The Hoopsfix All Star Classic has unveiled the official rosters for the first annual Under-16 all-star game.
The country’s top under-16 players born in 1998 or later will take to the floor on Sunday June 15th at Brunel University in the inaugural showcase, in front of an expected sell out crowd.
The 2014 rosters are headlined by England Under-16 wing Carl Wheatle (Angelico Biella) and centre Sam Japhet-Mathias (Peckham Pride).
Wheatle, a former London Greenhouse Pioneer, signed a junior contract with Italian side Biella at the beginning of the 2013-14 season and will be back to play in his home country showcase. Peckham Pride’s Japhet-Mathias, a 6’9″ centre, was in Barcelona in March with Wheatle for the Jordan Brand Classic International Tour, and continues to receive interest from Europe and the US.
“To be selected for the Hoopsfix All Star Classic is a great feeling,” said Wheatle. “To be recognised as one of the top 22 under-16 players in the country is a huge achievement.
“I’m most looking forward most to seeing a few one-on-one battles breaking out,” he continued. “There are a lot of players capable of making some serious highlights!”
2014 Under-15 National Champions and Under-16 National Cup champions Peckham Pride also see exciting point guards Kemar Hawes (U16 Cup MVP), and Thai Lodge (U15 MVP) make the cut, along with versatile wing Gedi Juozapaitis, and 1999 born Sam Kato (2012 U13 MVP).
Under-16 National runners-up Newham Youngbloods Extreme, and Young Heroes Leicester Dynamite are the next best represented clubs, with two players each. Theo Cohen and Henri Langton will represent Leicester, while dynamic duo Jelani Watson-Gayle and Emmanuel Odunsi will be Newham’s representatives.
London Greenhouse Pioneers also have a second representative in Rayell Eytle-Rock, who was one of England Under-16s’ strongest performers on their recent trip to Slovakia, along with starting point guard Luke Mitchell from Notts Nova who is liable to start lighting it up from long range at any point.
Big man Freddie Ratliff, a shot blocking machine from Under-16 Final Fours team Ipswich Basketball, will be protecting the paint, along with Hemel Storm’s Tolu Babalola and Under-16 National Final MVP, Ayo Nuwe, from Manchester Magic.
6’4” forwards, George Pool, from City of Birmingham, Dominic Scott-Robinson from Hertfordshire Warriors, and John Okafor from Westminster Warriors will also be competing.
Christopher Jack, 6’4” shooting guard for BC Mess, will be flying in from Luxembourg, and Worthing Thunder’s Denny Burling, Bucks Hornets’ Evan Walshe and 1999 born rising star Jacob Iwowo from Lewisham Thunder will round out the squads.
“The under-16s represent the future of British basketball,” said Hoopsfix All Star Classic founder, Sam Neter. “These are the top guys of their generation, and we expect you’ll be hearing a lot more about them in the years to come.
“We’re excited to see what’s in store come June 15.”
The coaching staff and team breakdown will be announced in the next week, with the Under-25 rosters and coaches to follow shortly after.
Tickets to the 2014 Hoopsfix All Star Classic are still available but selling fast, starting at £5 with net proceeds going to the Hoopsfix Foundation. Click here to buy now before they are all gone!
Proud supporters of the Hoopsfix All Star Classic include ESPN Player, 2tall.com, Molten, Amaechi Performance Systems, Reach & Teach, Sportserve, 5or6, Always Ballin’, Let Me Play and Wilkie TV.
(teams to be announced when we announce coaches)
• Tolu Babalola, 6’6”, F, Hemel Storm,
• Denny Burling, 6’2”, G, Worthing Thunder
• Theo Cohen, 6’5”, F, Young Heroes Leicester Dynamite
• RJ Eytle Rock, 6’2”, F, London Greenhouse Pioneers
• Kemar Hawes, 5’10”, G, Peckham Pride
• Jacob Iwowo, 6’3”, G, Lewisham Thunder
• Christopher Jack, 6’4”, G, BC Mess
• Samuel Japhet-Mathias, 6’9”, C Peckham Pride
• Gedi Juozapaitis, 6’4”, G, Peckham Pride
• Sam Kato, 6’3”, G, Peckham Pride
• Henri Langton, 6’10”, C, Young Heroes Leicester Dynamite
• Thai Lodge, 5’10”, G, Peckham Pride
• Luke Mitchell, 5’11”, G, Notts Nova
• Ayo Nuwe, 6’3”, F, Manchester Magic
• Emmanuel Odunsi, 6’3”, F, Newham Youngbloods Extreme
• John Okafor, 6’4”, F, Westminster Warriors
• George Pool, 6’4”, F, City of Birmingham
• Freddie Ratliff, 6’8”, C, Ipswich Basketball
• Dominic Scott-Robinson, 6’4”, F, Hertfordshire Warriors
• Evan Walshe, 6’3”, G, Bucks Hornets
• Jelani Watson Gayle, 5’11”, G, Newham Youngbloods Extreme
• Carl Wheatle, 6’5”, F, Angelico Biella
For more information visit HoopsfixAllStarClassic.com and follow Hoopsfix on Twitter @Hoopsfix.
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