BLOG
Event Recap: 2025 Gotham Hoops Classic
The 6th Annual Gotham Hoops Classic delivered an action-packed weekend of high school and prep basketball, featuring intense matchups, standout performances, and thrilling finishes.
The 6th Annual Gotham Hoops Classic took center stage on February 1st and 2nd at Stevenson High School in The Bronx. The two-day event showcased 17 boy’s teams across NY, NJ, CT and PA. Over 300 student-athletes competed in front of fans, media, and college coaches, delivering competitive performances across 11 games.
Final Scores from the Showcase
Day 1 Results (February 1st)
Game 1: Lawrence Woodmere Academy - White (NY) 63 def. Wings Academy (NY) 59
Long Island’s LWA started strong, powered by a combined 18 first-quarter points from guards Josh Smith (‘26) and Hank Williams (‘27). Despite a late push by Wings Academy, highlighted by Rushawn Greene’s 16 second-half points, LWA held on for the four-point win. Williams, who finished with 22 points, earned Game MVP honors presented by The Zone.
Game 2: Holy Cross High School (NY) 59 def. Forest Hills High School (NY) 56
In this all-Queens Catholic vs. Public School showdown, Holy Cross maintained control throughout. Senior Avery Taitt-Christina led the way with 24 points, including 16 in the first half, earning Game MVP honors. Freshman standout Aaron Tutt impressed for Forest Hills with a team-high 18 points.
Game 3: Mount St. Michael Academy (NY) 67 def. Stevenson High School (NY) 62
Host Stevenson led at halftime but Mount St. Michael’s defensive intensity secured the comeback win. Freshman guards Matthew Santiago (16 points) and Shane Lopez (9 points) shared Game MVP honors. Stevenson’s Yohansel Batista Castro led all scorers with 17 points.
Game 4: Bridgeport Prep (CT) 96 def. Broome Street Academy - National (NY) 95
A high-scoring thriller saw Bridgeport build a commanding lead before Broome Street’s Andre Wright Jr. erupted for eight second-half three-pointers. Despite his 30-point explosion, Bridgeport held on, led by Josue Kangudi’s 21 points, which earned him Game MVP honors.
Game 5: Knox School - Post Grad (NY) 107 def. Life Center Academy (NJ) 54
Knox dominated from start to finish, turning an 18-point halftime lead into a 53-point rout. Christopher Eldredge (18 points) and Bryceson Dobie (16 points) shared Game MVP honors. Life Center’s Rasheem Yon poured in a game-high 33 points in the loss.
Day 2 Results (February 2nd)
Game 6: Bridgeport Prep (CT) 120 def. Rocktop Academy (PA) 86
Bridgeport followed up their first win with another dominant performance, placing eight players in double figures. Big man Harvin Guevara led with 18 points and was named Game MVP. Rocktop’s Nick Oliver countered with a game-high 33 points.
Game 7: Thurgood Marshall Academy (NY) 57 def. Baldwin High School (NY) 45
In their third Gotham Hoops Classic matchup since 2020, TMA secured the rubber match. Norfolk State commit Ahmad Torrence led the way with 22 points and Game MVP honors, while Baldwin’s standout senior Chase Timberlake posted 12 points in the loss.
Game 8: Covenant Prep (NY) 90 def. Redemption Christian Academy (NY) 89
In a nail-biting battle, Covenant took control late before Redemption Christian’s Yeison Liberato was fouled on a three-point attempt with under a second remaining. Liberato made the first two free throws but missed the last, and RCA’s last-second tip-in attempt rimmed out, sealing the win for Covenant. Keenan Gray’s all-around performance (26 points) earned him Game MVP honors, while Teron Murray Jr.’s huge second half (32 points) helped secure the victory. Liberato led all scorers with 36 points in the hard-fought loss.
Game 9: Knox School - Post Grad (NY) 98 def. Rocktop Academy (PA) 88
A closer contest than their first game, Knox edged out Rocktop despite Nick Oliver’s 28-point second half. Arkansas-native Ben Manuel led Knox with 25 points, earning Game MVP honors. Oliver finished with 39 points, and teammate Joe Brown added 23 in the loss.
Game 10: Lawrence Woodmere Academy - White (NY) 72 def. WHEELS (NY) 53
LWA pulled away in the final quarter to secure their second victory of the Classic. While sophomore Hank Williams followed up his stellar Day 1 performance with 19 points, it was class of 2029 standout Flory Kuminga (15 points) who earned Game MVP honors for his overall dominance. Maurice Western-Boyd led WHEELS with 21 points in the loss.
Game 11: Cardozo High School (NY) 61 def. Stevenson High School (NY) 58
In a rematch of last year’s showcase, host Stevenson controlled most of the game before Cardozo’s defense and clutch free throws secured the win. Senior Jayden Brister led Cardozo with 17 points, earning Game MVP honors. Stevenson’s Yohansel Batista Castro had a game-high 19 points in the hard-fought loss.
—
A special thank you to all participating teams, players, and fans for making this year’s Gotham Hoops Classic a success. We also appreciate our event sponsors, including The Zone, Dr. Dish, Ballerz NFT, Aviv Sports, and DunkData.
Stay tuned—full game replays and highlights will be available on our YouTube channel in the coming weeks!
Prospect Breakdown: Team Gotham Hoops at 2023 IS8 Tip-Off Classic
The team consists of emerging prospects from the area, spanning from an exceptional eighth grader to standout seniors.
After a successful spring appearance, Team Gotham Hoops returned to Jamaica, Queens, for the IS8 Tip-Off Classic this fall. The team showcased a roster filled with promising prospects from across the New York Metro area.
Throughout the pool play, Team Gotham Hoops displayed their talent, securing a commendable 2-2 record. This effort earned them a playoff spot for the second consecutive tournament, although they narrowly missed advancing to the round of 16 this time around.
This report offers in-depth player evaluations for Team Gotham Hoops:
SirPatrick Livingston (South Bronx Prep, NY ‘24)
Livingston's attacking skills and ability to finish with contact around the rim, along with his smooth shooting from the perimeter, made him a reliable offensive threat during the tournament and contributed to Team Gotham Hoops' success.
Ahmad Torrence (Thurgood Marshall Academy, NY ‘25)
Torrence, a sought-after prospect, demonstrated his versatility on the court. As a larger point guard, he not only made difficult shots but also created easy scoring opportunities for his teammates. This Hudson Catholic (NJ) transfer is expected to have a breakout junior campaign in 2023-24.
Jordin Walker (Benjamin Cardozo, NY ‘24)
A senior floor general, Walker's dominance as an on-ball defender was undeniable for the team in the fall tournament. His footwork and IQ forced opponents into numerous turnovers, fueling fast-break scoring opportunities. An extension of the coach on the court, Walker orchestrated the offense, attacking and finishing strong in the lane when called upon.
Jared Days Jean (Piney Woods, MS ‘24)
Despite only participating in the initial few games, Days Jean undeniably stood out as one of the team's top performers. An exceptional athlete with a quick first step, he excelled in transition, outpacing opponents for effortless finishes. Within the half-court, the forward exhibited a reliable jumper and a fearless approach near the rim.
Malachi Cowan (South Shore, NY ‘24)
Cowan, a versatile wing, showcased a seamless three-point stroke and impressive ball-handling skills. Additionally, the senior forward remained actively engaged defensively, skillfully covering multiple positions both inside and out on the court.
Alonzo Archbold (Curtis, NY ‘26)
A savvy sophomore with length, Archbold performed well against 19U competition. He displayed versatility by playing multiple positions on both ends of the floor, guarding positions 1 through 4 defensively. Alonzo is one of two Archbold brothers from NYC showcasing exceptional talent.
Ian Archbold (Poly Prep, NY ‘28)
Following in his older brother's footsteps, this eighth grader embraced elite high school competition, making an impact on both ends of the floor. Archbold's strong basketball acumen allowed him to influence the game without dominating the ball.
Terrell Hood (Thurgood Marshall Academy, NY ‘24)
A dynamic southpaw, Hood excelled in open-floor situations, relentlessly attacking opponents off-the-dribble to finish around the rim. His quick hands on defense consistently turned defense into offense throughout games.
Josh Thompson (Mount St. Michael, NY ‘25)
Thompson, a combo guard with crafty ball-handling skills, showcased a reliable mid-range jump shot and the ability to penetrate opposing defenses. He proved himself capable of hitting tough, off-the-dribble shots.
Abdou Tahirou (Thurgood Marshall Academy, NY ‘26)
Tahirou, a promising prospect with a slender frame hailing from France, possesses a natural feel for the game. His solid hands helped grab rebounds on both ends of the court, while his quickness down the floor translated to open looks near the basket.
Stay tuned for further updates on these talented players and follow their journeys throughout the upcoming season! Catch some of these prospects in action at the 2024 Gotham Hoops Classic. Keep an eye out for our schedule announcement – you won't want to miss it!
*Photos by @d3.photography_