2023 Top Big Men

<p>The 2023 class is filled with big-time talent and potential. <strong>Dajuan Wagner </strong><strong>Jr</strong> was one of the top players in New Jersey and was named to Second Team All-State. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902732" first="Mackenzie" last="Mgbako"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850752" first="Simeon" last="Wilcher"]</strong> both had big-time moments for teams that competed for the Non-Public B North title. Wings and guards are not the only major players in the 2023 class as there is a solid group of post players. Here are the top big men in the 2023 class.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902732" first="Mackenzie" last="Mgbako"] (Gill St. Bernard’s)</strong></p> <p>Mgbako will definitely play on the wing at the next level, but he played a large portion of the season down low for the Knights. The 6’7 forward has a versatile offensive game as he has a solid post game and can handle the ball on the perimeter. Mgbako can finish through contact around the basket and has a good release on his jumper. He is one of the top rebounders in the 2023 class and plays with good instincts on defense. Gill St. Bernard’s is looking to take home the Non-Public B North title in 2019-20 with Mgbako back in the fold.</p> <p><strong>Aaron Bradshaw (Roselle Catholic)</strong></p> <p>The Lions will dearly miss Gatorade Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850316" first="Cliff" last="Omoruyi"]</strong>, but they should be in good hands with Bradshaw. The 6’11 forward has a good face-up game and can pull his defender away from the basket with his shooting. Bradshaw plays with good footwork down low and has a nice touch around the basket. His athleticism and length makes him one of the top shot-blockers in the class. Roselle Catholic should once again be one of the teams to beat in the state with Bradshaw getting more touches on offense.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902742" first="Delroy" last="Smith"] (Newark East Side)</strong></p> <p>The Red Raiders are one of the top programs in Group 4 with three Tournament of Champions appearance in the decade. They need someone to control down low and Smith looks to be the guy. The 6’5 forward plays with physicality down low and is a tough rebounder. Smith has a nice touch around the basket and is developing his range. Newark East Side will be looking to improve from its 17-10 record from last season and Smith’s emergence down low should help.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933048" first="Tristen" last="Guilloutte"] (Westampton Tech)</strong></p> <p>The Panthers lost do-everything guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929683" first="Tyrese" last="Myrick"] </strong>to graduation, which creates an opportunity for someone to step. Guilloutte may not have received a ton of opportunities as a freshman, but he has the skillset to have a big contribution in 2020-21. The burly 6’7 post player is tough to move off the block and has a nice touch around the rim. Guilloutte plays with good positioning on the defensive end and works hard on every possession. Westampton Tech needs someone to step up next season and Guilloutte looks to be the guy.</p> <p><strong>Ian Imegwu (Blair Academy)</strong></p> <p>Imegwu spent last season at Morristown-Beard, but transferred to Blair Academy in the offseason. The 6’8 stretch four has a good face-up game and can knock down shots from behind the arc. Imegwu can handle the ball on the perimeter and can finish through contact. He is a good rebounder and is one of the better shot-blockers in the class. Imegwu will get the opportunity to learn from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850503" first="Akoldah" last="Gak"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850680" first="Lual" last="Manyang"]</strong>, which will help his development and Blair Academy as a team in 2020-21.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Players to Know:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Chris Santner, Roselle Catholic</strong></p> <p><strong>Carson Howard, Lacey</strong></p> <p><strong>Ted Gregoire, Roselle Park</strong></p> <p><strong>Ethan Goss, Hun</strong></p>