by Charlie Lewis
SS-Tier
1. Kyle Dewitt
Kyle is an absolute dawg on every side of the court and is lethal from everywhere on the offensive end. His relative unfamiliarity with the league is the only downside to him but from what we saw when he played as a sub, this shouldn't prove to be an issue.
2. Matt Rooney
Its Matt Fucking Rooney. Do I really need to explain this? Can score with ease from all three levels and will outboard the big man on your team 75% of the time. Will lead the league in steals most likely, but will the injection of bigger talent in the league this season show cracks in the defense of this perennial MVP candidate?
3. David Hamel Sellman
DHS has always been in the conversation with Matt as the best player in the league with the two trading blows like Ali and Frazier did in the ring. DHS’ larger stature will prove to be a valuable asset in a league that now has stars like Kevin Seuch and Kyle DeWitt. Offensively David can score from anywhere and makes life hell for the opposing defenders.
4. Thomas Byrne
Best. Shooter. In. The. League. In a league that had become more and more competitive Thomas as a relative newcomer has cemented himself as a top 5 talent in the league without question. Although having a smaller frame than those also in the top 5, Thomas more than makes up for this fact with his intensity and tenacity on the court.
5. Steven Campbell
Soup depending on the day could be up above Kyle or down a full tier. Depending on the day Steven will drop 70 on your head or be punishing the rims with bricks. If Soup can recognize the off days and use his dribbling ability to penetrate and distribute to his team on his off days I don't see many teams in the league that could stop them.
6. Kevin Seuch
Kevin is the new best big man in the league. As a multi-sport athlete in highschool and his hard work at the Y in the weightroom will show this year, teams are gonna have a tough time dealing with him down low and pulling up when need be.
S-Tier
7. Henri Rousseau
A man who many years ago was in the same conversation as Matt and DHS he has fallen but i would not say due to a lack of skill. Henri is THE fundamental old man hooper. A bonafide threat from most areas to pull up, defenders must be wary to not overcommit because Henri is more than capable of getting around overzealous for an easy lay. Some may question his wirey frame on the defensive end but his strong fundamental game will make him a sneaky threat against unsuspecting hoopers.
8. Eli Adler-Cohen
Eli may be the smoothest player in the league. As a very capable scorer he will hold a MASSIVE role to alleviate pressure on the Dragons when Kyle needs help. Eli has been a very strong player in the league in years past and may be the best second option in the league this year. Many may notice that Eli and Kyle are on the same team and are very high on this list, but you might be waiting awhile to see your next Dragon on this list.
9. Yagev Levi
I fucking HATE to admit it, but Yagev has become quite the capable hooper since his 0-19 performance in the finals. Yagev is a FEROCIOUS defender that gets in your face and if you're not careful, in your head too (@nathan). Yagev has developed a three point stroke akin to that of his little brother while not being a lying rat bastard which is quite remarkable. Yagev and Zach's team will be interesting as they dont have a solidified star, but don’t be surprised if Yagev ascends to that level this season.
10. Ryan McLaughlin
Ryan brings an invaluable asset to a team as a second option; the ability to guard the opponents best player. Ryan is an athletic 4 that can go out to the perimeter and meet Soup and the next possession take Seuch on the block. Ryan is also a capable player on the offensive end but the question remains if he can recreate the player he's been in the past after his offseason surgery.
11. Zach Goldman
Z is a real heartwarming story in the NSL world. A past bottom 5 Scrub to now scratching at a top 10 ranking in the league. Zach is a great perimeter player on both ends but his newfound ability to blow by defenders and finish with either hand will prove valuable on a team where he will almost never be guarded by his opponents best player. Yagev will have to rely on him this season in a big way but if he can perform the way he's capable the results will surprise everyone.
A-Tier
12. Jack Pomper
Pomper has clearly been grinding hard at the JCC. In his runs at the Y, he's been an above average 3-point shooter while showing flashes of greatness finishing at the rim (with both hands!) We will see how Pomper fares defensively in the 3v3 environment of NSL, but there's clear potential for him to be an issue this coming season as a second or third option.
13. Aidan Nugent
Aidan is a goofball. Whether it be 1v1ing a kid a 13 year old then smack talking him or tossing up knuckle balls from 25 feet, it's always a treat to watch him play. Although he may lack the physical tools of others this high on the list Aidan’s fundamentals and skill with the basketball elevate him to this position. Aidan averaged a fantastic 22 and 13 next to Matt last year and has looked great at Wells, but he needs to play like that without Rooney this season.
14. Tameek Bray
Meek is a hooper through and through. Slam the ball on the ground and get to the bucket, There's not many players who can get between him and the rim in the league. This year im looking for meek to look to his teammates and dish the rock when he's in over his head while driving and get those assist numbers up.
15. Matteo Greenberg
There's no doubt that Matteo is an excellent scorer, but regardless of this fact I've never heard of anyone shooting a jumper from LA on a hoop in Newton. Matteo's finishing ability at the hoop and midrange prowess is a sight to behold when its on display, i'm just hoping we can see enough of it this summer
16. Hano Garcia
Hano has completely transformed his game over the past few years and has moved relatively sideways. In the past Hano was a bruiser who would use his body (and maybe a sneaky finger) to bully his way to the hoop and get buckets. Hano has evolved, becoming a more agile player who can shoot from the perimeter with some success but where his game truly shines is as a sneaky passer, great rebounder and general leader on the floor.
17. Nathan Greenstein
If Natedogg is hot, God help you. Nate is at his best when he's having fun on the court, which is typically when he's playing well. When he's not, he can sometimes fall into bad habits on defense and hold his head low. I'm looking for Nathan to be the third option his team needs and have the ball on a string lacing passes like a true 1 guard this year. When he's hot I want him shooting but more looking to pass on those off days may lead Nathan to unlocking a new level to his game.
B-Tier
18. Brian Coneely
Bri is a glue guy in this league. His energy is fantastic on and off the court and he is a winning player. Although conditioning may be a factor, being on a team of 6 will help cover this potential issue. A capable scorer at the rim, a good shooter and being able to play with the ball in or out of his hand make brian the swiss army knife the Blizzard will need to compliment their top 2
19. Charlie Lewis
A double edged sword of a player and difficult to assess at times. Lewis has shown great ability to get his in the low post at will when hes hot, shooting 63% from the field last year. As his game has evolved hes been able to create from a bit further away from the rim but the majority will be on the block. The issues arise on the defensive end. Lewis is a TERRIBLE perimeter defender that struggles against players that are proficient from 3 point land. If he gains a step on the defensive end this season the sky's the limit for Lewis this season.
20. Will Brown
From 360 layups to borderline carries to Jimmer-range step back 3s, you never know what youre gonna get from william brown, but the stats say that this fierce competitor will on average give you 7/9/2. Will is more than a capable defender that on his best days can go toe to toe with Matt on the defensive end.
21. Andrew Dorval
After being cast aside by the league this offseason, Matt made an excellent move by giving Dorval an expansion team of his own. I'm hoping that the tunnel vision that has at times plagues Dorval’s game can be toned back and he can show the league that he is the player that many think he still is.
22. Sammy Kapur
“Plays like Josh Cooke”
C-Tier
23. Josh Cooke
Cookie is an interesting case. A Sniper from beyond the arc cooke has more than showed he can be used to toss up 3s at any time and get numbers. The problems arise when you realize the team hes playing on. Zach and Yagev both love to shoot 3s as well so it will be interesting to see if Cooke can get his on that squad. I think his lack of interior scoring threat will prevent Yagev and Zach getting the looks they need leading to cooke getting shipped out midseason which could greatly help his game in the long run
24. Idi Nsbuga
I personally haven't seen Idi hoop in recent years but I assume that his defensive ability has not faltered and would not be surprised to see that it has improved. A player like this that averages more than 10 a game is valuable on any team and should play an important role this year.
25. Jack Whalen
JWay can shoot, and that's about it, but this is a valuable thing in a league that has players like Rothstein getting minutes. Jack can turn it on from beyond the arc and make things happen but will he do that this year, we shall see.
26. John Ross
I have never seen someone almost kill a man, then apologize for it right after in the nicest way more times than John Ross. An uncoordinated mess down low to an unstoppable goliath at others John ross is a polarizing big, but in a league with very few true bigs, his position will be valuable this season. Time will tell if he can elevate his game or even show up tp games due to him eing unhappy with his current situation.
27. Samy Elghazzawi
A surprise pickup Samy has shown flashes of excellence at the YMCA this offseason. Samy is a small guard that is not a very good shooter but he's shown excellent body control and ability to finish at and around the rim through contact. Even with his smaller stature he can get shots up over defenders that are far taller than him and make them at a relatively high clip. He will be a valuable bench piece to take the load off of Brian this year when he gets tired
D-Tier
28. Paul Rodriguez
Pauls the prototypical NSL big man. Uncoordinated at the rim and very inefficient considering the shots he's taking, but his offense is not what lands him here. Paul has proven that his size and athleticism makes him a versatile defender which makes his value rise and dampen the negative effects his offense has on his game.
29. Ian Harris
Ian is the prototypical NSL role player. A solid defender on the perimeter and a fine offensive player there's nothing that is going to wow you about Harris but disappointment will be hard to find when looking at him as an option off of your bench.
30. Eric Zhang
Think paul, but smaller and not as good. Zhang is a NONFACTOR on the offensive end of the ball and an above average defender. If he cannot start making more of an effect on the offensive end defenses will completely ignore him and make the herculean task of containing Eli and Kyle seem very much so possible.
31. Sam Thayer
Sam’s “numbers” say that he should be 3 tiers up but I'll believe it when I see it. As someone who NEVER hoops at the Y but is always there I doubt that he will produce at a good level this year and could see him falling down this list a lot if I'm not proven wrong.
F-Tier (Scrubs)
32. Erik Brown
Erik is a BODY. His offensive game is quite frankly laughable but, being able to look to him at the end of the bench as an option to get some solid defensive minutes makes him very valuable. Erik will go out there and put his body in front of whoever he's guarding and make their life harder which is a big help from a scrub.
33. Kiernan Stone
Kiernan, like Erik, is a body. A college athlete he will be a major help on the defensive end but will do little on offense in any way.
34. Kenny Brown
Kenny corner, shmenny shmorner. Kenny is a complete liability on both ends of the court. If your best trait is that you can shoot 20% on a good day from the corner you might want to think about switching sports. Gets exposed on defense, a virtual nothing on offense. Minimum minutes.
35. Sam Rothstein
Kenny but no body, so even less than no defense. Annoys the shit out of opponents so they wanna hoop on him even harder. Seen flashes of making the right cuts but needs to really up that skill if it's to even be acknowledged as a plus. The fact that him and kenny are on the same team is a fucking disaster.
36. David Rodruigez
See Erik Brown, but i don't think he even knows how to play basketball so idk
37. Max Melville
I love Max Melville and I would never want to say anything bad about him. His team is awesome and I wish he would come out to the Y and play with us so I wouldn't have to rank him last.
Comments