dynamic team than they were last season and gives the program  strong odds to become the first 4 time CHSAA champion in league history. 

Rivera is sure to be a player of the year candidate in his senior campaign,  and is likely to have a few performances that reflect that this season with his ability to shoot the lights out. He doesn't shy away from big moments and no moment is bigger than the one he and his Crusader squad have in progress now.

Brice Yancey 2028 G Cardinal Hayes 

The sophomore guard had an outstanding Freshman season for the Cardinals and is a budding franchise player. He was a huge part of the team staying at a competitive level after transfers hit the program last season. Yancey is an extremely creative scorer who can also make plays for teammates as well.

Yancey is also a good defender as he has shown ability to get steals and blocks at the guard position. Certainly one of the most enjoyable players to watch in the league. He has multiple all city nods ahead of him and will be a player of the year candidate at some point. The Cardinals are  a legit threat to make it to the title game this season.

Christian Hinestroza 2026 G Xaverian 

The senior guard has worked his way into the franchise player slot for the Clippers and had one of the most impressive showings at the CHSAA June Team Camp. He has a great deal of confidence that seems to bleed onto his teammates and the team will be more competitive than the general public may think.

Hinestroza is a very streaky scorer and once he gets going you may see an upset or two throughout the season. The team will go as far as he carries them and his coaches have a great deal of belief in him.  His role as the primary option on the team will land him on an all city team this season. 

Javan Webb G/F 2026 Monsignor Scanlan

The senior forward has great range in terms of his skill set.  He is the franchise player for the team and not just because of scoring, he is a tremendous passer who is unselfish and plays hard. 

Webb's abilities will allow other players such as 2027 G Anthony Venzen Jr. an  opportunity to emerge as a primary option on the team. The Crusaders are a scrappy team and will make things tough for a lot of teams on any given night. Webb has made a series of big time plays in his short time on Hutchinson Parkway and seems to have the energy that he wants to leave an indelible mark on the program before he graduates.. 

Johnny Magna 2027 G Christ The King 

The La Salle commit is entering his third season on the varsity and this is the moment where you will see the experience really take form.  The absence of worrying about how his recruitment should allow Magna to focus on becoming the best product he can possibly be before arriving in Philadelphia.

Magna is the franchise player for the Royals who is unselfish and can score an abundance of points keeping the game simple. He has two all city selections ahead of him and how he helps with the development of talented 2028 G Skye Ragoo and G Aaron Ellis will be a key determinant on how far the Royals can take it over the next two seasons. 

Supreme Hinton- 2028 G/F Mount St. Michael

The super sophomore is one of the rawest talents in the City and is far away from the player he can be. This is no knock considering he should be an All City selection this season and for the rest of his time in high school. 

Hinton holds one of the franchise player positions for the Mountaineers and how he develops as a leader along with fellow 2028 PG Shane Lopez will determine how the next three seasons go for the team. There is a lot of new talent on the roster and with Hinton’s ability to also make plays for people, this should be the best season the Mountaineers have had in a while. His sheer physical ability and athleticism make him standout and every rep will  unlock more of  his potential steadily. 

Ibrahim Camara 2026 F St. Raymond

The senior forward had an impressive summer winning the 2025 Smartball Classic MVP and is the heart of this year’s Ravens team. His leadership will be key in helping develop the talent on this deep roster.

Camara's rebounding prowess and improving offensive skill set makes him a legit double double threat in the league. Camara  2027 F Juan Quionones  and 2026 G Hassan Cisse bring the type of defensive presence that will keep the Ravens in the title hunt especially with the type of offensive fire power the team has. 

AJ Moody 2026 PG Nazareth

The senior sharpshooter has the keys to the Kingsmen Kingdom as its primary decision maker. The team has some very nice talent but it is Moody who is ultimately going to  be expected to bring it all together with his ability to get himself and others going.

Moody's ability to score in the 20 pt range will open things up for his teammates as he has to be accounted for from well outside the arc with his range. Increased playmaking ability with All City F 2026 Justin Delgado and super solid 2026 G Jayden Blakemore in the fold will make this team extremely dangerous in March, and Moody a sure fire All City candidate. 

Payton Wilson 2028 F Holy Cross 

The super sophomore continues to expand his ever growing game and is a big reason why many pundits have the Knights challenging for a title as soon as this season. Wilson can play 3-4 positions and bring equal energy on both sides of the ball. 

Wilson has a tremendous amount of upside and will be a multi time All League selection before he’s done. He and fellow 2028 sensation SG Devin Bey are a dynamic duo and great foundation for championship potential. The Knights are in the best shape they have been in a while and it would be no shock to see them in the final game of the season. 

Devin Bey 2028 SG Holy Cross

The dynamic two way sophomore guard is an extremely talented athlete who you can see is a student of the game. He doesn’t force the issue but can get going quickly as he is becoming  a usual suspect in the middle of big runs the team goes on, impacting the game on the defensive end equally.

Bey plays with the confidence of someone who knows he is a division one talent and multiple all City selections are expected. The more time goes on the more polished and explosive he will become and that will only increase the championship caliber buzz building around the program. 

Elijah Jenkins 2027 SG St. Raymond

The junior is a CHSAA returnee after spending a year at Lawrence Woodmere Academy. Jenkins had an opportunity to play with some major talent there and those reps along with the high ceiling he entered high school with at Monsignor Scanlan should allow him to be one of the top performers in the league by the time he graduates.

Jenkins has exceptional scoring ability and formidable athleticism that should make him a primary option for the Ravens. Jenkins and fellow 2027 PG Zaire Johnson provide a very underrated backcourt tandem in the Class and could help lead the team to another appearance in the final game of the season if everything is clicking. Don’t be suprised to see some huge all city type performances from Jenkins this season. 

Elijah Joseph 2027 F Iona Prep

The junior forward enters his third season on the varsity with expectations of a breakout season on tap. The Gaels will need him to be be an anchor on both ends of the floor if they are going to have a chance to reach the quarterfinals or beyond, where their last 3 seasons have ended.

Joseph is a tremendously agile big man with nice touch, and could lead the Gaels on a great run if he picks up his defensive intensity where he has the chance to affect about 8-10 shots  a game with his length and athleticism. The program’s potential  truly rides  on his development and if everything is clicking he should leave the program an all city player and contender for a title.

Akeem McClaren 2028 PG Monsignor Scanlan

The steady sophomore guard is entering the season after a nice freshman campaign.  He came on strong late in the season and started to show signs that he was stepping into being the franchise guard that the program expects him to be. McClaren had a nice summer and preseason that has only strengthened that point and appears ready to have a breakout year.  He doesn’t take a lot of bad shots and more comfortable in the mid range than most guards in today’s game.

McClaren is also active on the defensive end and shows tremendous effort when he is on the floor, quietly taking on leadership of the program, which has the elements to make a surprise run depending on how all the talent continues to mesh and grow. McClaren is definitely charting towards being a multiple time all city performer with 3 seasons to go in his prep career. He and fellow 2028 G Jamel Jordan could become one of the best backcourts in the city. 

Hector Almodovar 2028 PG Cardinal Hayes 

The sophomore guard is one of the best on ball defenders in the entire city. He himself as a ball handler is a tremendous playmaker and makes a lot of high IQ plays that usually win games.  Almodovar had an a lot of reps as a freshman and the expectation is that he will settle in more as a scorer over time but only when needed, as he can dominate a game without scoring in double figures with his feel for the game and knowing when to take charge on both sides of the ball. 

The expectation is he’ll get teammates going such as sharp shooter 2027 SG Christian  Brown and 2027 F/C Amadou Barry. Almodovar’s chemistry with fellow 2028 G Brice Yancey is incredible and it will be no surprise if they hang a banner up before they are done. 

Jahzir Crawford 2026 PG Holy Cross

The four year varsity guard is  at the forefront of the program’s shift back into the light of the league. How far they step into that light is contingent upon Crawford playing at an all city level and helping further the outstanding talent the Knights have in the fold.

Crawford ended last season playing extremely well and had an outstanding summer, so a legacy season could be in play here especially if he, fellow 2026 G/F Amosun Toluwalse and emerging 2027 F Stephon Cox can help guide a spirited run to the final game of the season.

Tommy Wolf 2027 G/F Iona Prep

The junior swingman is a certified sniper and has all the making to be one of the surprises of the year in the league. Wolf was  the leading scorer on a  2024 Freshmen team that went undefeated and put a banner up in the school. The primary option slot has now transitioned into his hands at the varsity level and he appears to be acclimating well after an outstanding preseason in which he showed he is one the best shooters in the city.

The Gaels have one of  most talented 2027s classes and could surprise some people this year. Wolf and Rising 2027 G/ F Michael  Kmetz, who also starred on the 2024 Freshman team will be a formidable scoring tandem for the team, both have division one potential and how they continue to grow will be a critical piece to the elevation of the Gaels program.

Justin Desena 2028 SG St. Francis Prep

The rising sophomore guard has a solid freshman campaign where he showed glimpses of being a primary player on a roster that had 3 all city performers. This season will require Desena to be the second option behind Fairfield commit All City F Oseomana Sacko if they team is going to continue its run of excellence.

Desena is a nice two way player as he has shown he can guard the ball pretty well and get extremely hot shooting the ball. There is lots of upside with Desena as the college offer should start to flow over the next 3 seasons, especially if he could help lead the team go on a few deep runs in the playoffs.

Malick Camara 2028 SG Nazareth

The talented two way transfer from Monroe enters the CHSAA after an outstanding freshman season in the PSAL. His ability to guard the team’s best player and stretch the floor with his 3 pt shooting makes him one of the biggest pick ups in the league this season. Camara has exceptional athleticism and has a lot of room to run over the next 3 seasons. On a team filled with seniors at the top, Camara could set himself up to be the primary option for the program upon their graduation, but he has the ability to make a major impact right away. Definitely a future all city candidate. 

Anthony Elor 2028 PG Archbishop Molloy

The sophomore guard is entering the year with major momentum after helping lead the Stanners to the JV City title as a freshman. In a time where development is usually fast tracked, Elor can feel confident about his contributions  and trust the process as he and the program continue to build. Elor is in line to be the primary handler of the program’s future along with fellow JV Champions SG Michael Nembhard, and SG Andrew Koumoullos who are also outstanding 2028 products. This will be a huge transitional year for the Stanners as they look to work back to their winning ways. 

Najay Bess 2026 SG St. Raymond 

The senior sharpshooter is coming off a solid junior year where he came within seconds of a title, and now finds himself at the top of the leadership board for the Ravens. The team is once again loaded with talent and Bess is the connector of it all, as he has been playing with the program's two all time leading scorers Georgia Tech SG Brandon Stores Jr. and Quinnipiac PG Tai Turnage. He is a great situational scorer and will show that now that he is a primary decision maker.

Bess is going to be very instrumental in the development of the young Ravens that are in the Nest as well, as they get to play with a seasoned veteran who is unselfish enough to help them thrive early like their All City Predecessors . Bess is in line to be the next All CIty performer and finish carving out his own legacy as a Raven, nothing would cement it more than another run at the title 

Chase Robinson 2027 G Iona Prep

The rising junior guard is more acclimated to the game as he has only been playing organized basketball for a short time. He is steadily becoming one of the best defenders in the league and this where he makes his mark at for the Gaels, using his growing athleticism to produce turnovers which lead to points .

Although he is not expected to be a primary option on offense for the Gaels, he can be, and has the ability to score in 16-20 points on any given night with his skill set and ability make himself a open target when the playmakers are looking for him. Robinson has a lot of upside and has grown a lot as a player over the last year. It will be interesting to see how far he can push himself and his teammates over the next two seasons. 

Larry Jenkins 2028 G/F Archbishop Stepinac

The extremely gifted sophomore comes into the season fresh off a 2025 Freshman City title and has joined a varsity pursuing the chance to become the first 4x champions in league History. Jenkins is practicing against a starting 5 that has 5 division one scholarships and with a team rated #1 by most polls in the country. This type  of experience will only increase his progression and have him become one of the top prospects in the league by 2027 because he is an excellent athlete who can play multiple positions at a high level. 

Jenkins has ability to rim protect and get out on the perimeter and overwhelm ball handlers with his length, closing gaps even when they think they have gotten by him. He and fellow 2028 Standout F Elijah Novotny will be one of the best front courts in the city in due time. For now they both have to be ready when their number is called on this loaded Crusader roster.

Nazier Campbell 2026 F Cardinal Hayes

The senior forward is a great fit for this Cardinal team that has an abundance of scorers that need the ball. Campbell is the high energy leader that provides many extra chances and enforces things for the team. His willingness to get in the mix and do all things that don't get the glory give this team a legitimate shot at getting back to the title game. Campbell does produce solid offenses outings at times, and has been known to take charge when the team is looking for a spark, getting second chance points or standing his ground on the defensive end. All championship teams have a player that does the things that Campbell does, and the Cardinals are hoping to earn their shot in March.

Luke Jackson 2027 G/F Bishop Loughlin

The junior swingman comes into the season after a summer where he showed that he has the tools to be a really good player in the league. On a team with a up and coming playmaker like 2027 PG Kal-el Lawson, Jackson ability to run the floor, slash, and finish will give him opportunities to be a double figure scorer. He has nice touch on his shot and growing athleticism that helps him on the defensive side where he utilizes his length.

The Lions are a program in transition right now and Jackson has an opportunity to put himself on the map being the glue to the team who will have moments where he needs to become a primary option if they are going to compete.

Nico Parlanti 2026 G St. Peter’s

The senior guard finds himself at the top of the leaderboard for the Eagles, as they are in a transitional phase after several graduations and a transfer. Parlanti showed some signs over the summer of being a capable primary option as he showed a lot of confidence and made things happen for himself and teammates.

The Eagles have a few players up from their JV team who made a title game appearance, so Parlanti will be expected to show them the way as they all figure out what they can provide for the program on the varsity level. 

Eli Murray 2029 F St. Francis Prep

The heralded freshman steps into Fresh Meadows with an expectation that he will make an immediate impact similar to teammate 2026 Fairfield Commit Oseomana Sacko. After a great Made Hoops Camp in Philly and a nice pre season there’s no question he has the skills to step right in and keep the Terriers in the hunt in March.

Murray can play multiple positions and plays with a quiet confidence of knowing he belongs on the stage. How he develops over the year will be a key determinant on how far the Terriers can take it this year and gives them a certified franchise player for the future.