Rawle Alkins was a virtual unknown entering the prestigious Catholic league playoffs, an impressively built freshman from Florida who appeared in just a handful of regular-season games.
By the end of the tournament, however, he had his first scholarship offer and intrigued a handful of Big East coaches. After scoring 14 points in the Royals win over Bishop Loughlin in the CHSAA Class AA intersectional final, some were even comparing the explosive athlete to New York City’s most accomplished basketball player of all-time.
“I hate to do this, but he reminds me of Lance [Stephenson],” Christ the King coach Joe Arbitello said of the Pacers guard and New York State’s all-time leading scorer. “But he shoots it, I think, better [than Lance did at the same age].”
Raised in Canarsie, Alkins spent his formative years in Florida. He returned home this summer and enrolled at Christ the King. As far as credits go, he’s a freshman, but age-wise, he’s a sophomore, Arbitello said.
For that reason, Arbitello didn’t let him join the team until he began to catch up in the classroom. He made his debut Jan. 29 against Molloy and has emerged as a shot of adrenaline off the bench for Christ the King.
His recruitment already has begun, though it should take off once he gets on the AAU circuit and plays in front of more coaches. Fordham extended an offer this week and St. John’s, Rutgers, West Virginia and Cincinnati expressed interest after seeing his performance last Sunday.
“If there is a better freshman around, I didn’t see him,” renowned talent evaluator Tom Konchalski said. “He reminds me of two players who were physically ahead of their peers, Lance Stephenson and Lenny Cooke. Not only because he’s strong, the thing about him he has a very good feel for the game, he can really pass, he can defend multiple positions.”
* Christ the King point guard Malik Harmon took an official visit to St. Francis (Pa.), which offered him his first Division I scholarship last week.
Dynamic Seton Hall recruit Aquille Carr wrote on Twitter he will play professionally overseas next year rather than join the Pirates.
Wings Academy guard JaeQuan Brown will visit prep powerhouse Putnam Science Academy (Conn.) this weekend. The 6-foot-4 senior is fully qualified, but is waiting on scholarship offers; otherwise, he will attend prep school.
Football
Lincoln defensive tackle Thomas Holley picked up an offer from Ohio State on Tuesday, his 17th overall offer, all of which have come in the last six weeks.
Curtis wide receiver Dmari Fuller signed with Division II Southern Connecticut State this week.