By ZACH SMART
The 10th annual Shooting Stars Showcase will provide a unique environment for a bevy of highly acclaimed and still relatively obscure recruits with upside.
The event, orchestrated by Riverside Hawks head honcho KarrIem Memminger, will kick off on Sunday at Mount St. Michael High School in The Bronx.
Boston College-commit Jack Bailey, a 6-foot-10 Class of 2025 forward of Blair Academy (NJ), George Washington-commit Vince Chaudhri, a versatile 6-foot-8 wing who averaged 18 points and eight boards for the Riverside Hawks this summer, and Fairfield commit Nasir Rodriguez, a physical high scoring guard now at Northfield Mount Hermon (MA), will all play in the event.
Class of 2026 guard Deron Rippey Jr. of Blair Academy (NJ) is coming off a 25-point, 6-assist, 4-rebound showing against The Phelps School (PA). Rippey Jr. was a revelation during the prestigious Made Hoops Jordan Classic at Baruch College, scoring 30 points on the strength of a smoking 6-for-9 from beyond the arc during a win over OSL. The acrobatic, dynamic 6-foot-1 Class of 2026 is hearing from an array of high major programs. Arkansas, North Carolina, Syracuse, Providence, St. John’s, Rutgers, Kentucky, Villanova, Kansas, Louisville, and others have been in hot pursuit of Rippey Jr. The Brooklyn native brings a vertically explosive game with a scoring prowess. His efficiency was notable during the Jordan Classic, as he shot a scalding 21-for-28 from the field in two games.
See Shooting Stars Showcase player profiles@WingsAcademyBB https://t.co/3mYGPHQBak@BKCollegiate_BB https://t.co/BK8J3SykKh@HotchkissHoops https://t.co/FgBNAKEcME@CAAsburyKnights https://t.co/EJSTbPoerE https://t.co/m6pLbqPNDd
— RecruitTheBronx (@RecruitTheBronx) January 8, 2025
Ethan Johnston, a stock riser in the 2026 class now at The Hill School (PA), will also play in the event.. Johnston recently rattled off Marquette, Villanova, Illinois, and Georgetown as the programs he’s hearing from most consistently.
While Blair has a focal point and national talent in Rippey Jr., Joe Mantegna’s program features a stock riser in 2036 guard Jean Chatman. Following his performance at the aforementioned Made Hoops Jordan Holiday Classic, Chatman has gained offers from George Washington, Xavier, Seton Hall, and West Virginia.
The event will have some local representation with Cardinal Hayes of the CHSAA “AA” conference. The program features a big, multi-positional point guard in 6-foot-5 Class of 2026 point guard Malik Fields. Fields holds offers from the likes of Texas A & M, TCU, Fordham, East Carolina, and others.
David Gaymon has been a stabilizing influence for a youth-laden core. He’s coming off a 21-point performance, behind 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, in Hayes’ 60-44 victory over South Shore during the aforementioned Made Hoops Jordan Classic.
Preston Merrick of the Hotchkiss School (CT) has college ready intangibles as a well built 6-foot-5 guard with dazzling above rim athleticism and a three-level scoring aptitude.
St. Benedict’s point guard Michai White has been a national stock-riser in the 2028 class. He’s shown flashes as a play-maker who sees the floor well and creates space off his handle.
Photo:@EliteHSscouting
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