What's up guys?! My name is CJ Riley and I'm from The Bronx. I am a Freshman, I am 5'8, and I currently attend Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx. I play for the New York Rens on the AAU Nike EYBL Circuit. Here at Hayes, we are undefeated right now at 8-0. We beat two of the top Freshman teams in the city which were Archibishop Stepinac and St. Raymond's. This past AAU season, my NY Rens team made it to the Semi-Finals in a very tough and competitive Made Hoops winter circuit. The Rens produce a lot of D1 talent and NBA prospects. For Example: Hamidou Diallo, a Shooting Guard from the Oklahoma City Thunder, is a Rens Alum.

So, a little more about me would be..

I really started taking basketball serious in the 5th grade. My close friend RJ Greene, who currently is a Freshman at Iona Prep, and I played for the New Heights AAU program together. Our fathers are very big on basketball and we bonded right away. We played for New Heights for about 2 years then we went to the PSA Cardinals. After about a year, I went to go play with the NY Rens because I felt it was a better fit for me, personally. My favorite player is Russell Westbrook and it’s funny because people usually tell me I look like him. My favorite food is macaroni and cheese with steak. I listen to a lot of rap music mainly Meek Mill, Sheck Wes, TJ Porter, A Boogie, and Lil Baby.

12/22/18

I’m back guys with a little season update. Our freshman team is now 10-0, my previous game against Archbishop Molloy, I had 25 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Today we played the only other undefeated team which is St. Anthony’s. We won by 2 points and I had 17 points with 7 assists. I’m really starting to get into a little groove right now. I feel like the game is just coming to me. Tomorrow we play against Christ The King in Queens, people say they aren’t that good but we do not over look any teams. We treat everyone with respect and prepare as if they are the #1 team. My pregame songs are “Trap Money, “Bosses And Workers”, TJ Porter’s “Glowing Up”, or Sheck Wes’s “Wanted”. Those four songs get me so hyped before a game. Other than basketball, I’m still putting school first, as I am maintaining a 89 average and trying to push to a 90.

12/23/18

We beat Christ The King today by over 30 points. I had 16 points and 9 assists, we all played very well. We got off to a hot start and we were up 20 by the end of the first quarter. Our Varsity team played after so I stood to study their game and learn from them. I usually watch Joe Toussaint, Jaylen “Juju” Murray, and Jalen Smith. Each player brings different things to the game so I try and watch their moves. I feel like I can do better defensively so i’ve been watching Jalen Smith closely. We’re off the next three days but I’m still going to get in the gym, work on some jumpers and study some game film. I also watch a lot of Allonzo Trier of the New York Knicks, very underrated great guard who plays all around. 

Well it’s late and I need good rest, I’m trying to get in the gym tomorrow morning before my family eats and stuff for Christmas Eve dinner.

1/5/19

Happy New Year everyone! I’m back and I’m the same CJ, I just want to work harder to get better and push myself to the next level. I have to get physically stronger and quicker but also get smarter. Basketball is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical. We’re still undefeated at 13-0 but we’re continuing to work harder and harder. We beat St. Raymond’s by three and I had 28 points and scored 13 points of those in the 4th quarter. We started off playing selfish but once we got in the huddle and spoke with each other we were back on track and turned up! We had the “Raven’s Nest” shook! Shout out to all my supporters though because they pushed my team to keep going and come back in the game. Want to thank Ramsey, Jelly CC, Jaden, Dave aka “Cha Ching”, Mario, Quis, and Melanie. Mario is usually at every game letting me know how to get better so I really respect Mario. Other than that we have about four games coming up in the matter of two weeks. I’ll be back on my last entry to inform y’all about those though. 

1/16/19

What’s up guys, I’m back and glad to say we are still the only undefeated Freshman team in the CHSAA. We are now 17-0. We beat Scanlan, Iona, Farrell, and Mount St. Michael. We beat all of them by 10 or more and it’s because we gave a team effort and we played harder than everyone else. I cannot wait to hold the gold with my brothers because no matter how much we argue and fight, we are together as Cardinals. I’ve been having fun playing too and I’ve noticed my jumpshot has improved. I’ve gotten stronger and quicker and I’ve really pushed myself to become a better vocal leader. In the past i’ve let my emotions get the best of me and I’m learning to become a better man daily.

To everyone who is reading this, go follow my Instagram @jelllycj_! Also to everyone who reads this, thanks for the support and time, it means a lot. For all the young ballers growing up, social media and highlight tapes mean nothing, work in silence and don’t post everything you do. There’s nothing wrong with being a underdog, you should want to earn everyone’s respect not gain it through social media.

And before I finish this I want shout out Johnny! He has watched me grow from a non-talented guard and has helped me work to get where I am now. He also put me in offices that I never thought I could be in at my age. Very thankful for him and his guidance.

Alright guys catch you next month, peace!