Prep Newcomers Expected to have a Big Impact

<p>New Jersey’s Prep division contains some of the top teams in the state. St. Benedict’s is one of the state’s most historic programs, while Blair Academy has consistently turned out Division I prospects. New players enter their programs all the time,which helps them maintain their status as the premiere programs in the Garden State. Here are the top newcomers in the Prep Division for 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850671" first="Otega" last="Oweh"], 6’3 SG Blair Academy 2022</strong></p> <p>Oweh has been one of the hottest names in the 2022 class with five offers in the last week. The athletic 6’3 guard is at his best attacking the basket and knows how to draw contact once he gets airborne. Oweh is a capable shooter from behind the arc and is a solid defender. His ability to perform in big games was on full display in the state and county tournaments where he averaged 17.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals in those six games. He will have an opportunity to start alongside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850502" first="Jaylen" last="Blakes"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850672" first="Kyle" last="Cuffee Jr."] </strong>in the backcourt on a loaded Blair Academy squad.</p> <p><strong>Aaron Clark, 6’5 CG St. Benedict’s 2022</strong></p> <p>The Grey Bees took home the Prep A final behind the play of  senior guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850348" first="Adetokundo" last="Bakare"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850349" first="E.J." last="Evans"]</strong>. Both players will be sorely missed, but St. Benedict’s got a big addition in Clark. The 6’5 lefty guard has a nice shooting stroke and can get hot from deep in a hurry. Clark has a good handle and is a play-maker with the ball in his hands. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900302" first="Zaba" last="Bangala"] </strong>and <strong>Ty-laur Johnson </strong>both return for St. Benedict’s and they will welcome the addition of Clark in the backcourt.</p> <p><strong>Tyleel Hall, 6’4 CG Olympus Prep 2023</strong></p> <p>Olympus Prep loses talented Tennessee-Martin commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896444" first="Anthony" last="Thomas"]</strong> and needs someone to replace his scoring. Hall looks to be the man for the job after a solid 2019-20 campaign in Brooklyn. The 6’4 combo guard is a crafty player with the ball in his hands. Hall has a good handle and can finish around the basket. Olympus Prep has a solid forward duo in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="931018" first="Javon" last="Adams"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900331" first="David" last="Gordon"]</strong>, who should have a solid 2020-21 season with Hall joining the fold.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900305" first="Philip" last="Urban"], 6’6 SF Pennington 2022</strong></p> <p>Urban had a solid season for Mater Dei last season, but should get more opportunities on the offensive end at Pennington. The 6’6 forward is a good athlete who can elevate on both ends of the floor. Urban had two games with at least four blocks and plays with good instincts on defense. He has a good handle and knows how to finish around the basket. Urban has the potential to make a difference for the Red Raiders in 2020-21 as he gets more of an opportunity to place away from the basket.</p> <p><strong>Ian Imegwu, 6’8 PF Blair Academy 2023</strong></p> <p>Morristown-Beard may have won only eight games last season, but that does not diminish Imegwu’s talent. The 6’8 stretch four has a solid face-up game and can knock down jumpers from behind the arc. Imegwu has a good handle and is an underrated passer. His combination of length and athleticism makes him one of the top shot-blockers in the 2023 class. Blair Academy has a talented frontcourt duo in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850503" first="Akoldah" last="Gak"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850680" first="Lual" last="Manyang"]</strong>, but Imegwu’s ability to hit shots on the perimeter makes him a candidate to get good minutes in 2020-21.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Corey Miller, 6’1 PG Pennington 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900352" first="Mark" last="Woolhouse"], 6’9 PF Pennington 2022</strong></p>