By Five Boro Sports
PHILADELPHIA — David (Pepe) Joseph might have been listed as a rising sophomore and a member of the Class of 2012 in the Reebok All-American Camp pamphlet, but he sure didn’t look like it.
The 6-foot former Newtown HS star has bulked up considerably since being down at Zion Lutheran in Deerfield Beach, Fla., and, of course, the 2012 classification was a mistake in the book. Joseph is a rising senior.
“I work out every day — except for Sundays,” said Joseph, a native of LeFrak City in Queens. “Bench press, free weights, squats. Everything.”
Always known for being slight of build, Joseph has developed a college body and coaches have taken notice. He says he has interest from schools like Penn State, Texas A&M and Kansas State.
Joseph has gotten better in every phase of his game — he’s a better finisher now around the rim, a better jump shooter and a better creator. He was always excellent off the dribble and his new-found size and strength can only add to his effectiveness.
“I saw at the City of Palms Classic [in December] … and he’s gotten so much stronger since then,” recruiting guru Tom Konchalski observed Thursday at Philadelphia University. “He’s really improved. He’s a scholarship player at some level.”
Being at Zion Lutheran hasn’t just helped Joseph physically, either. One of the reasons he left Newtown was because of academic woes and that’s something he has turned around completely down in Florida.
“The school, the population is small,” Joseph said. “There are small classes, so you can really concentrate on your work.”
He was named to the all-state Class A fourth team by Florida sports writers and members of the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches in June. Joseph averaged 17.8 points per game in 2007-08, his final season at Newtown. He might have been the best player in PSAL Class A, but he and adviser Nate Blue said he needed a change of scenery and the he had done all he could with the Pioneers.
Joseph was hooked up with the Reebok All-American Camp by his coach down at Zion Lutheran, Johnny Flemming. It has certainly been a good experience for him, getting to play against some of the country’s best players. Joseph showed off his ability to snake through defenses and get to the basket in front of plenty of high Division I college coaches.
“It’s fun,” Joseph said. “There’s a lot of competition.”
