Slam Dunk superlatives

Gonzaga College High School’s Chuck Harris drives on Albany Academy’s Marcus Jackson. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Kenny Riedel

January 2, 2019

Our Savior New American sophomore Jonathan Kuminga broke the Slam Dunk scoring record by tallying 40 points against Gonzaga.

The 2018 Slam Dunk to the Beach has come and gone, as 18 teams put top-level basketball on display at Cape Henlopen High School. Big dunks, deep shots and ankle-breaking moves thrilled the crowds throughout the three-day event. Here are some of the notable players and their accomplishments during their trip to Lewes.

Tournament MVP

Jonathan Kuminga, Our Savior New American (N.Y.) – If his two games at Slam Dunk are any indication, this 6-foot-9 sophomore forward will reach his goal of becoming “a combination of LeBron [James] and Giannis [Antetokounmpo]” sooner rather than later. Kuminga averaged 33 points, six rebounds and five assists in losses to Gonzaga (D.C.) and Archbishop Wood (Pa.), setting a new tournament record with 40 points against the Eagles.

Over the two-game stretch, Kuminga hit 52 percent of his field goal tries and went an absurd 13-for-22 (59 percent) from beyond the arc. The Congo native played a level above some very stiff competition, wowing fans and scouts with a rare combination of size, skill and athleticism. Connecticut, Maryland and dozens of others have already made offers to Kuminga.

All-Tournament team

Jonathan Kuminga, So., forward, Our Savior New American (N.Y.), 33.0 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 5.5 assists per game, 23-44 field goals, 13-22 three-pointers

Noah Collier, Jr., forward, Westtown (Pa.), 27.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 22-30 FG, 2-3 3FG

Justin Champagnie, Sr., forward, Bishop Loughlin (N.Y.), 22.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 steals per game, 20-26 FG, 4-4 free throws

Kahlil Whitney, Sr., guard, Roselle Catholic (N.J.), 22.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 17-29 FG, 5-12 3FG

Symir Torrence, Jr., guard, Vermont Academy (Vt.), 19.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 13-26 FG, 4-12 3FG

Cameron Brown, Sr., guard, Eleanor Roosevelt (Md.), 22.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 16-36 FG, 6-13 3FG

Chuck Harris, Jr., guard, Gonzaga College (D.C.), 15.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.0 APG, 18-28 FG, 2-6 3FG

August Mahoney, Sr., guard, Albany Academy (N.Y.), 21.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 14-31 FG, 12-21 3FG

Daeshon Shepherd, So., guard, Archbishop Wood (Pa.), 18.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 14-23 FG, 7-9 FT

Jalen Gaffney, Sr., guard, Westtown (Pa.), 18.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 11-24 FG, 4-12 3FG

Andre Jackson, Jr., guard, Albany Academy (N.Y.), 18.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 15-22 FG, 4-6 3FG

Myles Stute, Jr., forward, Gonzaga College (D.C.), 13.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 16-28 FG, 3-7 3FG

Nnanna Njoku, So., forward, Sanford, 6.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.0 blocks per game, 13-18 FG, 7-11 FT

Colby Rogers, Sr., guard, Roselle Catholic (N.J.), 17.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 13-20 FG, 6-11 3FG

Jyare Davis, Jr., forward, Sanford, 14.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.5 SPG, 11-25 FG, 2-5 3FG

*All-tournament selections made from teams that played two or more games at Slam Dunk

Top team

Gonzaga College (D.C.) – The Eagles cruised to three wins in three days, outscoring some prime-time competition by 12.3 points per game and shooting a ridiculous 55 percent from the floor in the process.

Stephen Turner’s charges took down Albany Academy (N.Y.), Our Savior New American (N.Y.), and Liberty (Nev.) by playing the smart, disciplined basketball that Slam Dunk fans have come to expect from them over the last two years. Four Gonzaga players – high-major prospects Chuck Harris, Terrance Williams, Myles Stute, and Anwar Gill – averaged double figures in scoring for the tourney. The Eagles’ brilliance at Slam Dunk could elevate them into the national polls in the coming week.