Underrated Prospects in the Class of 2021
New Jersey is full of talent all over the state. Every year, players from the Garden State burst onto the scene at the collegiate and professional levels. This will be the case for the class of 2020 as well. the…
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Continue ReadingNew Jersey is full of talent all over the state. Every year, players from the Garden State burst onto the scene at the collegiate and professional levels. This will be the case for the class of 2020 as well. the next generation of younger players are ready to make a name for themselves. The class of 2021 has players all over the state that will have to take a backseat to some older players. This does not mean that they are not top level prospects. Here are some of the underrated prospects to keep an eye on in the junior class.
Photo via TwitterTa’Quan Woodley | 6’7 PF | Camden
Woodley turned some heads during his sophomore season. He was a walking double-double finishing with nine on the season. Woodley had double-digit rebounds in 14 games last season. His best game came in a blowout win over Audubon where he had 21 points and 16 rebounds. Lance Ware will grab most of the headlines for Camden as he has committed to Kentucky. Woodley piled up the offers as a sophomore with letters from Rutgers, South Carolina, Temple, La Salle, and Penn State.
Zarique Nutter | 6’4 SG | The Patrick School
When anyone hears The Patrick School, they will think of Jonathan Kuminga who is the top players in the class of 2021 and might be the best player overall in the nation. He transferred to The Patrick School with Adama Sanogo and they are immediately the top team in the state. It takes more than two players to build a champion. That is why players like Nutter are important. The 6’4 junior will be a key piece this season for The Patrick School. He is not a second fiddle player. Nutter can score from anywhere on the floor. Kuminga will draw much of the attention from defenses but this will only help Nutter get in better position to put the ball in the basket.
Akoldah Gak | 6’11 PF | Blair Academy
Playing at a prep school prepares players for the next level. Gak has caught the eye of schools like UConn, Miami, Rutgers, and Wake Forest. This is a player who has the size and length to be a dominant rim protector at the next level. Usually, Gak would not be overlooked but he just happens to be playing with the No. 1 player in New Jersey in Jabri Abdur-Rahim. Gak is hard to overlook when Blair steps in the floor. He is an intimidating presence for anyone going up against him.
Jai Smith | 6’10 PF | Roselle Catholic
The bigs are represented well on this list given that guard play is starting to take over the game. Forwards are here to take it back and Smith is one of those players. He transferred from a Connecticut school to play at one of the best programs in New Jersey. Roselle Catholic pumps out Division I talent on a regular basis. Smith is joining a team that features three of the top five seniors in the state. He will not take a backseat once the Lions step on the floor.
DiAri Duncan | 6’8 PF | Bergen Catholic
Bergen Catholic is one of the top teams in New Jersey. Duncan has a chance to grow with a winning program and learn from one of the top big men in Matt Zona. Bergen Catholic has a core of young players including Will Richardson but it begins with Duncan. Zona will be expected to carry the load and be a leader but Duncan has the ability to be an impact player. He owns one offer from Stony Brook and that number will increase as his career progresses over the next two seasons.
Other Names to Know
Josh Rivera, Roselle Catholic
Tristan Jeffries, Gill St. Bernard’s
Jalen Jones, St. Thomas Aquinas
Gio Gallo, Matawan
Pat Lacey, Wall