#E75 Academic NY - 2020 Recap

Thursday, October 18th, 2018

The second annual Elite 75 Academic Experience New York took place this past Sunday at the Brewster Sports Center in Brewster, New York and hosted players in the classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021 to play in front of college coaches from top academic schools.

After breaking down the top unsigned seniors in attendance yesterday, today we’ll shift our focus to the best of the underclassmen. First up is the class of 2020.

Alpha Bangura, Archbishop Stepinac – The 6-foot-7 junior was one of the best long-term prospects in the field and perhaps made the biggest impression of anyone in attendance. He’s long, skilled for his size, really runs the floor, finishes above the rim, and is just beginning to tap into his potential.

Brandon Roughley, Salisbury – A stretch-four man in the making who fits a prototype that is in high demand in today’s college game, Roughley was another top prospect in attendance. In addition to his ability to stretch the floor, he ran well, had good length, solid hands, and finished through contact at the rim.

Miles Brewster, Hotchkiss – An ascending prospect who is bound to only continue to make a name for himself in the coming months, Brewster could be poised for a big junior campaign for Hotchkiss. He’s fast, aggressive, able to create tempo on demand, but also unselfish and able to make plays for others.

Max Edwards, Bunnell – One of the biggest breakout performers of the event, Edwards had a big showing and left the coaches in attendance believing he was a scholarship player. He’s powerful and athletic, almost impossible to stop when going to the rim, but also able to facilitate with passing skill and a feel for the game.

Keegan Sharp, Avon Old Farms – A repeat junior who has been showing increasing signs of being able to take his game to new levels in recent months, Sharpe has good size at 6-foot-9 and an emerging inside-out skill set. He has touch around the rim, is beginning to stretch the floor, can put it down some, and also has a passing instinct.

Jackson Benigni, Hamden Hall – A reclassified junior from Xavier, Benigni’s motor is the first thing that catches your eye. He’s a tough kid, competitor, and proven scorer who can both attack the rim and make open threes while simultaneously showing a high acumen for the game.

Josh Antoine, New York Military Academy – Another breakout performer, Antoine came in as a virtual unknown but looked like a prospect scholarship level coaches will need to know about in the coming year. He was versatile with his attack – making threes, scoring at the rim with both hands, and even making plays for others.

Garrett Kirk, NMH – The comparison to current Dartmouth guard Ian Sistare will only continue to grow as Kirk is as tough as they come and continuing to improve. He’s developed both his game and his body within the last year and now boasts a powerful physique to compliment his physical style along with more consistent shooting range from the arc.

Quinton Sneed-Lott, Kolbe Cathedral – Cut from a very similar cloth as Kirk, Sneed-Lott is tough, physical, and athletic with a terrific motor. He played as hard as anyone in the field, scored primarily with mid-range pull-ups and finishes in traffic, but wasn’t incapable of making a spot-up three.

Kyle Cuffe, Avon Old Farms – The other half of an inside-out tandem that should headline AOF’s attack for the next two years, Cuffe is an athletic lead guard who scores it both by attacking the rim as well as getting to his pull-up but also demonstrated a good feel for the game.

Justinas Norkus, Millbrook – He’s an intriguing prospect who will be an interesting one to watch over the next 18 months because while he’s still raw and just developing, he’s got good size at 6-foot-9, complimenting length, the ability to change ends, and developing skills

Dubem Anwunah, Hotchkiss – A modern day big man by many standards, Anwunah is a long and mobile athlete who can cover the court, defend away from the basket, protect the rim, and finish above it. As his skill set gradually continues to catch-up, his stock will only continue to rise.

Max Mitchell, Notre Dame Fairfield – A skilled combo-forward who is best known for his ability to shoot the ball, Mitchell is more than just a one-dimensional shot-maker though and actually a threat in all three ranges. He’s also a solid rebounder whose stock will rise as he evolves athletically.  

Tyler Staggs-Burgess, Bunnell – Edwards’ running mate at Bunnell, Staggs-Burgess is a strong combo-guard who plays an attacking style. He hunts paint touches, puts constant pressure on opposing defenses, and is able to absorb contact on his way to the rim.

DeAndre Ortiz, Marianapolis Prep – A well-built lefty wing with a bright future, Ortiz has a high motor and emerging game. His best individual offense comes in the mid-range area right now with potential to extend his range in the future.

Luca Magnani, NMH – A first year NMH product, Magnani is a shot-maker despite an unorthodox release goes across his body almost like former Sacramento Kings All-Star Peja Stojakovic. Magnani needs to continue to sculpt his frame and adjust to pace of play to take his game to the next level.

Peter Ryan, Avon Old Farms – Ryan is a solid point guard who competes and makes open shots. He might not be quite as dynamic as Cuffe in the backcourt or have the same upside as Sharp up front, but his value is no less substantial to AOF as he’ll become part of the program’s key junior trio.

Alexander Gibbens, New Canaan – He’s a good shooter from behind the arc who has continued to develop his body and the versatility of his floor game. Gibbens is naturally competitive and now physically strong. He’s improving his ability to put the ball on the floor and has become a well-rounded player.  

Kaddin Berry, Kionioa Academy – An intriguing long-term prospect who is still all arms and legs physically and just beginning to grow into his body, Berry has some natural talent that should come to the forefront as his body develops. Beyond his length, he also passes well and scores at the rim with craft.

Jahkai Pettway, Hamden Hall – A power player with a college ready body and physical approach, Pettway can bully most opposing defenders but is perhaps most valuable on the defensive end with his ability to check multiple positions.

Justin Morety, Archbishop Stepinac - An athletic slasher who gets to the rim, excels in transition, and can turn the corner on a ball screen, Morety was yet another Archbishop Stepinac product that proved to be a future college player.