Last March, Boys & Girls won its first city championship in 31 years. It’s been a steady stream of positives since that magical March afternoon at Madison Square Garden, from a trip to City Hall, where they were given a Proclamation from City Councilman Al Vann, to a nationally televised spot on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Wednesday afternoon was the latest one – The High held an open gym that drew 15 Division I programs, including St. John’s, Rutgers, South Carolina, Xavier and South Florida. Hofstra head man Mo Cassara and Wagner College’s Danny Hurley were also on hand.
Open gyms are nothing new for high-school basketball programs. It’s a frequency this time of year for college coaches to see talent in their own element before their respective seasons begin. Then again, one Division I assistant coach in attendance, said the turnout was the biggest he’s seen of any New York City school.
“It wasn’t even close,” the coach said. “Their staff does a great job reaching out to guys. But it’s because of the development of their program. If you build it, they will come, referring to us.”
The coach later added: “They’ve been winning on a consistent basis.”
Additionally, the players Boys & Girls have sent to college, like Zamal Nixon (Houston) and Jamine (Greedy) Peterson (Providence, now overseas with Rhodes Club of the Greek League) have produced in wins and losses and numbers put up.
“People take notice of that,” the coach said.
Another coach in attendance said he was most impressed by forwards Leroy (Truck) Fludd and Malik Nichols. Fludd, the coach said, displayed a much improved perimeter jump shot, which if consistent, the coach said, would “take his recruitment to the next level.” But the player that truly caught his eye was Nichols, a versatile 6-foot-5 senior that can finish with each hand.
“I think people are going to walk into the gym talking about Mike Taylor and leave talking about Malik,” the coach said. “He defends, he scores, he can get to the basket, he can shoot it. He’s really good.”
Assistant coach Elmer Anderson said the turnout proved what he already knew – that Boys & Girls has plenty of talent. He considered the Kangaroos to have up to nine Division I players, present and future. Taylor is the highest caliber prospect right now, with St. John’s, Rutgers, South Carolina, and South Florida, among others, on his list, while youngsters such as sophomore guards Wesley Myers and Teyvon Myers (no relation) should follow suit.
“Our program is headed in the right direction,” he said.
Clearly.
