Young New York, New Jersey Stars Have Chance to Impress College Coaches at Hoophall Classic

Bob Hurley remembers his St. Anthony’s team playing on the grand stage of the Hoophall Classic against Malik Monk and Bentonville (AR) a year ago.

Monk, who had signed with Kentucky, scored 22 points in a loss in front of Wildcats coach John Calipari, but it was St. Anthony’s junior guard R.J. Cole who really made a name for himself.

“It’s a big, big stage and when a kid plays on that stage and plays well, it’s something that you remember,” Hurley, whose team has won 41 straight games, said Thursday on The 4 Quarters Podcast. “Last year Malik Monk scored [22] points, R.J. Cole scored 23. R.J. scored the first 16 points of the game, and after that game he and his family knew he was going to get a scholarship because he had done that on a stage that’s even bigger than when you play in the state final.”

Cole ultimately chose Howard over Monmouth and Boston University, but a whole new crop of young New York and New Jersey stars will get a chance to impress college coaches this weekend at the Hoophall Classic.

One New York team –Archbishop Molloy — and five New Jersey teams — Roselle Catholic, Hudson Catholic, Blair Academy, St. Anthony’s and The Patrick School — will be on display at the Hoophall at Springfield College beginning Saturday.

The Patrick School has five seniors signed to Division 1 schools, including Kentucky-bound big man Nick Richards. Blair Academy has four signed players. And St. Anthony’s has Cole.

But all the teams feature uncommitted younger players who will be on a national stage in front of a slew of college coaches.

Molloy features 7-foot-1 junior big man Moses Brown, 6-6 junior wing Khalid Moore and 6-3 sophomore point guard Cole Anthony, the son of former NBA point guard Greg Anthony. All three are being recruited at the highest levels.

“I believe any time our players can play against a quality team in a great atmosphere like this, it’s a great opportunity,” Molloy coach Mike McCleary said.

The Jersey schools all have elite talent, too.

Naz Reid is a 6-11 junior big man from Roselle Catholic, who is being courted by Syracuse, UConn, Kentucky, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Rutgers, among others.

Hudson Catholic features Reid’s Sports U teammates, the junior trio of wing Louis King, point guard Jahvon Quinerly and Luther Muhammad.

In addition to its seniors, The Patrick School features sophomore guard Al-Amir Dawes, whom Calipari spotted while recruiting Richards, as well as junior guard Jordan Walker and junior big man Valdir Manuel.

St. Anthony’s, meantime, has sophomore guard Alexander Rice, the son of Monmouth coach King Rice who hit the game-winning three-pointer on Tuesday night in the win over the Ranney School, and 6-10 junior shot-blocker 6-9 Akuwovo “Savior” Ogeneyole.

“Hoophall is one of the premier events nationally every year so we are excited for the opportunity to go back and challenge ourselves against another national opponent,” RC coach Dave Boff said. “It’s a great measuring stick for us and also a chance for our guys to be seen by a ton of college coaches. These are opportunities that very few programs get so we are very appreciative of the opportunity.”

In addition to the recruiting aspect, Hurley said the whole experience of going to the Hall of Fame will leave an impression on all the kids.

“Oh, it’s amazing,” Hurley said. “When the kids all get up there, you’re staying with all the top teams. Oak Hill is there, all the top teams, they’re all staying at two hotels. You go to the Hall of Fame, you look at the history of the sport and then you go over to the college and then you walk in and you see media from all over the country. You see film crews. You see college coaches everywhere, basically every staff will be represented. It’s a big, big stage.”

 

Here’s the full schedule: