Welcome to the upcoming season of basketball at Sunrise Christian Academy! With an impressive roster of talented players, this Christian academy is ready to take the court and make a name for itself. As we take a closer look at the players, it’s clear that there are some rising stars in the making here. Read on to learn more about the incredible basketball roster of Sunrise Christian Academy and the potential it holds for a successful season.
Josh Green
Throughout his high school career, Green has consistently demonstrated why he is considered one of the best recruits in the country. He was named an All-State selection during his junior season while leading his team to the state championship game. He was also invited to participate in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American game last year, where he showcased his skills against some of the best talents in the nation.
With his combination of size, athleticism, and shooting ability, Josh Green could very well be the missing piece to a championship puzzle for Sunrise Christian Academy this upcoming season. It will certainly be exciting to watch him take the court in the coming weeks!
1) Given that Sunrise Christian Academy won their conference last year, what are they going to do next?
2) Who else should people watch out for?
3) What are your thoughts on Jahlil Okafor?
RJ Hampton
As a junior, Hampton averaged 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals per game. He also led his team to the tournament semifinals. On top of that, he has been been named the District 10-5A MVP and an All-State selection. Hampton has all the tools to be a dominant player for Sunrise Christian Academy this upcoming season.
In addition to his impressive on-court abilities, Hampton has shown incredible leadership off the court as well. He’s been active in his community and works with charities such as Feed My Starving Children and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. His dedication to making a difference shows how much he cares about helping others. With his skills on the court and character off it, RJ Hampton is poised to have a very promising senior year at Sunrise Christian Academy.
Head Coach Tony Bishop says I’m excited to work with him. We’re just going to try and teach him and mold him into the type of player we want. You know, we don’t want our players not just be one dimensional; we want them to be able to shoot, pass, dribble and play defense. That way they’re more versatile. Anson Piggy Cramer: Piggy may only be a sophomore, but he will bring plenty of size and talent to the Sunrise Christian roster this season.
Standing at 6’6, Piggy averaged 15 points per game last year while playing varsity basketball in high school. Piggy plays big too–he’s currently ranked 5th nationally among high school seniors in shot blocking–which makes him a perfect fit for Sunrise Christian Academy because Coach Bishop wants to build their team around size. When asked about Piggy joining their program, Bishop said, I think that Anson is someone who could have played Division 1 ball next year or could have played overseas.
NFL Dante
The Sunrise Christian Academy basketball team is gearing up for an exciting season, and at the forefront of their lineup is N’Faly Dante. A 6’10 center from Mali, Dante has been recognized as a five-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals, and ESPN. He is one of the most highly-touted players in the country, and he brings a unique combination of size, skill, and athleticism to the court.
Dante began playing basketball in his native country of Mali, where he won several championships with his teams before transferring to Sunrise Christian Academy in 2020. His skills have quickly translated to success in the US, earning him multiple accolades including the 2021 Gatorade Player of the Year award in Kansas.
Dante is expected to be a key contributor for Sunrise Christian this season. He brings a unique set of skills to the court, with his size, agility, and playmaking ability making him an all-around threat on offense and defense. With Dante anchoring the middle, the sky is the limit for what the Eagles can achieve this season.
Cassius Stanley
Stanley has been playing competitively since he was 8 years old, most recently suiting up for Chatsworth High School in Los Angeles. He was named All-State and All-City during his senior season, where he averaged 24 points and 7 rebounds per game.
With Sunrise Christian Academy, Stanley brings a versatile game to the court. He can score from all three levels and finish strong at the rim. His ability to create offense and disrupt passing lanes on defense make him an ideal fit for the team’s system.
The upcoming season looks bright for Cassius Stanley and Sunrise Christian Academy. With his leadership, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Wendell Moore Jr.
Moore Jr. has had a highly decorated high school career, earning multiple awards such as being named to the MaxPreps Junior All-American First Team, McDonald’s All-American Team, and All-USA First Team. He has also named an all-state selection in both his sophomore and junior seasons at Concord High School.
At Sunrise Christian Academy, Moore Jr. is expected to continue his success. He already has many offers from some of the top colleges in the nation, including Duke, Kansas, and North Carolina. With his impressive skillset and impressive size for a guard, Wendell Moore Jr. is sure to be a star player on the court this upcoming season.
David McCormack
McCormack’s high school career has been nothing short of impressive. During his senior year at Oak Hill Academy, he averaged a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds per game. He was also named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Virginia.
At Sunrise Christian Academy, David McCormack is sure to be an integral part of their success this season. His size and strength make him a formidable presence in the paint and a reliable asset in both offense and defense. With McCormack in the lineup, Sunrise Christian Academy looks poised to have a great year on the court.
Tristan Marina
A recent graduate of Helios Sports Academy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Tristan is no stranger to success. As the top-ranked recruit in his country’s class of 2019, he helped lead his high school team to three consecutive championships. Tristan was also selected to be part of the Netherlands’ U18 National Team and participated in the FIBA U18 European Championships.
At Sunrise Christian Academy, Tristan has continued to excel and is set to have an even bigger role on this upcoming season’s roster. With his athleticism, experience, and leadership abilities, Tristan will be counted on to lead the team to success. Expect big things from this young star as he continues to develop his skillset and strive for excellence on the court.
Mark Watts Jr.
Watts was a key contributor on his AAU team, the Michigan Mustangs, where he averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting an impressive 40 percent from 3-point range. His stellar play earned him a spot in the Michigan High School Basketball Association All-State Team, cementing his status as one of the top prospects in the state.
Sunrise Christian Academy is looking to build off its impressive run last year, and the addition of Mark Watts Jr. looks to be a part of that. With his athleticism, court vision, and ability to shoot from deep, he should fit in perfectly with their up-tempo system. Look for Mark to make a big impact on the team this season!
Isaiah Todd
One of the brightest stars on Sunrise Christian Academy’s basketball roster is undoubtedly Isaiah Todd. At 6’10 and with a wingspan of 7’1, the senior power forward is the perfect combination of size, athleticism, and skill.
Todd grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where he was a four-star recruit and an all-state selection at Trinity Episcopal School. He was also ranked as the No. 5 overall recruit in the class of 2020 by 247 Sports.
At Sunrise Christian Academy, Todd has made an immediate impact. He averaged 20.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game during his first season with the program. He led the Eagles to a 29-4 record and a third-place finish in the National Prep Championship.
In addition to his impressive stats, Todd also showcased a high basketball IQ throughout the season. He consistently read the game well and showed great decision-making when distributing the ball to his teammates.
Todd is currently projected to be taken in the first round of this year’s NBA Draft. With his size and athleticism, he has the potential to be an All-Star caliber player at the next level.
Make sure to keep an eye on Todd throughout the upcoming season as he looks to continue his development and lead Sunrise Christian Academy to a successful campaign.
Jaykwon Walton
At 6’7, Jaykwon is a dominant presence in the paint. His length and athleticism allow him to be a force on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he’s a threat to score at all three levels. He can attack the rim off the dribble or knock down shots from beyond the arc. On the defensive end, he uses his size to grab rebounds and protect the rim.
Jaykwon has seen steady improvement over his four years with Sunrise Christian Academy. He’s worked hard to become an all-around player and leader on the court. With his skill set and work ethic, Jaykwon is poised for a big senior season. I feel like my game has grown tremendously over the past couple of years, said Walton. In my last year, I’m going to try my hardest and be more aggressive.