Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Sharette Dixon Classic to Showcase Big East, ACC Recruits
St. John’s pledge Shamorie Ponds is one of 12 Division 1 commits playing in Sunday’s Sharette Dixon Classic at the Gauchos Gym. (Photo by Kelly Kline/Under Armour)
The future of the Big East and ACC Conferences will be on display Sunday in the 7th Annual Sharette Dixon Classic at the Gauchos Gym.
Four players committed to Big East schools — Shamorie Ponds (St. John’s), Jagan Mosely (Georgetown), Omari Spellman (Villanova) and Myles Powell (Seton Hall) — and three players pledged to ACC schools — Ty Jerome (Virginia), Tyus Battle (Syracuse) and T.J. Gibbs (Notre Dame) — are slated to play in the Upperclassmen game beginning at 8 p.m.
Former Rutgers head coach Mike Rice will coach the New Jersey team, while former Seton Hall assistant and Lincoln High head coach Tiny Morton will coach the New Jersey side. Admission is $10.
“It’s New York vs. New Jersey, it’s bragging rights,” tournament organizer Chris Alesi of the NY Rens told The 4 Quarters Podcast. “It’s really high level talent. In addition to that we’re really excited about the return of Tiny Morton to the high school game, and having Mike Rice as a part of it is really special. We’re excited.”
In all, the game will feature 12 players committed to Division 1 schools, including Bryce Aiken (Harvard), Christian Vital (UNLV), Ray Salnave (Monmouth), Cyril Langevine (Rhode Island), and Breein Tyree (Ole Miss).
The Upperclassmen also features several high-profile uncommitted players including Mohamed Bamba, Nick Richards, Andre Rafus, Jordan Tucker, Sidney Wilson and Isaiah Washington.
In the past, the game has produced seven McDonald’s All-Americans: Kyrie Irving, Kyle Anderson, Isaiah Whitehead, Isaiah Briscoe, Cheick Diallo, Jayvaughn Pinkston and Myck Kabongo.
The Underclassmen Game which begins at 6 p.m. also features a slew of big-time recruits, including Roselle Catholic big man Naz Reid and the Hudson Catholic duo of Jahvon Quinerly and Luther Muhammad.
“If you’re a fan of college basketball, or even if you’re a fan of the pro game, this is a really good chance to get out to a nice venue and see some guys before the become major, major household names,” Alesi said.
NYC UpperclassmenCoaches: Tiny Morton, David Gates & Charles Jones
NO. PLAYER HIGH SCHOOL
1 Ty Jerome Iona Prep (VIRGINIA)
2 Jordan Tucker Archbishop Stepinac
3 Shamorie Ponds Thomas Jefferson (ST. JOHN’S)
4 Ray Salnave Benjamin Cardozo (MONMOUTH)
5 Hasahn French Commonwealth Academy
6 Sidney Wilson St. Raymond
7 Isaiah Washington St. Raymond
8 Saquan Singleton Monsignor Scanlan
9 Christian Vital St. Thomas More (UNLV)
10 Keith Williams Bishop Loughlin
11 Mohamed Bamba Westtown
12 Omari Spellman St. Thomas More (VILLANOVA)
13 Jose Alvarado Christ the King
*-Sharette Dixon Academic Excellence Award Winner
NJ UpperclassmenCoach: Mike Rice, Marcus Toney-El, Brian Coleman
NO. PLAYER HIGH SCHOOL
1 Tyus Battle St. Joseph (Metuchen) (SYRACUSE)
2 Nick Richards Patrick School
3 Bryce Aiken Patrick School (HARVARD)
4 Samson George St. Anthony
5 Myles Powell South Kent (SETON HALL)
6 Andre Rafus Roselle Catholic
7 Leondre Washington Roselle Catholic
8 Jamir Harris Patrick School
9 Jagan Mosley St. Anthony (GEORGETOWN)
10 TJ Gibbs Seton Hall Prep (NOTRE DAME)
11 Nate Pierre-Louis Roselle Catholic
12 Cyril Langevine Patrick School (RHODE ISLAND)
13 Breein Tyree St. Joseph (Metuchen) (OLE MISS)
14 Justin Minaya Old Tappan
*-Sharette Dixon Academic Excellence Award Winner
NYC UnderclassmenCoaches: Roosevelt Byers, Terrance “Munch” Williams & Hector Almodovar
NO. PLAYER HIGH SCHOOL
1 Omar Silverio St. Raymond
2 Tyler Bourne Abraham Lincoln
3 Cole Anthony Archbishop Molloy
4 Joe Toussiant Cardinal Hayes
5 Precious Achiuwa Our Saviour Lutheran
10 Andre Hyatt Archbishop Stepinac
11 Malik Martin Curtis
12 Idan Tretout Bishop Loughlin
13 Marquis Nowell Bishop Laughlin
14 Khalid Moore Archbishop Molloy
15 Mamadou Doucore Our Savior New American
23 Boubacar Diakite Our Savior New American
32 Isaiah Mucius St. James School
*-Sharette Dixon Academic Excellence Award Winner
NJ UnderclassmenCoaches: Reggie Carter, AD Gaffney & Vincent Johnson
NO. PLAYER HIGH SCHOOL
1 Tavon Jones Linden
2 Nazreon Reid Roselle Catholic
3 Luther Muhammed Hudson Catholic
4 Louis King Pope John
5 Justin Winston West Orange
10 Jalen Carey Dwight-Englewood
11 Jaquaye James Teaneck
12 Bryan Antoine Ranney
13 Scottie Lewis Ranney
14 Khalif Battle St. Joseph (Metuchen)
15 Aaron Clark Pope John
24 Jalen Lecque Monsignor Scanlan
*-Sharette Dixon Academic Excellence Award Winner
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
