Counting down to tipoff and previewing the incoming freshmen of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a look at the Manhattan Jaspers.
Manhattan endured plenty of injuries in 2012-13 and registered 14 triumphs (nine in MAAC play). Steve Masiello’s Jaspers advanced to the conference finals before falling to Iona, 60-57. Masiello welcomes three freshmen to Riverdale: Carlton Allen, Rich Williams and Tyler Wilson.
Carlton Allen C 6-10, 240 Ewing, N.J./ Life Center Academy
Played at Life Center Academy under head coach Pervis Ellison, an 11-year NBA veteran … ranked on ESPN.com as the 41st player at his position in 2013 class … named conference’s most valuable player after his junior year … played his first two years at Ewing High School where he helped the Blue Devils to a 23-6 overall record as a sophomore. Cousin Lavoy plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.
What they’re saying about Carlton Allen: Jay Gomes/ NJ Hoops – “He’s a big body. He’s kind of old school in that he’s a low post guy. He doesn’t try to be a wing. He lost about 40 or so pounds. His body has gotten in shape. He’s never been a big scorer, but he’s a big body who uses his strength well. He will bang and defend in the low post and will also score a little bit in the low post.”
Allen Rubin/Hoop Scoop: “I give him credit. He worked real hard on his body. He got in shape. He’s strictly a close to the basket player. He can score in close, and he’s a good rebounder.”
Steve Keller/National Recruiting Report: “He slimmed down late in his high school career and that’s a good sign. He can do some things around the basket.”
Rich Williams G 6-5, 190 Brooklyn, N.Y./ Transit Tech/Vermont Academy
Prepped a year at Vermont Academy under head coach Jesse Bopp … earned Class AA all-league honors in the New England Prep School Athletic Council … produced 15 points and eight rebounds per game at Vermont Academy … Dean’s List student … played high school basketball at Transit Tech in Brooklyn, the same high school that current Jasper Rhamel Brown attended … ranked among the top 20 seniors in New York City after his career at Transit Tech … named the Hoop Hall Classic MVP in January 2013 … also starred in the Jordan Brand Classic’s regional game at the Barclays Center.
What they’re saying about Rich Williams: Steve Keller/National Recruiting Report: “He’s going to do the most for them. He really came on at the end of his high school career and then went on to prep school. He’s a pretty good get for them. He can really score. He’s probably one of the best players coming into the league.”
Tyler Wilson G 6-0, 175 Bronx, N.Y./ Cardinal Hayes
All-Bronx point guard as a junior and senior at Cardinal Hayes under head coach Joe Lods … named All-Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) as a junior and a senior played his first two years at Rice High School under head coach Dwayne Mitchell … helped lead Cardinal Hayes to the CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals as a junior … averaged approximately 12 points and seven assists per game as a junior … played his AAU ball with New Heights and head coach Chris Alesi.
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