Grassroots basketball is back through the ACES brand platform with the 2021 Omni Elite Classic. This high school all-star event will take place in New York City on May 26 and will feature a star-studded roster full of nationally ranked male and female hoopers from around the country. Acting as a “send-off” game, many of these recruits will soon be heading off to play in college or professionally.
The event will feature the following standouts, with more names to be announced:
2021 OEC Girls Roster
- Azzi Fudd – UCONN – (MD) – McDonalds #1
- Raven Johnson – South Carolina – (GA) McDonalds #2
- Reyna Scott (G) – 2022
- A´reil Jackson (G) – 2022
- Paris Clark – (G) – UCLA – #34
- Sonia Citron – (G) – Notre Dame – McDonalds #16
- Justine Pissott – (W) – Tennessee – 2022
- Paulina Paris – (PG) – Penn State – 2022 – # 41
- Saniya Glenn – (W) – 2022 – # 45
- Madison St Rose (G) – Princeton – 2022 – #46
- Aalyah Del Rosario – (P) – 2023 – #2
- Angelica Velez – (PG) – 2023 – #23
- Lauryn Swann – (PG) -2024 INJURED
- Hannah Hidalgo – 2023
- Caileigh Walsh – (P) – (NJ) – 2021 – #56
- Shay Bollin – (F) – (MA) 2022 – #19
- Ayanna Patterson – (F) UCONN – (IN) – 2022 – #3
- Caroline Ducharme (W) – UCONN – McDonalds # 5
- Amari Deberry – (F) – UCONN – McDonalds A- #15 INJURED
2021 OEC Boys Roster
- Simeon Wilcher (Roselle ‘23) ESPN 13*
- Akil Watson (Don Bosco ‘23) ESPN 14
- Taylor Bowen (St Lukes ‘23) ESPN 19
- Samson Johnson (Uconn Commit) ESPN 39
- RJ Melendez (Illinois Commit) ESPN 54
- Malachi Smith (Dayton Commit) ESPN 65
- Shane Dezonie (Arizona Commit) ESPN 98
- Kyle Cuffe Jr (Kansas Commit)
- Wesley Cardet (Samford Commit)
- Elliot Cadeau (Bergen Catholic ‘24)
- Ben Roy (Manasquan ‘22)
- Kedrick Greene (Central Pointe)
- Tarik Watson (Don Bosco ‘24)
- Aaron Bradshaw (Camden ‘23)
- Quadir Copeland (IMG ‘22)
- Ansley Almonor (FDU Commit)
- Brendan Mykalcio (Gardner Webb Commit)
- Ian Jackson (Cardinal Hayes ‘24)
- Tobe Awaka (Cardinal Hayes ‘22)
While no fans will be allowed to attend, game highlights will be posted on social media + livestream. And, in case you hear a familiar, iconic voice, this year’s event will be MC’d by none other than Cha Ching.
The OEC, powered by ACES and the Northeast Basketball Club, was unfortunately canceled last year due to the pandemic. Past participants in ACES co-hosted grassroots games included UConn forward Aubrey Griffin and Duke-transfer Celeste Taylor on the women’s side, as well as former New York Mr. Basketball and UNC Tarheel RJ Davis.
Local NY standouts have also been showcased in the past, including Alabama point guard Jahvon Quinerly; Minnesota Timberwolves’ center Naz Reid; as well as Orlando Magic standouts Cole Anthony and Mo Bamba; Elijah Hughes of the Utah Jazz, and others.
The program goes beyond the love for the game. The OEC is just another extension of the ACES ethos: ACES telling stories with its platform through unique brand and event activations.
When asked the importance of this event platform, Brian Kortovich, former professional hooper turned Founder & CEO of Brand ACES, went on to say: “In an extremely challenging year for everyone, our team made a conscious effort to make this event happen—for the impact it will have on the players and the local community. Grassroots basketball has always been part of Brand ACES DNA. We strive to empower the players and encourage them to use this brand platform to tell their stories. Special shoutout to the OEC Team: Co-Director Trevor Harris, Jess Villaplana, Jason Cole, Dwight Shaw, and Dayon Floyd, for all of their hard work to bring this event to NYC.”
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Photo credits to Michelle Farsi.
Click here more information on the Omni Elite Classic.
For live coverage of the event, and all things high school hoops, follow @slam_hs.
