Top 2020 Prep School Prospects

<p>Most teams in New Jersey have not started playing basketball, but the NJSIAA Prep division has. Schools like St. Benedict's, Blair Academy and the Hun School have already began their season. While they are unable to compete for the Tournament of Champions, the Prep division has churned out lots of quality players over the years. J.R. Smith, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are some of the former players who have played in the Prep division. Here are the top 2020 prospects in the NJSIAA Prep division.</p> <p><strong>Jabri Abdur-Rahim, 6'5 SG/SF Blair Academy</strong></p> <p>The Virginia commit is one of the top 40 players in the country and is in strong contention to be a McDonald's All-American. The son of 12-year NBA veteran Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Jabri is a talented prospect that can impact the game in numerous ways. He is an efficient scorer who can score from all three levels, but does not force the issue with his offense. Abdur-Rahim is also a good passer and is extremely disruptive on the defensive end. Blair Academy has started off the season 7-0 because of Abdur-Rahim's performances so far.</p> <p><strong>Josh Hemmings, 6'8 PF Lawrenceville</strong></p> <p>The Canadian native is an athletic forward who will have a huge impact on the next level. The Harvard commit moves his feet extremely well and has a very refined offensive game. Hemmings has a soft touch around the basket, but can also step out and knock down perimeter jump shots. He is a force on the defensive end as he uses his length and athleticism to sky for blocks and rebounds. Hemmings is a talented stretch-4 who should have a monster final season at Lawrenceville.</p> <p><strong>Luke Kolaja, 6'8 PF Blair Academy</strong></p> <p>The second consecutive Ivy League prospect to make this list, Kolaja pairs nicely with Blair Academy's backcourt. The Yale commit has great range and good looking stroke, which gives Abdur-Rahim, <strong>Jaylen Blakes </strong>and <strong>Kyle Cuffee Jr. </strong>space to drive. Kolaja also has a solid low post game as he always plays with good footwork. He may not block shots like <strong>Akoldah Gak </strong>and <strong>Lual Manyang</strong>, but Kolaja is a good rim-protector who can alter shots at the basket. Blair Academy is loaded with quality talent, but Kolaja is one of the key pieces to the Buccaneers' attack in 2019-20.</p> <p><strong>Anthony Thomas, 6'8 SF Olympus Prep</strong></p> <p>The Patrick School transfer is a talented prospect who could climb up the rankings with a good senior season. Thomas is an athletic freak who loves to soar above the rim for high-flying dunks. His length and athleticism makes him one of the better defenders in New Jersey as he blocks numerous shots around the rim. Thomas is also a capable perimeter shooter who can hit shots in bunches when he gets hot. Olympus Prep is full of talented players, but it needs Anthony Thomas to play at his best this season.</p> <p><strong>Mounir Hima, 6'11 C St. Benedict's</strong></p> <p>The Grey Bees lost <strong>Supreme Cook</strong>, Toby Okani and Josh Orogun from last year's team, but they still have a dominant low post presence in Hima. The Niger native is a terrific shot-blocker as he blocks almost everything. Hima plays with a relentless motor and rarely takes a play off at both ends. His offensive game is revolved around catching lobs at the rim, but he is developing a solid low post game and already has a soft touch around the basket. Hima is a talented interior player who could shoot up the rankings with a solid senior season for St. Benedict's.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Supreme Cook, 6'8 PF Peddie</strong></p> <p><strong>Jacob Sussman, 6'5 SF Lawrenceville</strong></p> <p><strong>Adetokundo Bakare, 6'1 PG St. Benedict's</strong></p> <p><strong>Lucas Green, 6'5 SF Princeton Day School</strong></p> <p><strong>E.J. Evans, 6'4 SG St. Benedict's</strong></p> <p><strong>Liam Gunnarsson, 6'2 SG Hun</strong></p>