Top 2023 Unranked Prospects

<p>The 2023 class may have only played one varsity season, but it is filled to the brim with potential. Camden’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850751" first="Dajuan" last="Wagner Jr"]. </strong>was named to Second Team All-State after leading the Panthers to the South Jersey Group 2 title and a 29-1 record. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902732" first="Mackenzie" last="Mgbako"] </strong>was Gill St. Bernard’s second leading scorer, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850752" first="Simeon" last="Wilcher"] </strong>was a big-time contributor for Roselle Catholic. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850753" first="Akil" last="Watson"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850754" first="Spencer" last="Joyner"]</strong> picked up high major offers since the season, but they are not the only talented players in the class. Here are the top 2023 unranked prospects.</p> <p><strong>Aaron Bradshaw, 6’11 PF Roselle Catholic</strong></p> <p>The Lions lose basically their entire starting lineup from graduation, but should still be one of the teams to beat in New Jersey next season. Wilcher, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787669" first="Corey" last="Floyd Jr"]. </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902756" first="Jadin" last="Collins"]</strong> make up a talented backcourt, but the emergence of Bradshaw down low will be the difference. The 6’11 forward missed the season due to injury, but is full of big-time potential. Bradshaw is a high-end rim protector, but he also has the capability to face up from the perimeter and shot three-pointers. The sky is the limit for Bradshaw as he is in store for a monster 2020-21 season.</p> <p><strong>Ian Imegwu, 6’8 PF Blair Academy</strong></p> <p>The Buccaneers have an already loaded roster with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850502" first="Jaylen" last="Blakes"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850503" first="Akoldah" last="Gak"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850672" first="Kyle" last="Cuffee Jr."]</strong> even before the additions of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850671" first="Otega" last="Oweh"] </strong>and Imegwu. The later is a talented combo forward prospect who can knock three-pointers in bunches. Imegwu has a good face-up game and can attack the basket. He is also a skilled shot-blocker and a good rebounder. Blair Academy is filled with talented big men, but Imegwu has the skills to get playing time early on.</p> <p><strong>Respect Tyleek, SG Lakewood</strong></p> <p>The Piners experienced a turnaround season in 2019-20 as they won 20 games and made the Central Jersey Group 3 quarterfinals. NJCU commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896659" first="Ryan" last="Savoy"]</strong> was dominant down low, but freshman guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933644" first="Samir" last="Padilla"] </strong>and Tyleek proved to be difference-makers during the season. The latter is a tough guard prospect capable of beating his defender off the bounce. Tyleek is capable of running the offense in a pinch and has a good chemistry with Padilla. Lakewood will miss Savoy in 2020-21, but the future is bright with Padilla and Tyleek.</p> <p><strong>Malachi Johnson, 5’8 PG Union</strong></p> <p>Johnson was a big part of the Farmers’ attack as he was their second leading scorer. The 5’8 point guard has a quick release on his shot and can knock down three-pointers in bunches. Johnson plays with extreme confidence and is unafraid of taking the big shot. He is a good on-ball defender and is unafraid of going after rebounds against much bigger opponents. Union has the potential to have a big 2020-21 season behind Johnson’s play at point guard.</p> <p><strong>Jalen Pichardo, 6’4 SF East Brunswick</strong></p> <p>The Bears had an up and down 2019-20 season as they finished 11-14, but that does not takeaway from Pichardo’s debut varsity campaign. The 6’4 wing knows how to take the ball strong to the basket and can finish through contact. Pichardo is a force on the glass, going for rebounds almost every time he’s around the ball. He is an underrated passer and has good handles on the perimeter. Pichardo will continue to grow in East Brunswick’s offense as his varsity career continues.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Players to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Corey Miller, 6’1 SG Pennington</strong></p> <p><strong>Arnaldo Rodriguez, 6’1 PG St. Joseph (Hammonton)</strong></p> <p><strong>Carnegie Johnson, 5’10 PG Blair Academy</strong></p> <p><strong>Ted Gregoire, 6’5 SF Roselle Park</strong></p>