2023 Breakout Prospects

<p>The 2019-20 season was filled with big-time moments from freshmen as Camden’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850751" first="Dajuan" last="Wagner Jr"].</strong> was selected to second team All-State. <strong>Mackenzie Mgabko </strong>helped Gill St. Bernard’s reach the final, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850752" first="Simeon" last="Wilcher"]</strong> had big time moments for the Rosellec Catholic this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933733" first="Darrien" last="Grady"] </strong>led all New Jersey freshmen in scoring at over 24 points per game this season. While these freshmen had big moments during their first varsity season, there are other freshmen waiting to burst out onto the scene. Here are the top 2023 breakout prospects for the 2020-21 season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850753" first="Akil" last="Watson"], 6’7 SF Don Bosco Prep</strong></p> <p>Watson was a starter for the Ironmen this season, but he was not viewed as the primary scoring option. That should change next season as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933658" first="Brendan" last="Mykalcio"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850355" first="Myles" last="Ruth"]</strong> will have both graduated. Watson is a skilled perimeter player with the ability to score from inside and out. He dropped a career-high 23 points against Marist, but failed to grab 10 rebounds in a game. Watson has the potential to be one of the top forwards in Bergen County next season and should be a double-double threat in his sophomore season.</p> <p><strong>Ty-laur Johnson, 5’10 PG St. Benedict’s</strong></p> <p>Johnson was a key contributor for the Grey Bees last season, but he will shoulder a greater load in 2020-21. NJIT commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850348" first="Adetokundo" last="Bakare"]</strong> was one of the top floor generals in New Jersey this season, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850349" first="E.J." last="Evans"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850353" first="Barra" last="Njie"] </strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896655" first="Nicholas" last="Black"]</strong> are also graduating. Johnson is a lightning quick guard who knows how to put his teammates in the right spots on offense. He knows how to attack the basket and is a pesky on-ball defender. Johnson will be called upon to be a leader in the backcourt for St. Benedict’s next season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902751" first="Cornelius" last="Robinson"], 6’4 SF Camden</strong></p> <p>Camden already had a pair of dynamic freshmen in Wagner and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850757" first="Cian" last="Medley"]</strong>, but Robinson created an impact off the bench. He was one of the first forwards off the bench and provided head coach Rick Brunson with great energy. Robinson is unafraid to scrap down low for rebounds and has a nice touch around the basket. The Panthers lose Kentucky commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766063" first="Lance" last="Ware"]</strong> to graduation and need someone down low next to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850504" first="Ta’Quan" last="Woodley"]</strong>. Robinson has the ability to do so with the energy he brings on both ends.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902742" first="Delroy" last="Smith"], 6’5 PF Newark East Side</strong></p> <p>Monmouth commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850338" first="Mikah" last="Johnson Jr."] </strong>was one of the top swingmen in Essex County this season and the Red Raiders need someone to replace his production. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902743" first="Quatrell" last="Wilson"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933715" first="Nasir" last="Wheeler"]</strong> are intriguing candidates, but Smith has to be the pick. The 6’5 forward has a nice touch around the basket and is unafraid to mix it up down low. Smith knows how to use his body down low and is an underratd shot-blocker. The Red Raiders are looking for a bounce-back season in 2020-21 and Smith’s emergence in the post would lead the way.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902756" first="Jadin" last="Collins"], PG Roselle Catholic</strong></p> <p>The Lions won their third consecutive Non-Public B North title, but they will have to replace <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766099" first="CJ" last="Wilcher"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766102" first="Niels" last="Lane"], [player_tooltip player_id="850351" first="Richie" last="Greaves"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896624" first="Ahmad" last="Robinson"]</strong> in the backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id="787669" first="Corey" last="Floyd Jr"]. and the younger Wilcher should be the starters for head coach Dave Boff, but watch out for Collins. The freshman point guard is a tough on-ball defender as he caused problems for Shore Conference Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901942" first="Ben" last="Roy"]</strong> in the Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase. Collins is lightning quick and is a solid passer. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902745" first="Maurice" last="Mcknight"] </strong>and <strong>Aaron Bradshaw</strong> were also considerations as the Lions look to win their fourth straight Non-Public B North title next season.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902741" first="Elijah" last="Gertrude"], 6’0 PG Hudson Catholic</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="829428" first="Jayden" last="Williams"], 5’9 PG Blair</strong></p> <p><strong>Jalen Robinson, 5’10 PG Columbia</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933047" first="Jahmir" last="Smith"], 5’8 PG Holy Spirit</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>