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Going Coast to Coast

By: Jeff Meadows

Basketball is a way of life that is if you were born in the basketball Meca (Bronx, NY). Year after year an abundance of talent come out of that area in all grades and the players are often very tough (mentally & physically) and basketball battletested. At 6’11, 240 lbs. Joey DeLarosa represents all of that. “It was good for me” said Joey about growing up and playing basketball in NYC “It was always so much competition ever since I was little”. Joey has been playing basketball for quite some time now and he’s also been a top national prospect since the 8^th grade. Joey has always played with and against top talent and in doing so, Joey has gotten better little by little which isn’t easy to do when you’re extremely tall at a young age. Ever since his freshman year Joey has played varsity at St. Raymon’s H.S. (Bronx, NY) which happens to be one of the most storied high school programs in the country. Joey’s teammates his freshman year at St. Raymonds include such names as Amare Lawrence (currently at St. Johns), Chuck Bryant (currently at West Virginia), Kevin Parrom at (currently at Arizona). Joey’s sophomore season he had a solid season where he averaged 10 pts 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, last spring and summer Joey played AAU/travel ball for New Heights (a NYC based AAU/travel team) and Joey also attended one the top summer camps in the country Five Star in Honesdale, PA where Joey had a good showing. This year things have changed a little bit for Mr. DeLarosa for starters, Joey no longer attends St. Raymond’s 2^nd, Joey no longer attends school in NY and 3^rd Joey has left the east coast entirely and now attends school on the west coast at Las Vegas’s IMPACT Academy.  When asked why he left St. Raymond’s/NYC Joey replied, “It was the best thing for me, coming to IMPACT was the best thing for me for the simple fact that I’m away from the city and I don’t have all of the distractions that I used to have and now I can really focus”. Joey seems to have settled in to his new home quite well currently averaging 12.7 pts 8.3 rebounds 3.7 blocks and 3.1 assist per game. “Right now Joey is solid mid major prospect” said Tim Reinhardt Head Coach at IMPACT Academy “But with hard work over the spring and summer there’s no doubt in my mind that Joey will be a high major prospect”. I got a chance to watch Joey play last fall at Chad Groth’s Phoenix Fall Showcase in Phoenix, AZ and here is my scouting report/evaluation of Joey:

Joey DeLarosa 6’11 JR (P) Las Vegas IMPACT Academy

DeLarosa, the Bronx, NY native is a high major prospect who is a top notch post player, DeLarosa has great size (6’11 240lbs) moves very well, DeLarosa has very good foot work, solid offensive skills and a very good shot blocker, DeLarosa is a high major D1 prospect that can play anywhere in the country! I asked Joey if there were any front runners as far as schools that he liked and he replied “To be honest with you I really haven’t given that much thought, I’m just focusing on my grades and the season so I guess you could say I’m wide open”. I’m really looking forward to evaluating Joey again this spring and summer where I feel he’s going to perform at a very high level for the college coaches and true basketball fans so remember where seen it first www.hoopsreport.com.