Union County Conference: Top Players for 2019-2020
The Union County Conference has been the best in the state of New Jersey for close to a decade. Roselle Catholic and The Patrick School are two of the best teams in the state year in and year out and…
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Continue ReadingThe Union County Conference has been the best in the state of New Jersey for close to a decade. Roselle Catholic and The Patrick School are two of the best teams in the state year in and year out and that will continue in 2019-2020. Dozens of players from the UCC go on to play high Division I basketball and have been drafted into the NBA. This conference features some of the state’s top players including the ones below.
Cliff Omoruyi (2020) | 6’11 C | Roselle Catholic
If this Roselle Catholic big man is not the best player in the state then he is without a doubt top-three. Omoruyi has it all on the court. He can rebound, block shots, score in the post, and throw down electric dunks that excite the crowd. Down the line, Omoruyi will develop a jump shot which is a scary thought for opposing defenses. He has the ability to shoot from mid-range but opts for the easier option against teams that he can dominate. Omoruyi is expected to announce his college decision this spring after the season. He has been offered by schools like Kentucky, Florida, UConn, Auburn, and Louisville among plenty of others. This will be a busy senior season for Omoruyi on and off the high school court.
Photo by CBS SportsJonathan Kuminga (2021) | 6’8 SF | The Patrick School
Kuminga is the top player in the Class of 2021 and might be the best player in the nation regardless of class. He will join The Patrick School from Our Savior New American in Centerreach, NY along with Adama Sanogo, a 6’9 forward. The Patrick School is the preseason favorite to win the Tournament of Champions this season. Kuminga has a chance to be one of the best players to ever walk through The Patrick School. That is high praise for a program that had names like Kyrie Irving and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Every top program in the nation will be after Kuminga who has expectations of being a top pick in the NBA as well. First, he has some unfinished business at The Patrick School.
DJ Watkins (2020) | 6’1 PG | Elizabeth
Watkins, one of five All-Division First Teamers for Elizabeth, will lead three returning players in 2019-2020. Elizabeth finished 26-2 last season and returning three All-Division players has them set up for another big season. Watkins has multiple strengths when on the court. He can score if needed, finishing last season with 15 double-digit scoring games. If he is not scoring, Watkins acts as a distributor setting his teammates up in the best position. This will be a big season in Elizabeth.
Photo by Hail Florida HailNiels Lane (2020) | 6’5 SG | Roselle Catholic
Lane is yet another transfer player who decided to join the powerhouse UCC. He spent last season at the Perkiomen School in PA and will play at one of the top schools in NJ for his senior season. With Kahlil Whitney now at Kentucky, Lane will look to become the new leader of a talented Lions’ team. The Florida commit is a big guard who can defend all five positions and plays with energy on every possession no matter the score or situation. This will be a huge season for Lane at Roselle Catholic before he moves on to one of the finest college programs in the country.
Al-Fatir Connor (2021) | 5’10 SG | Elizabeth
As a sophomore, Connor was one of the key contributors on an Elizabeth team that saw great success. He was a First Team All-Division selection and will look to take the next step as a junior. He is a combo guard who can shoot from deep and take the ball to the basket when defenders come out on him. Elizabeth has set their program up for success not just this season, but for many seasons to come.
Photo by ZagsblogNoah Farrakhan (2020) | 6’1 PG | The Patrick School
Farrakhan will return home to The Patrick School for his senior season. The 6’1 point guard spent the previous two seasons at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. The Newark, NJ native will finish up in his home state and will join a stacked team. The Patrick School features some of the state’s top players, including Farrakhan who falls inside the top-10. He holds offers from Florida, Maryland, and Minnesota among others. Farrakhan will bring an experienced mindset to a team that is looking to contend for yet another Tournament of Champions title in New Jersey.
Tahlee Bailey (2020) | 6’2 SG | Rahway
Bailey was the leader of a Rahway team that won 20 games a season ago. As a junior, he proved to be an excellent rebounder as a guard. Rebounding and defense is where Bailey excels beyond his ability to score. Rahway is an up-and-down program. Last season was up and with Bailey as a senior, this can be expected to be another strong season.
Amir Williams (2020) | 6’3 SG | Linden
Linden found a bright spot in Williams last season. They are a program that has history of winning state titles but they were not in contention a season ago. As a junior, Williams made a name for himself on the offensive end. He finished with 16 games scoring in double-figures including five games of 20 points or more. At 6’3, Williams possess the size and the skill set to dominate offensively.
Griffin Rooney (2020) | 6’1 PG | Westfield
Rooney continues the trend of point guards in Westfield who can put the ball in the basket. As a junior, Rooney had just four games where he did not reach double-figure points. An All-Division First Team member, Rooney will return as the No. 1 option on a Westfield team that won just 10 games last season. They will look to take the next step with their talented point guard running the show.
Elijah Barlow (2021) | 6’1 SG | Union Catholic
Union Catholic does not get a ton of basketball coverage because it is over shadowed by their excellent track and gymnastics programs. Over the next two seasons, basketball will be in the light led by Barlow. As a sophomore, Barlow was a key contributor on a 19-win team. He will just improve as an overall player as a junior and take on a leadership role with some other key returning players. Union Catholic basketball could be on the rise over the next few seasons.