25 boys basketball players to watch in 2018-19
Ahkee Anderson of Greenport during a non-league boys basketball game at St. Anthony's on Dec. 6. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Ahkee Anderson, Greenport G, 5-9, Jr.: Led Greenport to the Long Island Class C championship. Averaged 18 points, nine rebounds, four rebounds and four assists per game.
Tae’von Bazemore, Connetquot, 6-1, G, Sr.: A terrific shooter, he averaged 18 points per game for Floyd and will make an immediate impact at Connetquot.
Rhyjon Blackwell, Baldwin, G, 6-0, Sr.: Will command the offense at point guard this season. The quick playmaker averaged 15 points and four assists per game last season.
Sean Braithwaite, Center Moriches, G/F, 6-6, Sr.: With the ability to play all over the court, he led the Red Devils to the Long Island Class B championship last season, averaging 21 points, 11 rebounds and five assists per game.
Andre Curbelo, Long Island Lutheran, G, 6-1, Jr.: Led Puerto Rico to a bronze medal in the U17 FIBA Games in June in Argentina and looks to lead LuHi to a Federation championship. Has drawn college interest from schools such as Florida, UConn and Illinois.
Andre Curbelo of Long Island Lutheran works the ball around Savion Lewis of Half Hollow Hills East during a non-league boys basketball game in Brookville on Dec. 22, 2017. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Malik Edmead, Deer Park, G, 5-10, Jr.: With the ability to create both for himself and others, Edmead averaged 21.7 points per game last season. Has drawn Division I interest from schools such as Stony Brook, Bryant and Iona.
Justin Evelyn, Uniondale, G,5-10 Sr.: Will take on a larger role in the offense and looks to guide Uniondale to back-to-back Nassau Class AA championships.
Tyreik Frazier, Westbury, F, 6-6, Sr.: With great length and playmaking ability, Frazier will take on a larger role this season after averaging eight points a game last winter.
Myles Goddard, Amityville, G/F, 6-4, Soph.: Will be a go-to scoring option for the defending Class A state champions after averaging nine points and six assists per game last season.
Bryce Harris, Brentwood, G/F, 6-4, Jr.: Athletic player with versatility to play nearly any position on the floor. Has drawn interest from schools such as Stony Brook and Lafayette.
Brentwood's Bryce Harris shoots a free throw against Ward Melville in a Suffolk boys basketball game at Ward Melville on Dec. 7. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Aidan Igiehon, Lawrence Woodmere Academy, C, 6-10, Sr.: Led the Crusaders to a NYSAIS Class B state championship, averaging 21 points and 18 rebounds per game. He will play at Louisville next year.
Zed Key, Long Island Lutheran, F, 6-8 Jr.: A transfer from Brentwood, Key brings tremendous length and athleticism on the outside. Has drawn college interest from schools such as Penn State, Rutgers and Florida.
A.J. Knight, Holy Trinity, G, 6-0, Sr.: Will take on more of the scoring production this season, after averaging 10 points and three assists per game as a role player last winter.
T.J. Long, Chaminade, 6-3, G, Jr.: Averaged 9.3 points per game last season and will take on an expanded role for Chaminade this season. He scored 27 points in the team’s season-opening victory this year.
Divaahd Lucas, Amityville, G/F, 6-6, Jr.: One of the top sophomores on Long Island last year, Lucas averaged eight points and eight assists for the Class A state champions and provides great athleticism and versatility.
Amityville's Divaahd Lucas moves the ball upcourt during the first half of the Suffolk Class ABCD Final at Floyd on Feb. 26. Credit: Daniel De Mato
RJ Meyers-Turner, Uniondale, G, 5-9, Sr.: The quick, athletic guard averaged 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals per game last year and will become the go-to scorer this season for the defending Nassau Class AA champions.
Essam Mostafa, Long Island Lutheran, F/C, 6-9, Sr.: Returning starter with a big presence in the middle to the paint. Has drawn college interest from schools such as Quinnipiac and Arkansas-Little Rock.
Michael O’Connell, Chaminade, G, 6-2, Jr.: Averaged 13.8 points for the CHSAA regular-season champions last season, including a 26-point game against Holy Trinity.
Ty-Shon Pannell, Central Islip, G, 5-9, Jr.: Quick, shifty guard with the ability to create for himself and others, Pannell averaged 9.5 points per game as a sophomore for an 18-win team.
Ty-Shon Pannell of Central Islip drives to the net during the third quarter of a non-league boys basketball game against Elmont at Uniondale on Jan. 13. Credit: James Escher
Tavin Pierre, Baldwin, F, 6-3, Sr.: A transfer from Christ the King, Pierre brings immediate playmaking ability to the Nassau Class AA runner-up Bruins.
Pierce Prendergast, Bayport-Blue Point, G, 6-6, Jr.: Averaged 21.3 points per game, including three games of at least 27 points last season.
Jarnel Rancy, Longwood, F, 6-7, Sr.: An athletic forward with a long wingspan, Rancy provides a tough matchup both on the offensive and defensive end, averaging eight rebounds and three blocks per game last year.
Micah Snowden, Center Moriches, F/C, 6-5, Sr.: A strong addition for Center Moriches, the big man averaged 21 points and 15 rebounds per game for Southampton last season.
Brandon Weiss, Jericho, G, 5-10, Jr.: A playmaker who averaged 16.5 points a game as a sophomore.
Jarrell White, Bellport, G/F, 6-4, Sr.: Could become the first player in school history to score either 2,000 points or record 1,000 rebounds, coach Peter Grossi said. The returning All-Long Island selection averaged 25.1 points and 12.6 rebound per game last season.
