The MLK holiday weekend has annually converged some of the nation’s top HS prospects in New York City for the Big Apple Invitational. This year’s showcase will feature one of the most star-studded line-ups in its 12-year history, as it welcomes the top ranked junior prospect in North America Thon Maker, among an array of other blue-chippers.
Full announcement from our friends at Big Apple Basketball:
Big Apple Basketball (BAB) will host the 12th Annual Big Apple Basketball Invitational on Saturday, January 17 and Monday, January 19, 2015 at Baruch College in New York City. The invitational features 17 top high school and prep school teams from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ontario, Canada.
The invitational will feature New York City schools, St. Raymond, Benjamin Cardozo, Thurgood Marshall, Cardinal Hayes, and Abraham Lincoln; along with Orangeville Prep (Ontario, Canada), Gill St. Bernard’s (New Jersey), Long Island Lutheran (Long Island), Phelps (Pennsylvania), Saint James (Maryland), St. John’s College High School (Washington, DC), Seton Hall Prep (New Jersey), Genesis Academy (Virginia), South Kent (Connecticut), MacDuffie (Massachusetts), Life Center Academy (New Jersey) and Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains).
Notable players include Thon Maker (Orangeville Prep – rated #1 Junior in U.S. and Canada), Tyus Battle (Gill St. Bernard’s – Top 15 Junior Nationally), Jordan Tucker (Archbishop Stepinac – Top 20 Sophomore Nationally), Omari Spellman (MacDuffie – Top 25 Junior Nationally), Tremont Waters (South Kent – Top 30 Sophomore Nationally), Josh Hall (Genesis Academy – Top 60 Junior Nationally), Temple Gibbs (Seton Hall Prep – Top 60 Junior Nationally), Justin Robinson (Saint James – Virginia Tech), Amarveer Singh (Thurgood Marshall – Top 80 Junior Nationally), Traci Carter (Life Center – Top 90 Senior Nationally), Devonte Green (L.I.Lutheran – Top 100 Junior Nationally); along with several other nationally ranked student-athletes.
Locally, Benjamin Cardozo are the defending public school city champions and are attempting a repeat. St. Raymond is expected to be a contender for the catholic league title.
NBA players who have participated in the BAB Invitational include: Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets); Danny Green (San Antonio Spurs); Lance Stephenson (Charlotte Hornets); Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons); Brandon Knight (Milwaukee Bucks); Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers); Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns); Tobias Harris (Orlando Magic) and Steven Adams (Oklahoma City Thunder).
Since 2004, the Big Apple Basketball Invitational event has helped over 2,500 student-athletes gain exposure for college scholarships through this event. BAB annually sponsors selected high schools for the showcase and invites college coaches nationally to travel to New York City to scout the student-athletes for scholarship opportunities.
Founded in 1999, Big Apple Basketball is a not-for-profit organization which provides exposure and assists young people in their athletic, educational, professional, and life skill development.
Notes:
*Long Island Lutheran is currently ranked #9 nationally by USA Today.
*Thon Maker, the top ranked junior in the U.S. and Canada, will confirm in January if he will reclassify to the Class of 2015, which could impact the 2016 NBA draft.
*John Calipari’s son, Brad Calipari is a senior, point guard at The MacDuffie School.
*Former NBA player, Pervis Ellison is the head coach of Life Center Academy.
*Benjamin Cardozo coach, Ron Naclerio won his 700th career victory in December. Now in his 35th season, he is the third winningest coach in NY State history and needs just17 victories to tie Charles Granby as the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) leader.
*Long Island Lutheran standout, Devonte Green, is the younger brother of San Antonio Spurs guard, Danny Green, who was also a participant in the 2005 BAB Invitational.
SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015
12:00 pm – Stepinac (NY) vs. Thurgood Marshall Academy (Manhattan)
1:45 pm – MacDuffie (MA) vs. Life Center Academy (NJ)
3:30 pm – Seton Hall Prep (NJ) vs. Benjamin Cardozo (Queens)
5:15 pm – St. John’s College HS (DC) vs. St. Raymond (Bronx)
7pm – Orangeville Prep (CAN) vs. Phelps School (PA)
SCHEDULE – MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014
12:00 pm – Cardinal Hayes (Bronx) vs. Abraham Lincoln (Brooklyn)
1:45 pm – Genesis Academy (VA) vs. South Kent (CT)
3:45 pm – Saint James School (MD) vs. St. Raymond (Bronx)
5:30 pm – Gill St. Bernard’s (NJ) vs. L.I. Lutheran (NY)
*The Baruch College gymnasium is located at 55 Lexington Avenue (on the corner of E. 24th Street and Lexington Avenue).
