Video: Breaking down the Independent Top 10Gray Bees feature seven players of 6-foot-8.7. St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.)Head coach: Mark Taylor (421-132 career record, sixth season at St. Benedict's Prep)
2015-16 record: 35-2
PLAYERS TO WATCHPrecious Achiuwa (6-8, So., F) … Younger brother of former St. John's center God's Gift Achiuwa
Matthue Cotton (6-5, Jr., G) … Offers from several high major programs
Noah Farrakhan (6-0, Fr., G) … Expected to be big contributor as a freshman
Najia Hunter (6-6, Sr., G) … Transfer from Westtown (Pa.)
Jayden Saddler (6-1, Sr., G) … Baltimore native has Division I offers
Bourama Sidibe (6-10, Sr., C) … Oklahoma State, Syracuse, Texas Tech in hunt for services
Warren Williams (6-9, Sr., C) … Played for loaded WE R1 squad on Under Armour circuit over the summer
STORYLINES* St. Benedict's Prep always has an international flavor to the roster but Taylor's 2016-17 is truly a global one with players from France, Jamaica, Mali, Nigeria and Sweden.
* The Gray Bees have seven players over 6-foot-8 including Top 100 prospect Sidibe, so it would appear that the frontcourt is well-stocked. But what about the backcourt? The loss of David Beatty (who transferred to Philadelphia's Imhotep Charter) hurts but Saddler will be solid at the point, the additions of Cotton and Hunter are big and watch out for freshman Farrakhan.
KEY DATESDec. 29 – vs.
Gray Collegiate Academy (West Columbia, S.C.) @ Slam Dunk to the Beach
Feb. 2-4 – St. James Invitational
Feb. 11 – vs.
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) @ Primetime Shootout
Feb. 12 – vs.
St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
