Hoop Dreams NYC

As we celebrate 10 years since we started Hoop Dreams NYC, we are bringing something new to our end-of-year coverage of High School Basketball called HDNYC Honors. This is our way of honoring the student-athletes in the NYC Area and recapping some of the action we have covered this season.

Let’s start with the defenders. This season we have seen many players in this city change the game with their defensive prowess. From the shotblockers, the wing defenders, ball pressers to the ones who have jumping in passing lanes down to the science. This city has some of the best defenders out there and they say defense wins championships. The players nominated for this award all played a role in winning a championship or made a deep postseason run for the team. Here are the winners for each division in the PSAL.

PSAL 2A Defensive Player Of The Year: Delano “ Bam” McCollum, PG Seward Park Campus HS

Delano “Bam” McCollum solidified himself as one of the top on-ball defenders in the city this season, and he turned it up a notch in the city playoffs. The 5-9 guard recorded 21 steals in five playoff games, including a career high nine steals against Brooklyn College Academy in the quarterfinals. McCollum will be taking his talents to Mohawk Valley CC in the fall. 

PSAL 3A Defensive Player of the Year: Jayveon Jones, G Achievement First

The 6-2 junior from Achievement First HS in Brooklyn has defending passing lanes down to a science. Jones came in 1st in voting, with a slight edge over players such as Eagle Harlem’s Steven Tenorio and Thomas Edison’s Dewayne Joyner. The two-time PSAL 3A Champion will forever be known for his season-defining defensive plays in the city semis and championship, where he stole the ball for game-sealing dunks. His biggest steal has to be against Cinderella Bayside high school in the semifinals.

PSAL 4A Defensive Player of the Year: Amir Dockery PG Eagle Academy For Young Men Brooklyn

The 5-10 Junior’s defense is game-changing, from jumping passing lanes to getting stops

During pivotal moments of the game, Dockery’s defense makes an immediate impact on the outcome of the game. Dockery has had multiple games throughout the season and postseason with 4+ steals, complementing his offensive game. The two-time all-state honoree is only getting better, as he will be on the shortlist of candidates for the NYS player of the year award next season. 

HDNYC PSAL All-Defensive Teams

First Team

Talen Knowles – 6-4 G Eagle Academy Bronx

Jaden Howard – 6-6 G/F Eagle Academy Brooklyn

Branniel Salas 6-3 SG Brandeis Campus HS

JJ Addison – 6-6 SF Wings Academy High School

Jayden Thomas 6-2 wing South Bronx Prep

Second Team

Donte Cromwell 6-6 Wing Eagle Academy Brooklyn

Dewayne Joyner 6-2 Guard – Thomas Edison HS

Steven Tenorio 6-4 Guard / Forward – Eagle Harlem /Percy Sutton

Aiden Johnson 6-2 G/W Harry S. Truman High School

Pregnon “Milli” Titi Forest Hills High School

Honorable Mention

Kendry Ortiz 6-3 SG Thomas Jefferson High School

Elijah King 6-3 G Eagle Academy Bronx

Juan Tinch 6-0 G Graphics Campus HS

Ryan Edwards 6-2 G Eagle Academy Bronx

Hunter Fraizer 6-9 F/C – Eagle Academy Bronx

Nomar Infante- Seward Park

Denim Trotman – Eagle Academy Bronx

Kamryn Boyd – Brandeis Campus,

Shane Fitzpatrick – The Scholars Academy