Top 50 boys basketball players for 2016-17

Rahmel Allen, Brentwood, F, 6-3, Sr.

Rahmel, brother of Newsday's 2015-16 Suffolk Player of the Year Jamel Allen, will take on a lead role for the Indians. He averaged five points and four rebounds per game last year.

Danny Ashley, Uniondale, G, 5-10, Jr.

Ashley flustered opponents defensively and ran the point for the Knights as a sophomore. He averaged 12 points and six assists per game, and has drawn interest from Hofstra, LIU Post and St. Thomas Aquinas.

Ryan Beckles, Central Islip, G, 6-4, Sr.

A tenacious rebounder, Beckles will play point guard for the Musketeers after transferring from Brentwood. He scored in double figures four times for the Indians last year.

Omar Burns, Roslyn, G/F, 6-4, Sr.

A strong wing, Burns averaged 13 points and five rebounds per game a year ago. He is the Bulldogs' top returning scorer.

Elijah Bovell, Baldwin, F, 6-2, Sr.

The wing averaged eight points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals per game for the 2015-16 Long Island champions. He will assume a larger role this season.

Sean Braithwaite, Center Moriches, G/F, 6-5, Soph.

Saving one of his best performances for the biggest moment, Braithwaite had 22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as a freshman in a road playoff victory over Mattituck last season. He averaged 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists a game.

Zach Bromfeld, Hewlett, C, 6-7, Sr.

At 6-7, Bromfeld is an imposing presence in the paint and leader for a Bulldog team that returns several pieces from last year's semifinalist.

Osbel Caraballo, Upper Room, G/F, 6-5, Sr.

The big-time scoring threat and tenacious rebounder averaged 23 points per game last year. He has received scholarship offers from Hofstra, Iona and St. Bonaventure.

Kashawn Charles, Wyandanch, G, 6-1, Sr.

The explosive guard averaged 19.7 points a game last season and had two 34-point performances. Can light up the scoreboard any given night.

T.J. Cluess, Floral Park, F, 6-5, Sr.

With a sweet stroke that resulted in 33 made three-pointers, Cluess averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game last year.

Chris Coalmon, Long Island Lutheran, G/F, 6-6, Sr.

Coalmon, who averaged 10 points and four rebounds per game last year, will be the Crusaders' top threat on the wing. He has scholarship offers from LIU Brooklyn and Bryant.

Chris Crespo, Smithtown West, G, 6-2, Jr.

The junior is receiving interest from multiple Ivy and Patriot League teams after averaging 10 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals last season.

Mike Darby, Bayport-Blue Point, G, 6-2, Sr.

Darby averaged 12.4 points a game last season and will take on an even larger role in the Bayport-Blue Point offense this winter.

Jonathan Dean, Westbury, G/F, 6-0, Sr.

As half Westbury's dynamic duo along with Darius Young, Dean averaged 18 points and six rebounds last season as Westbury made it to the Nassau AA championship game.

Boubacar Diakite, Our Savior New American, F, 6-8, Jr.

A bouncy athlete who can play either forward position, Diakite was the first member of the Class of 2018 to commit to Chris Mullin and St. John's.

Jordan Dingle, Lawrence Woodmere, G, 6-3, Jr.

Dingle averaged 21 points per game as a sophomore. He has received offers from Penn, Brown and Dartmouth.

Omar El-Sheikh, Knox, G/F, 6-7, Sr.

El-Sheikh averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds per game last year. Fordham, Saint Louis and Marist are among the programs to express serious interest.

Brandon Grayson, South Side, G, 5-11, Sr.

Grayson showed an ability to take over games last year. He averaged 16 points, four assists and two steals per game and played a key role in taking South Side into the county championship.

Griffin Halpern, Syosset, G, 6-0, Sr.

A dangerous scorer, Halpern will lead Syosset offensively and draws the defense's attention every possession.

Joey Harclerode, Sayville, F, 6-4, Sr.

Harclerode averaged 17 points and seven rebounds last year. He has given a verbal commitment to SUNY New Paltz.

Matt Hudzik, Ward Melville, G, 6-0, Sr.

The sharpshooter knocked down 73 three-pointers last year at a 50 percent clip.

Aidan Igiehon, Lawrence Woodmere, C, 6-10, Soph.

An explosive and rapidly improving big, Igiehon averaged 19 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks per game last year. St. John's, Villanova and Seton Hall already have offered scholarships. Duke, Kansas and Syracuse are among the many who have expressed interest.

Brandon Jacobs, LuHi, G, 5-10, Sr.

Jacobs was a calm presence running LuHi's potent offense during a run upstate. He averaged six points and six assists, and his scoring role will expand this year.

Darien Jenkins, Deer Park, G, 6-3, Sr.

The versatile guard averaged 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists a game last season. He creates nightmare matchups on a near nightly basis.

Cameron Jordan, Hills West, G, 6-5, Sr.

One of the best athletes on Long Island, Jordan averaged 11 points, 10 rebounds and four assists last season for the defending Suffolk AA champions. He's committed to play football at Syracuse.

Zed Key, Brentwood, C, 6-6, Fr.

Before ever playing a varsity game, Brentwood's precocious freshman received scholarship offers from Stony Brook and Iona.

Donatas Kupsas, LuHi, F, 6-8, Jr.

A skilled forward and hardworker on the boards, Kupsas averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game last year. He has scholarship offers from Ole Miss, Hofstra, Iona and William & Mary.

Savion Lewis, Hills East, G, 6-0, Jr.

Lewis showed postseason spotlight was no problem for him as a sophomore, scoring 23 points in an out-bracket playoff win then scoring 30 points in a loss against top-seeded Brentwood. The point guard averaged 21 points, seven assists and four steals last season and is attracting Division I interest, already receiving an offer from Stony Brook.

Tyrone Lyons, St. Anthony’s, G/F, 6-6, Jr.

Lyons averaged 6.8 points and six rebounds for the CHSAA champions last season. The guard-forward combination player is receiving Division I interest.

Connor McPartland, Hicksville, G, 5-10, Sr.

A springy and effective scorer, McPartland averaged 15 points and four assists per game last year.

Alex Merhige, Harborfields, F, 6-4, Sr.

After averaging 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game a year ago, Merhige will take on even more of the load.

Xavier Merriweather, Port Washington, F, 6-2, Sr.

Merriweather averaged 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and 1.5 steals per game last year.

Wassef Methnani, Knox, F, 6-8, Sr.

In his first year at Knox, Methnani has garnered Division I interest from schools in the CAA, MAAC and America East.

Billy Muller, North Babylon, F, 6-6, Jr.

Muller, who at 6-6 controls the paint for North Babylon, averaged a double-double as a sophomore with 13.4 points and 10 rebounds a game last season.

Kyle Murphy, Chaminade, F, 6-6, Sr.

Murphy, starting on varsity for the third straight year, averaged 12 points and seven rebounds per game last year.

KC Ndefo, Elmont, G/F, 6-6, Jr.

At 6-6, Ndefo has a rare skill set that transfers to playing the guard position as well. He averaged 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocks last season for the Class A state champions.

Anthony Reilly, Oyster Bay, G/F, 6-3, Jr.

Reilly, who transfers in from St. Dominic's, immediately becomes the go-to option for the defending Nassau B champions.

Angel Rivera, Bay Shore, G, 6-2, Sr.

Rivera averaged 16 points, four rebounds and two steals last season for Bay Shore, which had a 15-win season before losing to eventual Suffolk champion Half Hollow Hills West in the second round.

Jose Rivera, Bay Shore, F, 6-2, Sr.

Twin brothers with Angel, Jose Rivera averaged 12 points, four rebounds and four steals last season.

Jordan Salzman, Portledge, G, 5-10, Sr.

Committed to Arizona State, Salzman averaged 17 points a game last season. The elusive point guard helps orchestrate the Portledge offense.

Thornton Scott, Holy Trinity, G, 6-5, Sr.

Scott did a little bit of everything last season, averaging 15 points, six rebounds and six assists a game. He is receiving Division I interest.

Joshua Serrano, Amityville, G, 5-11, Jr.

Averaging 24 points a game last season, Serrano is one of the most dangerous scorers on Long Island and is drawing Division I interest. Also finished high honor roll academically.

Noah Shy, Valley Stream North, G, 6-1, Sr.

A confident and effective shooter, Shy averaged 14.9 points per game last year and displayed the ability to take over offensively.

Laurynas Stonkus, Knox, G, 6-2, Sr.

Stonkus, who has drawn interest from the Ivy League and America East, averaged 20 points per game last year. He shot 43 percent from long range.

Tyler Small, Holy Trinity, G, 6-4, Jr.

The junior averaged 10 points and six rebounds last season, and is drawing interest from Division I and II schools.

Jack Stafford, Plainview JFK, G, 6-2, Sr.

After transferring from St. Anthony's in the middle of the season, Stafford averaged eight points and five rebounds per game. Now that he has had an opportunity to gel with his teammates, Stafford is poised for a big year.

Jake Taveroff, Oceanside, F/C, 6-7, Fr.

Taveroff has terrific touch around the rim and could turn into a walking double-double on a nightly basis.

Jarrell White, Bellport, C, 6-3, Soph.

White is a dangerous presence inside and on the glass. As a freshman, he averaged 12.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game.

Cam Wynter, Holy Trinity, G, 6-3, Sr.

The quick guard averaged 13 points, five rebounds and four assists a game last season.

Darius Young, Westbury, G/F, 6-0, Sr.

The versatile guard/forward averaged 18 points and six assists last season.