2022 Prospects Ready for a Big Junior Season

<p>The 2022 class had plenty of big-time moments throughout the 2019-20 season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787655" first="Jayden" last="Pierre"]</strong> hit the game-winning shot for Elizabeth in the North Jersey 2 Group 4 title game against Watchung Hills. Manasquan’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901942" first="Ben" last="Roy"] </strong>was named Shore Conference Player of the Year and was second team All-State. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850662" first="Will" last="Richardson"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850664" first="Mark" last="Armstrong"]</strong> were both selected to third team All-State after big seasons for Bergen Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep, respectively. Here are the top 2022 prospects in line for big junior seasons.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787610" first="Zion" last="Cruz"], 6’3 CG Hudson Catholic</strong></p> <p>Cruz was on pace for a big sophomore season before missing time due to injury. The 6’3 combo guard is one of the top athletes in the 2022 class and knows how to finish above the rim. Cruz is hard to contain off the bounce as he has a lightning quick first step. He is capable of knocking down shots from behind the arc and can take over a game at any time. The Hawks had a good season in 2019-20, but bigger things are yet to come with Cruz playing in the backcourt.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787669" first="Corey" last="Floyd Jr"]., 6’3 SG Roselle Catholic</strong></p> <p>Floyd Jr. started for Roselle Catholic this season, but was not asked to me a go-to scorer with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766099" first="CJ" last="Wilcher"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850316" first="Cliff" last="Omoruyi"] </strong>on the floor. The Lions will need him to up his scoring as both players are graduating along with Florida commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766102" first="Niels" last="Lane"]</strong>, Binghamton commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850351" first="Richie" last="Greaves"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896624" first="Ahmad" last="Robinson"]</strong>. Floyd Jr. is a versatile guard who can get to the basket and knock down perimeter jump shots. He is a tough on-ball defender and a good passer, evidenced by his perfect baseball pass to Wilcher to beat Manasquan at the Boardwalk Showcase. Floyd Jr. has been a key contributor for Roselle Catholic the last two seasons and is ready to take a staring role in 2019-20.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850680" first="Lual" last="Manyang"], 6’10 C Blair Academy</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850672" first="Kyle" last="Cuffee Jr."] </strong>is the more well-known sophomore on Blair, but Manyang has a chance to break out in 2020-21. The 6’10 center plays with a high motor as he runs the floor hard and rarely takes a play off. Manyang has a nice touch around the basket and can step away from the basket to knock down jumpers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896445" first="Luke" last="Kolaja"]</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850503" first="Akoldah" last="Gak"]</strong> played in front of Manyang last season. With Kolaja heading to Yale, Manyang is primed to start alongside Gak in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850683" first="Julian" last="Brown"], 5’11 PG Bergen Catholic</strong></p> <p>Brown averaged 17.7 points per game for the defending Non-Public A North champions, but did not get enough recognition for his work this season. The 5’11 guard had ten 20-point games for the Crusaders, including a season-high 32 points on the road against rival St. Joseph (Mont.). Brown is fearless attacking the basket and is capable of getting hot in a hurry from distance. He is a solid on-ball defender and has a good chemistry with Richardson. Brown was one of the top guards in Non-Public A last season and that should continue in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901943" first="Dionte" last="Johnson"], 6’0 PG Patrick School</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="828326" first="Noah" last="Farrakhan"] </strong>ran the point for the Celtics in 2019-20, but Johnson started alongside him for most of the season. The 6’0 guard has good handles and uses his speed to blow by his defender in the half court. Johnson plays with his head up and makes plays when he gets in the lane. He moves his feet well on the defensive end and has quick hands. Farrakhan and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850356" first="Kirk" last="Parsons"]</strong> will both be graduating this season, leaving Johnson to man the point for the Celtics next season.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901944" first="Elmarko" last="Jackson"], 6’3 PG St. Augustine</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850671" first="Otega" last="Oweh"], 6’3 SG Rutgers Prep</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850674" first="David" last="Olaniyi"], 5’10 PG Newark East Side</strong></p> <p><strong>Charles Anyichie, 6’7 PF Ranney School</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901964" first="Ryan" last="Zan"], 6’5 PF Ranney School</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901974" first="Donovan" last="Long"], 6’6 SF Marist</strong></p>