2021 Prospects With the Most to Prove

<p>The high school basketball season is right around the corner and the excitement is palpable. New players are settling into their environments, while schedules are being released. The rising juniors are under a lot of pressure as they will be counted on to provide more of a leadership role. Many college programs start looking at players in their junior season, so this is a big season for most players. Here are the juniors with the most to prove this season.</p> <p><strong>Jonathan Kuminga, 6'8 SF Patrick School</strong></p> <p>It's hard to believe that the top rated player in the country has a lot to prove, but Kuminga has never played Jersey high school basketball. The Congolese native played his sophomore season at Our Savior New American in New York along with <strong>Adama Sanogo</strong>. The Patrick School has high expectations this season as the Caseys are one of the favorites to win the Tournament of Champions. Kuminga has to prove that he is ready for Jersey basketball while guiding the Patrick School to its first Tournament of Champions since 2017.</p> <p><strong>Zach Hicks, 6'6 SF Camden Catholic</strong></p> <p>Camden Catholic has been one of the most consistent programs in South Jersey. The Celtics have won the last two Non-Public A South titles and have won 69 games in the last three seasons. Babatunde Ajike and Uche Okafor are gone, so Hicks has to pick up the slack. He averaged over 11 points a game last season, but that will not be enough for Camden Catholic to make it a three-peat. Hicks has to elevate his scoring to another level if the Celtics want to retain last year's top 10 status.</p> <p><strong>Malik Austin, 6'6 SF Hudson Catholic</strong></p> <p>Austin is an extremely talented player who should excel in the Hawks' offense. His ability to attack the basket and knock down shots from the perimeter should open things up for guards <strong>Zion Cruz </strong>and <strong>Justin Glover</strong> in the paint. While he is a talented prospect with a bright future, Austin did not play varsity basketball last season. Hudson Catholic needs Austin to be ready to play or else the Hawks could be in for a long season.</p> <p><strong>Sam Fagan, 5'10 PG Neptune</strong></p> <p>Fagan may not be a well-known name, but he is a D-1 prospect with an offer from Monmouth. He is a knockdown shooter from deep, but is also capable of running the Flyers' offense. Fagan missed extensive time last season due to injury, which led to <strong>Dwaine Jones </strong>carrying the offensive load for most of the season. With his graduation, Neptune needs Fagan to carry the offense in 2019-20 for the Flyers to have a successful season.</p> <p><strong>Ernest Carter, 6'0 PG Rahway</strong></p> <p>Carter transferred into Rahway from St. Thomas Aquinas, but he is still under pressure to perform. Rahway went 20-3 last season, but was upset by Colonia in the North 2 Group 3 semifinals. <strong>Tahlee Bailey </strong>returns for Rahway, but he needs someone to help him out. Carter has experience playing with a talented playmaker as he shared the backcourt with Wake Forest signee <strong>Quadry Adams</strong> last season. Rahway had a successful 2018-19 season, but the way the Indians will make it further in states is if Carter proves to be a consistent scoring threat to take pressure off Bailey.</p>