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CHSAA Review: CHSAA AA "25 to Watch" List For 2023-2024 Season

Updated: Dec 18, 2023


CHAA AA top 25 to Watch for 2023 - 2024
Photo by Vu Huy Hoang Chu on Unsplash

Disclaimer: The following list is not a ranking, but an overview of prospects in the CHSAA AA division who were not named to any All-CIty Teams in the previous season, but are our CHSAA AA Top 25 To Watch.


1. Adam Njie PG Cardinal Hayes '24 - The show-stopping senior guard is back after a stellar junior season and outstanding performance in the City Title Game against Archbishop Stepinac. While it is true that he may have been the most underrated player in NYC last season, He is one of the Top 100 players in his class which is extremely impressive because he wasn't named to any All-City Team in the 22-23 season. It is a testament to his top-tier work ethic and hunger for more, which explains re-opening his recruitment after de-committing from Washington State University.

Njie had a spectacular summer in which he grabbed a few MVP awards and improved every aspect of his game from more explosiveness to expanded range on his jumper. He has a penchant for the moment and will continue to show that he is not only a Power 5 NCAA prospect but a future professional at this pace as well.


 

2. Vere Anthony PG St. Francis Prep '25 - He is amongst the top distributors of the ball in the league. The Terriers offense is conducted beautifully, and Anthony is the lead maestro. His ability to keep everyone involved was a key component in SFP's Final Four run last season. Anthony will be able to showcase his under-the-radar scoring ability more this season.

He has an excellent release on his shot and plays strong, which aids him when he is going downhill finishing with either hand. He digs in defensively and is simply a gamer who will help keep St. Francis Prep in contention for as long as he is enrolled. One of the more underrated players in the class of 2025. The expectation is that he will be on an All-City team before he graduates, but a title would do so much more for him and the Terriers program.

 

3. Lucas Morillo G/F Iona Prep '25 - had a foundational sophomore season in which he saw valuable time as a rotational player. Morillo finds himself centerstage for the Gaels after the graduation of 3 seniors and a superb summer with the Dominican Republic U17 team. He had a great showing at CHSAA summer camp and looked primed for a breakthrough in the league. He has great positional size and looks comfortable as a primary option. He doesn't force things and presents matchup problems from the 3-point arc down. The expectation is that he will be a Top 100-150 prospect in the class of 2025.


 


4. Kamari Whyte G/F St. Raymond '26 - The sophomore is one of the more intriguing prospects in the league because he can play multiple positions and impact a game without a play being called for him. He gets after it on the glass and creates second-chance opportunities. The Ravens have a high powered Top 100 backcourt in All City 2025s SG Brandon Stores Jr. and PG Tai Turnage, the continued growth of Whyte's game makes them a formidable Big 3 combination. He is an efficient scorer around the rim and has good vision on and off the ball. Every championship team has a player with the type of qualities Whyte possesses, and his development will be a key determinant in the Ravens getting back to that level.




 


5. Dior Anderson PG Monsignor Scanlan '26 - 2026 Leading Scorer is back with a FULL year of experience, which included impressive performances against then-champion Cardinal Hayes at Home in a win, and Away against eventual champion Stepinac in a narrow loss. The Crusaders are an extremely talented team and looked most dangerous in spaces with Anderson fully engaged, dictating the pace with his energy and feel for the game. The challenge for Anderson will be how much of an extension of the coach he can be on the floor with so many other capable scorers around him including 3rd Team CHSAA Senior guard Nasir Rodriguez. Balance on both ends of the floor will be key for Anderson and the Crusaders if they want to make a serious run in the league.


 


6. Kaleb Popotte PG/SG Monsignor Scanlan '25 - the junior guard enters the season with a lot of positive momentum and college offers picking up. He is steadily coming into his own at both ends of the floor and looks more and more comfortable making plays as a primary handler. He has a quiet competitiveness and is willing to take on the tough assignments in the league, a refreshing quality that his team is sure to benefit from this season and beyond. Popotte is a very underrated scorer, as he shows good range on his jumper and is willing to challenge in the paint as well. In a league full of outstanding guards, Popotte will have an opportunity to raise his stock by leaps and bounds by helping the Crusaders increase their win total this season.



 


7. Braylan Ritvo SF/PF Archbishop Stepinac '24 - The senior forward is back to help lead the Crusaders in their title defense after a solid junior season. He attacked the glass, played the defensive end with lots of energy, and hits big shots. He connected on two consecutive treys against Christ the King in the city Semifinal which pushed Stepinac ahead and into the Championship. If the Crusaders are threatened in any way it won't be without Ritvo picking up his shield and battling. Something special activates in him when they need an answer. Stepinac is loaded with amazingly talented players, but it's Ritvo who is going to help keep it all together. A true connector on both ends of the floor who will continue to leave his mark on the program.





 


8. Johnny Keenan PG Iona Prep '25 - experience can be a key factor and he is entering his 3rd season on the varsity. The Gaels graduated 3 seniors including two all-city selections in AJ Rodriguez ( St. Thomas More) and Blaise New (UMass). Keenan had an outstanding CHSAA summer camp and looked right at home as the primary handler. He is a tremendous downhill player, shoots the ball well, and makes plays for his teammates. The game has slowed down for him and he has the ability to be the best player on the floor on any given night. There was a significant win increase for the Gaels last season who finished 3rd in their division, and Keenan's progression had a lot to do with it. The next challenge will be if he can help keep the upward motion going under new Head Coach Tim Philp this season to propel the Gaels past their quarterfinal finish last season.




 


9. Halon Rawlins G Nazareth '25 - had an amazing sophomore campaign in the Kingsmen's final season in the "A" division leading them to the championship game. The program's matriculation into the "AA" division is a testament to the belief that they have the talent to compete immediately and Rawlins is at the center of that thought. He plays strong and has the skills to do everything well. With Rawlins, explosive G/F '24 Tyler Francis, and '24 G Jacob Roman manning the leadership for Nazareth, the competition should be prepared for battle.


 


10. Markell Alston PG Christ The King '25 - One of the purest point guards in the city, he can make every pass as well as get his own offense. The Royals were playing their best basketball with him as a catalyst last season, and no one is probably more motivated to get back on the floor than he is. He makes his teammates better and is truly an extension of a coach on the floor. Alston provides the balance that is needed on a CTK roster that features 2024s All City stars SG Dwayne Pierce, PF Qingfang Pang, and Rising 2025 SG Jayden Ramirez. The Royals could very well raise another banner especially if Alston's alchemy of all the talent is in full throttle.


 


11. Jalen Munson PG St. Peter's '24 - the senior guard is back to lead the Eagles after a solid junior season in which he helped lead the team to several big victories, including an early season victory over Stepinac, and a playoff win against Xaverian. He made plays on both sides of the ball and embodied a no-quit energy that was infectious. Munson, All City F Qadir Martin, and PG Mike Spisto supply the Staten Island champs with a nice senior nucleus that will look to expand on their quarterfinal finish last season.


 


12. Dylan Perry F Archbishop Stepinac '26 - The sophomore is back after playing a vital role in the Crusader's championship run. The program has an Extraordinary Class of 2026 which includes G Jasiah Jervis, G Hassan Koureissi, and twin brothers G/F Adonis and Darius Ratliff, who are coming off a spectacular championship run with Stepinac's Freshman team. Perry provides balance for the team with his ability to defend, pass, rebound, score, and give high energy. He had an amazing showing at Pangos Camp winning MVP and looks to have an abundance of confidence now that he can call himself a champion.


 


13. Patrick Evans G Xaverian '24 - the senior comes into the season with a great opportunity to showcase his skillset after the Clippers graduated their outstanding All-City backcourt of Nasir Muhammad (Northern Illinois) and Aaron Goldstein (College of Staten Island). Evans finds himself as the leader of the pack now, and as a primary handler will be able to exhibit his ability to score and make plays for his teammates. The belief is that he will be more assertive and fill some of the offensive gaps of nearly 40 PPG left by his predecessors. It will be interesting to see what being at the head of the team brings out of Evans this season.






 


14. Josh Powell G Archbishop Molloy '26 - The sophomore guard had a fantastic Freshman campaign helping lead the Stanners to a 3rd place finish in the division and a close contest in the CHSAA quarterfinal against eventual champion Stepinac, which could have been the toughest battle the Crusaders faced. Powell is a battle-ready talent that any Coach would love to have in the foxhole with them. He put on a dazzling shooting display at CHSAA camp and showed he could score in bunches. With the transfer of major contributors from last season, Powell is now at the head of the table for Molloy. The Stanners have a great leader in the fold for the foreseeable future.


 


15. Oesoemana Sacko PF St. Francis Prep '26 - the sophomore had a phenomenal Freshman season in which he displayed that he will be a force in the league for years to come. He has an uncanny ability to stretch the floor and play super strong in the paint. He is also a capable passer that can find all the targets the Terriers possess. He had a spectacular showing against Cardinal Hayes in a close OT loss in the Bronx, as well as a dominant performance against Iona Prep in the CHSAA quarterfinals. He and fellow 2026 G Troy Fason Jr give the Terriers a solid foundation for the future and very real chance to help raise a City championship banner, following an impressive season in which they reached the semifinal.


 

16. Jermel Thomas PG Cardinal Hayes '26 - the sophomore enters the year after a Freshman season in which he showed flashes of the magic he has become so aptly famous for. He is a creative artist who has outstanding ball handling and court vision, makes the game easier for everyone. At the CHSAA summer camp, he displayed that he is also making the game simpler for himself by stretching the floor and keeping defenses honest. Thomas had an amazing Pangos Camp in which he was named Co-MVP, giving him awesome momentum leading up to this season, where he is center stage for the Cardinals and their revamped roster that includes high-scoring former PSAL stars PG Kaelen Destin (WHEELS) and G Malik Fields (Stevenson). After a championship game appearance, Thomas and the Cardinals are not interested in any setbacks and expect to be back where they left off.





 


17. Treyvon Lewis G Cardinal Hayes '26 - the sophomore got good experience last season as a rotational player and playing with some of the best talent that the city has to offer. With the transfer of All City superstar guards Ian Jackson and Elijah Moore ( OSL),

the opportunity has now opened up for Lewis to show that he may be one of the biggest sleepers in the 2026 class. He has an explosive slashing ability that continues to improve through the constant work he puts in. Lewis has time on his side and it will be interesting to see how he raises his level of play over the next couple of years.


 


18. Tyler Michel G St Francis Prep '24 - he may be the most important piece to the championship puzzle for the Terriers. He is now the senior leader of a very talented squad and they will rely on him to deliver in critical moments. He is one of the best coming off the curl in the league and has a Richard Hamilton style of play. With the graduation of CHSAA AA MVP Joshua Pascarelli (Marist), Michel will have an opportunity to increase his profile by continuing to help the program develop its young talent and chase a title this year.


 


19. Caleb Andigue F Mount St. Michael '25 - the junior frontcourt prospect showed potential for the Mountaineers as they became more competitive towards the end of last season. He has improving patience on defense which will help him block more shots and avoid foul trouble. Andigue also has a nice touch on hook shots and face up from away inside the arc. The belief is that he has the ability to expand his range, and will learn to get the ball out to his perimeter threats like fellow 2025 sharpshooting SG Joshua Thompson more efficiently from out the post. There is nowhere to go but up for Andigue and the Mountaineer program.



 


20. Elijah Small F Archbishop Molloy '24 - a wonderful opportunity for him to show he is one of the premier talents in the league. He was impressive at the CHSAA Summer camp, tapping into all parts of his athleticism. He was able to create off the bounce for himself and others when isolated with defenders he could confidently get by. He also showed the ability to hit jumpers, block shots, start offense with defense, and finish plays above the rim. Small has all the elements of a gamebreaker, and it will be interesting to see how it all comes together for him and the Stanners this season.


 


21. Rich Jackson Jr. G Bishop Loughlin '26 - the sophomore guard is coming into the season with a major opportunity to put his talents on display after the Lions lost several key players to transfers and graduation. With years ahead of him, Jackson will be able to settle in as the primary option as he has shown he can score and make plays. He can put his head down and continue to work while the rest of the picture comes together for the Lions throughout the course of the season.


 


22. Jacob Moreno G Holy Cross '24 - the senior guard is coming into the season on the doorstep of all-city status. The sure cure for that is more victories, and under new Head Coach Billy Turnage there is already a noticeable change in culture. The Knights have nice young talent around Moreno, as well as fellow 2024 G Joshua Malcolm. so the challenge will be how the seniors rally the youth to be the best they can be. Moreno has great range on his jumper and is one of the more explosive players in the city. He has the ability to be one of the better defenders in the league as well, and if he can shut down some of the high-powered talent the city has, he will help himself and the Knights program tremendously.


 


23. Danny Carbuccia PG Archbishop Stepinac '25 - he missed some time and was not 100% healthy last season. But his heart managed to get him in gear right in time for the Crusaders championship run, in which he was a vital source of reliability with his phenomenal playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. He is one the best PG prospects nationally in his class, and the Crusaders could be in a position for a dynastic type of run if he is at his best. He has an outstanding basketball IQ, is a prolific passer, and can turn into a lead scorer when he needs to.




 


24. Alexander Bryant F Iona Prep '24 - the senior broke into the starting lineup last season and had some impressive performances against some of the city's best teams. Bryant proved to be a defensive force with multiple games of 8 blocks or more. He has been stepping out and hitting long jumpers with his nice touch to add to his ability to go above the rim. He has earned his place being a protector and provider of high-energy plays, but he definitely has more to offer offensively. The evolution of his game and The Gaels success may go hand in hand this year.


 


25. Elijah Cherry G/F St. Raymond '24- . the senior is an exceptional athlete that can make it difficult for people on the defensive end when he's locked in. The Ravens will need every bit of that to match their high powered offense if they are going to make a run. He spaces the floor with his 3 pt shooting and gets above the rim in transition. Cherry brings high energy when he is fully engaged and it makes the Ravens a different team. This season presents a wonderful opportunity for him to leave an indelible mark on the program by leaving it all on the floor and setting the tone for the youth on the roster.




 





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1 Comment


DeDan B
DeDan B
Nov 26, 2023

I see the due diligence… You really out there touching the ground for all these high school games. This platform about to take these kids to another level of professionalism 🫡

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