By ZACH SMART
Throughout the torrent of talent within the area, and even as the scene pivots to the upstate landscape, the New York area possesses both heavily recruited and fairly unnoticed and lesser heralded prospects.
There has been plenty of New York and NYC AAU representation at jam-packed, exposure-heavy events this season, with the prestigious Hoophall Classic recently wrapping up in Springfield, Mass.
Here is a look at guys both heavily situated at the top of the recruiting radar and guys who still have yet to be discovered:
Darius Adams, La Lumiere–The PSA Cardinals product is a 6-foot-5 floor stretching shooter with the uniqueness of positional versatility, as he’s steadily evolved into a consistent rebounding presence.
The Class of 2025 Adams is a heady, dish-first facilitator who has an advanced IQ at this phase of his development.
While he’s established himself as a long range shooting threat, he’s adapted to a crafty lane-navigation skill set. With his ability to quarterback a team, Adams is able to fire in darts with either hand and really ignite the uptempo, transition attack at La Lumiere. Adams is coming off a 13-point, six rebound, and four assists performance against Sunrise Christian Academy (KS) at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.
Adams was instrumental in spearheading Manasquan (NJ) to a state title as a sophomore, when his game first started to flourish and generate national visibility.
Flanked by more high end talent at La Lumiere, which worked the phones and accelerated the relationship-building process hard in renewing its status as a national power, Adams has transformed his game while adding a bevy of high major offers.
He currently holds offers from the likes of Kansas, Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee, Virginia, Xavier, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Penn State, among others.
He’s ascended the mountaintops of the nation’s best point guards in the 2025 class and simultaneously one of the best players nationally.
Braylan Ritvo, Stepinac–The 6-foot-8 Ritvo morphed into the mad gunslinger on an immense stage at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., as he scored 27 points on the strength of a scalding 10-for-16 from the field, including 7-for-10 from beyond the confines of the arc.
RItvo dialed in deep, opportunistic 3-pointers, displayed patience in his back to the rim game and simply stole the spotlight during a game which featured the intriguing battle between Kentucky-bound guard Boogie Fland (17 points) and nationally lauded left handed 2024 Rutgers-bound, Don Bosco Prep (NJ) point guard Dylan Harper.
Ritvo registered his imprint as a unique threat with his efficient shot-making and workload on the interior attack.
The big wing has played significant minutes since he was a sophomore, discovering his stroke while sparking the team off the bench.
He rapidly emerged into a stabilizing presence in multiple games this season.
He lit up Corona Centennial (CA) to the tune of 30 points during the opening phase of the season and torched a talented, youth-laden Cardinal Hayes team for 39 points and 12 rebounds.
Beyond his timely grenade launching in that one, Ritvo made a heads up pass to a jarringly open Class of 2024 guard Aamyr Sullivan, who stuck a corner 3-pointer.
This shot proved to be the heavily sharpened stake sent through Hayes’ heart during a game-sealing spurt.
Ritvo has established himself as a lob finisher and proficient around the rim scorer, as he proved during a 10-point, seven rebound showing en route to a 99-64 home bludgeoning of formidable CHSAA “AA” foe Christ The King on Friday.
Ritvo scored 21 points, tore down seven boards, and had three blocks during the Crusaders thorough throttling of Scanlan last night.
On Wednesday, Ritvo made his commitment official. He committed Quinnipiac University and proven, veteran coach Tom Pecora. QU has a long history of nurturing NY area talent, many of whom authored illustrious careers at the program.
James Feldeine (Cardinal Hayes), James Johnson (Bishop Loughlin), Justin Rutty (Newburgh) and more recently Savion Lewis, who has dished out 24 assists in the Bobcats’ last three games, are indicative of this.
Rob Phelps Jr., Bedford Academy–Teeming with upside and possessing a delicate perimeter touch when he catches and instantly gets his feet set, Phelps Jr. is the son of former Nazareth star Rob Phelps. The elder Phelps is forever embedded in New York City lore, his scoring cyborg-like tactics the kernel of his value as a big bodied, physical 6-foot-5 guard.
Phelps Sr. scored 2,477 career points and his production rate continued at Providence College, where he was a key figure in guiding the Friars to a 1994 Big East Championship.
Phelps Jr. may not have the innate killer tactics as his dynamic scoring father, albeit the skill set and the promise are both evident.
Phelps Jr. has grown to 6-foot-5 in a short period of time while developing an inside-outside scorer’s mentality at Bedford, as he oozes of upside. Phelps Jr. had a recent 15-point performance during Bedford’s recent loss to Westinghouse, albeit his athletic gifts and potential were evident.
Phelps Jr. has surfaced as a left-handed floor spreader with a knack for straight-away and corner 3-pointers. He’s developed a fluid mid range game. He brings a wingspan and instinctive style which enables him to utilize his defensive positional versatility. He vacillates between sitting down on guards and simultaneously using his length to block and manipulate shots.
A young junior, Phelps Jr.’s best days on the hardwood are well ahead of him.
He’s enhanced his role with this Bedford team as the Class of 2025 Phelps Jr. has ball tracking skills as a rebounding presence.
As he continues to make strength a livelihood and high order commitment, the ease with which Phelps Jr. slithers into the paint should eventually make him the high wattage scorer on which Bedford leans. He needs to develop a killer instinct and a more aggressive approach in scoring the ball on all three levels.
Trevor Amalfitano , Port Washington–The 6-foot-5 floor spreader is a lights out shooter with range and a knack for executing game-altering scoring surges.
The Class of 2024 senior has developed an assailant’s instinct with his knack for hitting timely 3-pointers and dagger 3-pointers, taking it upon himself to call his own number during heightened moments of pressure and crunch time. He’s rapidly evolved as an all around scorer, tearing into the driving lanes and utilizing his left hand. He’s developed a repertoire complete with fakes, pull-ups, hesitations, and crafty at the rim finishes.
A 1000+ point career scorer, Amalfitano has thrived a polished, proven veteran all around scorer. The Long Island native has a proclivity for hitting shots with a degree of difficulty and amid hard close-outs. An integral piece of his development has been his metamorphosis into a hard driving, high wired act proficient attacker who relishes contact.
Terence Thompson, Franklin–The upstate product has a college-ready build and operates like a true and traditional big, with an imposing size and back to the rim scoring presence at 6-foot-7. Thompson has had multiple games of 20+ points and 20+ rebounds. He anchors Franklin significantly defensively, possessing length as a promising rim protector who changes and manipulates shots inside.
Thompson had a wild, convincing showing which cemented his status as one of the state’s best bigs and arguably the best player in the Rochester area, scoring 31 points and pulling down 21 rebounds during a win over McQuaid last month.
