"Rawle Alkins started the year as a virtual unknown on a stacked Christ the King boys basketball team.
He ended his freshman year as one of the city’s rising stars after helping the Royals capture the New York State Federation Class AA title in Albany.
The uber-athletic 6-foot-4 guard arrived at Christ the King from Florida, where he lived for several years after being raised in Canarsie. Royals coach Joe Arbitello brought Alkins along slowly during the season.
Alkins didn’t make his debut until Jan. 29 against Archbishop Molloy. He quickly provided a spark off the bench with his athleticism and has already drawn comparisons to former Lincoln great Lance Stephenson.
While he opened eyes as a ferocious dunker, Alkins showcased his entire arsenal in the postseason. He scored 14 points in the CHSAA Class AA intersectional final against Bishop Loughlin and had 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, in the Federation final against Long Island Lutheran.
“Rawle is really improving in the classroom,” Arbitello said. “He’s trying to add muscle since he’s played with our alumni [after the season]. He understands the importance of getting stronger.”
Fordham was the first to offer Alkins following his freshman year, but while competing with New Rens on the AAU circuit, Alkins has continued to impress and now also has offers from Cincinnati, Villanova and Seton Hall in addition to interest from a bevy of Division I schools.
“Everybody talks about his dunking, but I’ve been telling everyone he can really pass and he can really shoot it,” Arbitello said after the Federation final. “I think today you guys understand he can really shoot it.”
“@Dylan_Butler: First up in a look at the top 30 players to watch in NYC is CK rising soph Rawle Alkins
http://www.msgvarsity.com/s/6Ht3 via @MSG_Varsity”