2022 Prospects with big shoes to fill
The 2022 class in New Jersey is loaded with high-end talent. Hudson Catholic’s Zion Cruz Zion Cruz 6'4" | SG Patrick School | 2022 #26 Nation CA-S is seen as one of the top players in the nation, while Will…
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Continue ReadingThe 2022 class in New Jersey is loaded with high-end talent. Hudson Catholic’s Zion Cruz Zion Cruz 6'4" | SG Patrick School | 2022 #26 Nation CA-S is seen as one of the top players in the nation, while Will Richardson Will Richardson 6'2" | PG Bergen Catholic | 2022 State #76 Nation NJ , Mark Armstrong Mark Armstrong 6'2" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2022 State #39 Nation NJ and Ben Roy Ben Roy 6'2" | PG Manasquan | 2022 State #218 Nation NJ were all named to an All-State team. While all these sophomores had starring roles for their teams in 2019-20, there are some who will take over the spotlight this season. Here are the top 2022 prospects with the biggest shoes to fill.
Jaquan Harris Jaquan Harris 6'4" | PG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State #164 Nation NJ , 6’4 SG St. Thomas Aquinas
It’s hard to say that a player named first team All-GMC has big shoes to fill, but that is the case with Harris. Wake Forest commit Quadry Adams Quadry Adams 6'3" | PG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2020 State #361 Nation NJ was a driving force for the Trojans all season long and was selected to third team All-State. Harris can score at all three levels and is unafraid of taking the ball to the basket. He has a good first step and utilizes his height to see over his defender and run the offense. Tristan Jeffries Tristan Jeffries 6'5" | SF St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State NJ and Josh Rivera should ease the pain for St. Thomas Aquinas, but Harris is the man running the show for the Trojans in 2020-21.
Corey Floyd Jr Corey Floyd Jr 6'4" | SG Roselle Catholic | 2022 NJ ., 6’2 PG Roselle Catholic
Floyd Jr.’s placement on the list was inevitable as the Lions graduate the majority of their backcourt from last season. CJ Wilcher CJ Wilcher 6'5" | SG Roselle Catholic | 2020 #95 Nation NJ , Niels Lane Niels Lane 6'5" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2020 State #72 Nation NJ , Richie Greaves Richie Greaves 6'0" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2020 State NJ and Ahmad Robinson Ahmad Robinson 5'11" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2020 State NJ were all seniors, which creates a starting opportunity in the backcourt. Floyd Jr. is one of the top two-way guards in the class as he is a tough defender and underrated perimeter shooter. He is also a solid passer and has a good chemistry with Simeon Wilcher Simeon Wilcher 6'4" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #17 Nation NJ . Roselle Catholic will need someone to take a leadership role in 2020-21 and Floyd Jr. is ready to do that.
David Olaniyi David Olaniyi 5'10" | PG Newark East Side | 2022 State NJ / Jahzeer Gaskin Jahzeer Gaskin 5'10" | PG West Side | 2022 State NJ , 5’10 PG Newark East Side
The Red Raiders did not have as good of a season as they expected, but they are losing one of the top players in Essex County in Mikah Johnson Jr. Mikah Johnson Jr. 6'4" | SG Newark East Side | 2020 State NJ The Monmouth commit was named second team All-Group 4 after averaging over 15 points per game. Olaniyi and Gaskin had solid sophomore seasons as they did their roles admirably. The former ran the offense for Newark East Side while the latter was the team’s top three-point shooter. The Red Raiders will need their sophomore guards to step up their scoring if they want to contend for a Group 4 title in 2020-21.
Dionte Johnson Dionte Johnson 6'0" | PG Patrick School | 2022 State NJ , 6’0 PG Patrick School
Noah Farrakhan Noah Farrakhan 6'1" | PG The Patrick School | 2020 #159 Nation NJ is the top uncommitted guard in the senior class and the Celtics will miss his leadership in 2020-21. Johnson is a quick point guard who can beat his man off the dribble. He is a good on-ball defender and does not seem to panic when the ball is in hands. Johnson is a solid passer and learned how to run an offense by playing alongside Farrakhan this season. The Celtics were one of the top teams in New Jersey last year and will look to continue their success with Johnson at point guard next season.
Aaron Carter Aaron Carter 6'2" | PG ISchool Lewisville | 2022 State TX , 6’0 PG Don Bosco Prep
Isaiah Edmond Isaiah Edmond 6'2" | CG Don Bosco Prep | 2022 State NJ is also an option here as the Ironmen have to replace one of the top point guards in Bergen County in Myles Ruth Myles Ruth 6'1" | PG Don Bosco Prep | 2020 State NJ . Carter has a good chemistry with Edmond and already has experience running the offense. The 6’0 point guard has a quick first step and knows how to make plays in the lane. Carter is a tough on-ball defender and is a solid passer. Don Bosco Prep needs Carter to run the offense smoothly if the Ironmen want to be one of the top teams in Bergen County in 2020-21.
Other Names to Know:
Zy’ree Beverly Zy’ree Beverly 6'6" | PF Elizabeth | 2022 State NJ , 6’6 PF Elizabeth
Dante Weise Dante Weise 6'1" | PG George School | 2023 State PA , 5’9 PG Allentown
Tommy Mooney Tommy Mooney 6'1" | PG Haddonfield | 2022 State NJ , 6’1 PG Haddonfield
Jamaal Morris Jamaal Morris 5'10" | PG Trenton Catholic | 2022 NY , 5’10 PG Burlington City
Josiah Brown Josiah Brown 5'8" | PG New Brunswick | 2022 State NJ , 5’8 PG New Brunswick