Kamari Whyte has spent the summer turning heads, and his latest stop on the New York asphalt only added to the buzz.
The Class of 2027 guard poured in 26 points to lead Zone 6 past Gersh, 67-59, in the latest NY vs NY matchup. It was another strong showing for the Harlem, NY native, who has seen his profile climb sharply after helping push New Heights to a 2027 3SSB championship.
Whyte is heading to Blair Academy (NJ) with real momentum behind him. He already picked up Gatorade Vermont Player of the Year honors while playing a national schedule at Vermont Academy, and now he’s hearing from Marquette, Mississippi State, Villanova, VCU, Utah, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and others.
At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Whyte has developed into a guard who can score in a hurry and attack the rim with force. He’s also stepping into a bigger role with New Heights, where he’ll be asked to help fill the void left by 2026 graduation and the departure of McDonald’s All American and current Duke guard Derron Rippey Jr.
That means more responsibility in a system that has long leaned on elite backcourt play, and Whyte looks ready for it. He’ll also have help from fellow New Heights teammate Kamsi Awaka, a 6-foot-10 presence who can finish above the rim and protect the basket with shot blocking.
“The most polished part of my game is my downhill motor,” Whyte told ZAGSBLOG.
“I get there with ease. The most fun I get on the court is from drawing fouls and dunking the ball. My role next year, I see myself as scorer but more of a point guard.”
Whyte backed up that description in New Heights’ 66-64 win over Mass Rivals in the 2026 3SSB title game, when he scored 20 points and leaned on a pull-up jumper along with finishes at the rim with either hand.
He also showed signs of what could be coming next season, controlling the offense and finding cutters as the game flowed through him. Like Rippey Jr. before him, Whyte gives the offense direction - a strong, built guard who can’t be given even a sliver of space.
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Gonzagas Portal Haul Earns Buzz But One Tension Still Lingers
Gonzaga spent the spring rebuilding a roster that lost 11 players from last season, and the early return on its portal work has been enough to draw some attention. The Bulldogs blended international signings, freshmen, a redshirt player and two transfers, with analyst Matthew Winick giving the additions of Massamba Diop and Isiah Harwell grades of A and B- as part of a transfer class that landed 67th overall.
Diop brings the kind of defensive reputation that can stabilize a new group quickly, while Harwell is being viewed as a possible breakout candidate after a rough freshman offensive season. Even with those pieces in place, the picture is not fully settled yet, and Gonzagas haul still comes with a bit of unfinished business as the staff keeps sorting through the final shape of the roster. [Read more 🡒]