City of Basketball Love

By Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue) & Andrew Robinson (@ADRobinson3)
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The MADE Hoops circuit concluded the final July live period with its Summer Finale at the Convention Center in Oaks, Pa from Friday through Saturday. There was plenty of talent and college coaches from all three levels — as well as a few local faces the CoBL staff hadn’t yet put eyes on during the AAU season this summer.

CoBL had staff throughout parts of all three days. Here’s who we talked to over the course of the weekend:

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Mason Conrad and Wes Robinson (2026 | Total Skills 16U)

Mason Conrad and Wes Robinson have been playing together since third grade. There was rec ball and travel ball and eventually, the two Methacton rising juniors teamed for their school teams.

They spent last summer’s AAU periods on different squads but Conrad and Robinson were back teaming together this summer in anticipation of a big year for the Warriors.

“It’s definitely pretty sweet,” said Conrad, who mentioned another former teammate, Ben DePaul , is joining them this season from La Salle.

Conrad and Robinson both made the jump to varsity as sophomores last season. Robinson, a 6-3 wing/forward, was the sixth or seventh man in the rotation, while Conrad, 6-foot point guard, was a starter.

With classmate Christian Matos gone (Archbishop Carroll), the longtime teammates know they’ll be expected to take big leaps as juniors to become two of the focal points alongside 2025 Sal Iemmello for a Methacton squad two years removed from it’s last Pioneer Athletic Conference championship.

“Last year, he was a starter but I was sixth, seventh man so my role is definitely a huge jump in comparison to his,” Robinson said. “Both roles are going to be greatly increased in importance. It’s a little nerve wracking but definitely very exciting.”

Robinson has always been one of the stronger kids growing up and he still uses that to finish through contact or exploit smaller guards. But in recent years, he’s seen his peers catch up in size and height.

He countered that by adding to his perimeter skills. During an explosive scoring outing on Saturday he was breaking down defenders and pulling up for jumpers. 

“For me my handle has definitely got a lot better,” Robinson said. "It’s gotten a lot quicker, tighter.”

Conrad felt one of the biggest leaps to the varsity level last season was the speed of the game, particularly defensively. It’s an aspect he’s more equipped for this season. He’s also ready to get more shots this season — and knock a higher percentage down, something he’s plenty capable of doing.

“I'm coming off a pretty bad shooting year last year,” Conrad said. “I’m just stepping up as a shooter now. I’ve made  a lot of threes, a lot of shots right now, so hopefully next year I shoot a better percentage.”

They’ve both heard a little bit from some college coaches in the last two months but know a big junior campaign can open up more options for next summer. 

After another summer playing together, they’re ready for it.

“Everyone’s focusing on how many points I can score or all the big numbers, but it really comes down to can he do the little things?” Robinson said of what he learned from last season. “Can he get a rebound? Can you get a stop on defense and keep that energy up the whole game?” — Owen McCue

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Jordan Rogers (2024 | Kulture MHC 17U)

Jordan Rogers knew he was stepping into a challenge and that’s just the way he wanted it.

Following a strong career at Ridgewood High School in New Jersey, Rogers spent his prep year this past season at the Phelps School. Rogers finished his club basketball career this weekend and has a major decision looming, but he feels that much more prepared now going into it.

It was a challenge and it was worth it.

“It was the highest competition that I’d faced so it really challenged me individually and as a leader on my team,” Rogers said. “I had to push myself and push my team to get better, especially playing guys and teams that are nationally ranked. That kind of competition ultimately forces you to get better.”

Rogers, at 6-foot-5 and powerfully built, called the environment at Phelps one where “you get better or you get left behind.” He knew being in the gym with teammates wired the same way competitively as he was would only serve to elevate him while also offering a chance to move to a position that would be more beneficial at the next level.

At Ridgewood, he was one of the team’s taller players and naturally forced into more of an interior role. Phelps had plenty of size and with his athleticism and skill, Rogers knew his fit at the next level would be in the backcourt or on the wing, so he slotted in mainly at the two guard spot this past season.

“One of the big reasons I went to prep school was to work on my offensive game, specifically my shot, just to get that more consistent and more fluid,” Rogers said. “I think I really improved on that and my offensive game as a whole, whether it’s attacking the rim or crashing the offensive glass, that’s all part of my overall offensive game.

“It was confidence, mechanics and a lot of reps. I struggled with my confidence the last couple years and I couldn’t figure out why but I think a lot of it was a lack of reps.”

Rogers also prides himself on his defensive ability, so playing a schedule the caliber of the one Phelps has on a yearly basis offered him plenty of matchups against top-tier opponents.

“Playing that caliber of guys and competition pushes me to become a better defensive player,” Rogers said.

Rogers came out of the weekend uncommitted, but he’s got several options to weigh as he aims to find a spot at the next level. He listed NJIT, Fairfield, Iona, Central Connecticut State and Boston University among those who have extended PWO offers.

“I’m very grateful to have those coaches in my corner,” Rogers said. “I’ll see what happens the next couple days and into next week but I know I have to make a decision here soon.”

He added that he doesn’t feel any of the programs that have shown interest in him would be a “wrong decision” and his main focus is finding a place where he can compete and further his skills.

Rogers is very vocal and said he’s usually one of the loudest on any team he’s on. This past year, he found himself taking on a similar role at Phelps which was another welcome challenge on a roster of players he didn’t know all that well going in.

“It’s difficult, but at the end of the day, everybody’s able to relate through basketball because everyone has a common goal and a common dream,” Rogers said. “You’re by yourself for the first two or three days but as your find your group and know your teammates, they’re what gets you through it.” — Andrew Robinson

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Henry Rasmussen (2025 | East Coast Cyclones)

Last season was a bit of a breakout for Henry Rasmussen.

In middle school he dealt with broken fingers, broken feet and broken toes. As a freshman at the Hill School, stress fractures in both feet from playing quarterback on the football team sidelined him during basketball season. Shipley doesn’t have a football team, which made it an easy passion to give up.

He played some as a sophomore at Shipley on the hoops team and was in the rotation at the start of last season before beginning to turn into a focal point by year’s end. During the scholastic live period, he was Shipley’s go-to guy and is ready to try and thrive in that role as the team’s lone senior this season.

“It was definitely a lot of physical and mental growth,” Rasmussen said. “I really started to get a true feel for the game because I just missed a lot of time with injuries. That was my first full season. I really got an elevated role from my sophomore year and I started picking up offensively definitely at the end of the season.”

“Just a lot of confidence and believing in myself,” he added. "I felt like at the beginning of the year I would pass up a lot of open shots and then if I got a sliver toward the end of the season I’m shooting it.”

Rasmussen is a 6-foot-8 wing/forward who plays the big man role at Shipley, but slotted in on the wing or as a stretch forward for the East Coast Cyclones this summer.

“A lot of college coaches have been telling me I can play wherever, 2 through 5,” he said.

He has heard from both Army and Air Force in addition to some high-academic Division III programs and some Division IIs. He went to Air Force’s team camp and the Falcons’ saw him play during an event in Harrisburg this summer.

Rasmussen isn’t too concerned about the speediness of his recruitment.

A year ago, he watched his older brother Luke, who transferred to Tulane this offseason, go from a walk-on to major minutes as a freshman at Lafayette. Rasmussen knows there’s options to be had to pursue his dream of playing college hoops.

“One thing I took away from his process is he really bet on himself,” Rasmussen said. “He waited until the last minute, so If I don’t have a home then I’m gonna wait until the last minute.” — Owen McCue

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Nasir Barnes (2027 | Sideline Cancer 17U)

Playing up has never been a problem for Nasir Barnes.

From the time he entered middle school, the now 6-foot-1 guard was practicing with York Suburban’s high school varsity team. So, it’s not surprising he’s playing up two years this summer either.

It’s helpful preparation for Barnes, who left York Suburban after one year and will be transferring to power Mount Saint Joseph in Baltimore, Maryland next year.

“Most of all, I’m excited for a new experience,” Barnes said. “I’ve heard a lot about Maryland basketball and the competition, so looking forward to my new school and new experience.”

Barnes certainly impressed in his season with the Trojans. He averaged close to 20 points per game as the YAIAA Division II Player of the Year, adding six rebounds and six assists per game.

The jump from middle school to high school is a big one and it was one Barnes didn’t want to be the thing that held him back.

“Experience, the physicality and the IQ,” Barnes said of what playing up prepared him for. “A lot of the older players, they’ve been at this longer than me so playing up, I get used to that physicality because even in high school, you gotta be able to play with the 12th graders.”

Barnes credited his teammates at York Suburban for lifting him up and letting him play to his strengths. He came in with a mentality of expecting to do great things and delivered.

The guard is fluid on the court, he has a long stride, keeps the dribble tight and he’s able to finish plenty of ways around the rim. Barnes knows he can still grow and plans to keep working over the next three years.

“I can’t turn greatness on and off, I have to be able to play hard on every single play,” Barnes said. “I also want to work on playmaking and keep my teammates involved.”

Barnes sees himself playing Division I basketball in the future, he hasn’t heard from any colleges yet but he feels the move to Mount Saint Joseph will help with that.

“I’m excited for everybody,” Barnes said. “Everybody at MSJ, they seem like great guys and that’s what I want to be around.” — Andrew Robinson

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Quick Hits

— George School 6-5 guard/wing Luke Melniczak (2025 | Jersey Force MHC 17U) got a little different experience this summer. Along with Roman Catholic’s Kabe Goss, Melniczak had the opportunity to play on the ball as his team’s point guard this summer — an opportunity he hasn’t had much during his Cougars career with Christian Bliss (Virginia) and then Tyler Sutton in the backcourt.

“My original position is really a shooting guard, small forward, but I think being able to play point shows I have more versatility in my game and it’s just a strength I’m continuing to build because being able to play point is a good skill to have,” Melniczak said.

While Sutton is Roman Catholic now, George will have another standout point guard in Peyton Miller, transferring from St. Peter’s, along with Melniczak’s younger brother Ryan helping out with the ball handling duties.

His shooting at the ‘2’ or ‘3’ will be important for the Cougars. And so will his defensive effort as one of the team’s upperclassmen. He was picking up full court Saturday in a tight one against the Midwest Basketball Club, a way he can set the tone as one of the veteran players at George this season.

“That’s just me,” Melniczak said. “I love playing defense. That’s always been a thing for me. I’ve always done that.”

Division III power Randolph-Macon began reaching out to him a few months ago, and they have been checking in. His defense, shooting, versatility and energy are traits they told him stuck out.

Melniczak has seen himself grow on and off the court during his team at George. He was home schooled before arriving at the boarding school.

“Coming in I was pretty timid as a homeschool kid,” he said. “I didn’t have much social experience. Learning from coach Ben really helped me a lot and I’m hoping this fourth year is going to be a great year for us.”

— It’s all about versatility for Isaiah Muhammad (2024 | Team Final Black 17U)

The rising West Catholic senior is in shooting range almost as soon as he crosses halfcourt and he put that ability to fill up from deep - emphasis on deep at times - all weekend. Where the 6-foot-4 guard has been putting in the time is about everywhere else.

This summer, his first with Team Final Black, gave plenty of opportunity to show that all off.

“It’s been cool, definitely good,” Muhammad said. “I switched teams, so I had to adjust to my teammates, my coach, a new playing style but they treated me right.”

Muhammad saw his time on the court increase with the Burrs last season as they re-tooled following the 2022-23 state title season. With a bit of a younger and less experienced team, West Catholic didn’t have the same success this past, Muhammad said he gained plenty of confidence with his uptick in playing time.

Going into the summer, he wasn’t worried about knocking down threes but did want to put time in elsewhere.

“Defense, that’s the main thing,” Muhammad said. “I also wanted to work on putting the ball on the floor a little more but it was mostly defense.” 

Not that there are any easy matchups in the PCL, but Muhammad wants to say he can handle any kind of perimeter defensive assignment he might need to take next year. 

“I wanted to be able to guard my position, but also be able to stay in front of smaller guards,” Muhammad said. “I don’t want to get beat.”

Muhammad said he’s been in contact with some Division II and III programs in recent weeks and he’s hoping to keep adding interest through his senior year at West Catholic.

The Burrs will be an interesting team, with most of their lineup coming back and a year wiser, they’re looking for big things this winter.

“Just win. We didn’t win last year, so that’s what we’re trying to do this year,” Muhammad said. “We want to get to that level.”

— After a breakout junior year, Grady Burt (2025 | Team Final Black 17U) is ready to do even more.

A lanky 6-foot-6 wing, Burt really emerged on the scene at Council Rock North last season while earning second team All-SOL Patriot honors. That pushed him hard this summer with Team Final Black and he’s eager to help CRN push for a division title and more as a senior.

“I’ve been getting plenty of exposure, I love this Team Final Black group, colleges have been reaching out,” Burt said. “Everything’s been going real good.”

Burt called his junior season “productive” and came into the summer wanting to showcase more of his defensive acumen. Saturday, he had a good impact in a win over 6th Boro, collecting a pair of blocks and grabbing five rebounds.

Offensively, Burt can do a lot of damage from the perimeter. With his height and long arms, it’s hard to contest his shot and the wing always seems shot-ready when the ball gets to him so it wasn’t a shock that he shot the ball well all weekend.

What he’s aimed to do all summer is show he’s got more than that.

“Probably my decision-making,” Burt said. “I’m trying to use more of my overall IQ, when to pass, when to shoot. Ever since the school season, my confidence has really been building up.”

The interest has followed Burt as he’s emerged on the scene. He said Caldwell University has been the most active so far, the Cougars were on the baseline for Saturday's game, while the Air Force Academy and Bucknell have recently entered the picture with some other D-II and D-III programs showing interest.

“Last year wasn’t active, this year it’s definitely been picking up,” Burt said. “It’s a lot of motivation.”

CR North went 6-16 last year but with Burt and Team Final Black teammate Andy O ́Keeffe returning, plus a few others, the team is looking for a major bounce-back.

“The SOL, our Patriot division, I think we can own it with all the talent we have,” Burt said. “I’m back with my guys, I want to finish it off right with them.”

— Mikey Mita (2026 | East Coast Cyclones) and the ECC 16U team were knocked off earlier than they hoped this past weekend after coming into the Summer Finale as the top seed in their age group. It was a disappointing end to a terrific summer for Mita and the group.

“I felt like I’ve had some ups and downs, but we’re developing and I still have a lot to improve on,” Mita said.

His recruitment has been relatively quiet with some Division III programs reaching out, but there continues to be plenty of production and promise for the 6-foot-7 stretch forward entering his third season as a starter at Penncrest this winter. 

Mita was an all-league player as a sophomore and as he continues to build up his strength and skillset, he should continue to ascend to one of the top players in the Central League as a junior for a squad that could be a dark horse title contender.

“I feel like I kind of play my own game,” Mita said. “I play a little stretch ‘4’, shoot a little bit, rebound a little bit, post up a little bit, a little bit of everything.”

“We’re trying to become a guard. That’s the goal. Everyone’s gotta become a guard, so that’s what we’ve been working on, trying to get better at dribbling and stuff like that.”