Hoop Dreams NYC

A look back at some of the Trending Topics and News from the Past Weekend in NYC high school Basketball as well as A look at the Week ahead curated by Editor in Chief Jaquam Bodden

MAGIC MEL CHOOSES SAINT LOUIS 

Jermel “Magic Mel” made his commitment today to Saint Louis official on Nike’s Baseline Banter show hosted by game announcers  David “Chaching” Teele and Jaden Edwards aka Mr. Talk Spicy.

Thomas a 6-3 PG who’s entering his senior year at Our Savior Lutheran in the Bronx chose the Billikens over Seton Hall and Providence of the Big East. 

More on Thomas’s commitment and interview with his father Scooter here

Nike NYC’s NY vs NY Boys & Girls Final Four is Set

This past weekend, Gersh Park, West 4th, Watson, and Dyckman clinched their spots in the NY vs. NY semifinals on August 9th at Victory Park, which will be located inside Central Park’s Wollman Rink. 

Defending NY vs NY champion Dyckman and West 4th finished this past Saturday’s Girls Jamboree undefeated while Watson (2019 Champ) and Gersh (champions 2022-2024) went 1-1. 

Dyckman, Gersh, Watson, and Tri-State round out the Boys Final Four which will also occur on August 9th. Winners from both the Boys and Girls Semifinals will play in the NY vs NY championships on Sunday, August 10th. 

WINGS ACADEMY WELCOMES HOME TOP DMV PROSPECT 

Wings Academy announced yesterday the addition of JJ Addison. Addison a 6-6 guard who’s originally from the Bronx will be finishing his HS career at Wings Academy after spending the majority of his HS career at Frederick HS in Maryland. Last season he averaged 24 points a game leading Frederick HS to a Maryland State Championship. Addison also won Frederick County player of the year honors. Addison had a big summer with the MD Movement AAU team on the Made Hoops Circuit and has already been offered by UMass Lowell. 

This past weekend Addison suited up with Dream Chasers at the Watson Classic and dropped 24 points to help them advance in the high school division playoffs. 

SMARTBALL CLASSIC ROUND OF 32 TIPS OFF TONIGHT IN HARLEM

Tonight at Abraham Lincoln playground located at 135th Street and Lenox Avenue at 6pm St. Peter’s will face Canarsie and at 8pm defending Smartball champions Thomas Jefferson will go up against Benjamin Banneker. Benjamin Banneker led by 2026 PG Daryus Coachman was one of two teams that went 2-0 in the play-in round last week with wins against Kennedy Catholic and Earl Monroe. 

Players to Watch in Tonight’s Smartball opener 

2027 6-6 SF Talib Martin – St. Peter’s 

2026 6-6 G/F PJ Singleton – Canarsie HS 

2026 6-8 Forward Devin Clarke – Canarsie HS 

2026 6-0 PG Daryus Coachman Benjamin Banneker 

2026 6-2 SG Kristian Charles – Benjamin Banneker 

2026 6-4 G Jahda Swann – Thomas Jefferson HS 

2026 6-5 G/F Tudor Tanase – Thomas Jefferson HS 

2026 6-1 PG Trevor Lewis – Thomas Jefferson HS 

IN OTHER NEWS….

NYC Prospects kicked off the 1st session of their Summer League this past weekend at Washington Hall Playground. The tournament hosts teams from all leagues within the metro area looking to prepare for the upcoming HS season. In their third year of the League, they picked up some big sponsors in Local Hoops and Fini Pizza.

Follow NYC Prospects on all platforms for top performers from their league and more. Their second session begins Friday August 8th.

TEAM NIKE SELECT IN THE PRO CITY PLAYOFFS

Tonight the youngest team in the history of Pro City Team Nike Select will be playing in the playoffs at 8pm. Coached by legendary HS coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton, Team Nike Select has a roster with majority of the top high school prospects in the area. In recent weeks they have caught the attention of the city thanks to a 45-point outburst by 2027 5-star PG Anderson Diaz on July 23rd a week later Elhadji Diallo helped lead Team Nike Select to a comeback win.