PLAYER’S DISPLAY TALENT AT HOOP JOURNAL SHOWCASE!

PATERSON,N.J……….The weather was bad and a lot of commits to the 1st annual Hoop Journal Showcase became no-shows! But for the 21 players that did attend, they were their with a purpose! And they came with game, not their name! The Seniors are still looking for schools and every last one is a college level player! While this was the first event put together, it won’t be the last! Before giving a player profile on the participants, Hoop Journal would like to acknowledge and thank the people who tried to make this a success for the kids! Thanks to The Paterson Recreation Division, especially Playaz Basketball Club Director Jim Salmon! Also, special thanks to My Positive Impact Family( Tony Murphy, Aundrey Bease, Larry Cox, Derek Carter and Loretta Stewart), The referees(Carl, Lenny,Derrick and my man Mike), Irv Watkins Sr., Darlene Custis, Rick Jacobs, My Coaches Dwight Wilbur and Kelvin Foreman(along with Bease), My fam, Reggie and Kennedy Coach Jim Ring and Hackensack Coach Aaron Taylor!  Plus the college coaches that made visits to the venue!

 

 

PLAYER PROFILES:  

ANDREW HERASIMTSCHUK- Wayne Valley H.S. 6’1″  190 lbs:  Andrew showed an awareness to the game that is hard to teach! He knows how to be in the right spot at the right time and is always around the ball! He finished in transition and showed his perimeter game by draining jumpers all over the floor! Averaged 13 points a game for a highschool team that was patient in it’s offense! Showed he can score the ball better than his average!

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRIGHT MENSAH – Hackensack H.S. 6’4  190 lbs:  A superior athlete, Bright impressed enough that he will be playing for Division 3 powerhouse William Paterson next year! A great finisher in transition, he knocked down the mid range jumper and was a locked down defender! Still crazy upside to his game!

 

 

 

 

WAHSHON  FRANKLIN – Passaic County Tech 6’0  190 lbs: Wahshon is a baller! He does a lot of things that help teams win! A tremendous rebounder for his size, he is deceptively strong! Can finish around the basket over bigs! Don’t sleep on his perimeter game and handle!

 

 

 

 

 

AARON KING – Passaic County Tech  5″9  165 lbs:  Aaron impressed with his perimeter shooting, especially from long range! He was a tough on the ball defender in the games! Can help a team! Is a pleasant surprise who proved his game is on that level!

 

 

 

 

 

ROBERT PURNELL-JOE – Phillipsburg  H.S.  5’9  165 lbs: Probably the best defensive player in the camp! Robert can flat out guard! Good with the rock too! He is an assist master and had no problem finding teammates for open looks! Can also keep you honest with the J! A disciple of St. Anthony as he was once a Bob Hurley player, he is calm on the court and is hard to get rattled!

 

 

 

 

 

JORDAN WRIGHT – West Milford  6’4  195 lbs: This was perfect for Jordan as everyone was impressed with his shooting range and his athletic ability! Could be a higher level player, but was a late bloomer! Had some monster scoring games in the camp and seems to be one of the main guys to find a place to play next year! Couple coaches really impressed!

 

 

 

 

KIZMER PORTER – 6’3  190 lbs:  Kizmer was the most surprising player in the camp! Showed ability to get to the rim, knock down shots and defend! Did not play in school last year, but wanted a chance to show his ability! And he took full advantage! He is a kid that you want to succeed as his attitude was also impressive!

 

 

 

 

SHELDON RAPHAEL – Ramapo H.S.(N.Y.) 6’0  170 lbs: Sheldon can flat out play and he gave it to people the entire day! Can handle, knock down perimeter shots and get to the rim! Good athlete! Why no one is on this kid is a mystery, because the minute you watch him, it’s obvious that he is a player!

 

 

 

 

KAHEEM DAVIS – Kennedy H.S.  6’4  200 lbs: Kaheem was a defensive presence the entire day! Has a great nose for the ball! He is also a late bloomer with a lot of upside! Showed improvement in his jump shot and is a good finisher around the basket! Long wingspan, can play bigger than his height! Strong rebounder who would be a find for any school!

 

 

 

 

BRANDON JAMES – Passaic County Tech 5’10 175 lbs: A very high talent, Brandon had moments where he took over the games! There is high interest in him from the local schools and it’s evident why! Can put it on the floor and is a knock down shooter who knows how to create space! Can also defend, but his greatest asset maybe his basketball savvy! Does not seemed ovewhelmed by the game!

 

 

 

 

 

TOM LARRANAGA – Wayne Valley  5’9  160 lbs:  Tom has range, real range! He can knock down “Triples” from all over the court! By the end of the day, was being called Jimmer Ferdette! Showed he can go to the basket and is a very good passer! Also can hit shots off the dribble! Has a high basketball I.Q. and an inner fire when playing!

 

 

 

 

KARIM AHMAD – North 13th St  5’7  160 lbs:  Karim Ahmad is a Problem! For any guard trying to defend him! Got anywhere on the floor and constantly hit big shots during the games! Can score against big men, is capable of hitting shots from the perimeter and can handle the rock like a yo-yo! One of the most impressive players in the camp! He is a big man in a little body!

 

 

 

 

 

DAVID COULANGS – Burlington H.S. 6’1  180 lbs: David Coulangs can play! He can put it on the floor, has decent range and plays tough defense, but the thing about David is his intangibles! You see, David came an hour in a half in terrible weather to put his talents to the test! He more than held his own, but that showed a commitment and attitude that many kids his age don’t possess! On the court he had big games also, but when players are equal in talent it’s these qualities that make a college coach choose you! David’s character, besides his talent are far beyond the normal!

 

 

 

 

JAHMIR WHITE – Kennedy H.S.  5’11  180 lbs:  Jahmir is like an old veteran! He has high point guard skills and took advantage of his skills during the games! He is a great passer and can get in the paint at will! Can make shots and will be a good keep for any school that comes his way! Also takes pride in defending and showed that part of his game throughout the day! Was the leader of his squad all day! Jahmir is a winner!

 

 

 

 

 

DAWON LIGHTY – Kennedy 6’2   180 lbs:  Dawon has the tools to be as good a player as he wants to be! He was a late arrival, but the minute he showed up he helped raise the level of play! Can shoot the ball with the best of them and has learned to put the ball on the floor and finish as he did it constantly in the games! He also still has alot of interest from schools and the reality is it’s up to him what exactly he wants to do!

 

 

 

DOMINIC GONZALEZ – Scotch Plains  5’6  150: Dominic is a Junior that came to the showcase and decided to put his talent to the test! He upgraded the camp with his intensity level! Dominic is a blur who puts constant pressure on the defense! Had moments where he was a one man show! Was told to pick up the tempo and more than did that! At one point, played his way to sheer exhaustion1 Gives everything he has! Has an assortment of moves and finishes going to the basket!

 

 

Also would like to acknowledge Kennedy Juniors Sammy Singletary and Gary Simpson for participating in the event! Their competitiveness kept the games at a high level!