Prep School Point Guards Ready for a Strong 2020-21 Season

<p>The prep school scene in New Jersey is one of the best in the country with a number of high profile teams. St. Benedict’s and Blair Academy are consistently two of the top teams in the state,while Lawrenceville is also a solid program. The prep school talent is always deep, especially at the guard position. Here are the top prep school point guards ready for a strong 2020-21 season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850502" first="Jaylen" last="Blakes"], 6’1 Blair Academy 2021</strong></p> <p>The Buccaneers have been one of the top teams in New Jersey over the past few seasons. Blakes is a talented floor general who took over as the team leader when Virginia commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766053" first="Jabri" last="Abdur-Rahim"] </strong>went down with injury. The 6’1 guard can score around the basket, knock down perimeter jumpers and distribute the ball to open teammates. Blakes has a good handle, but is also capable of picking up his man full court. Blair Academy will be one of the teams to watch in New Jersey with Blakes back to run the show.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933737" first="Everton" last="Browne"], 6’0 PG St. Benedict’s 2022</strong></p> <p>The Grey Bees are one of the top programs in New Jersey, but they will have to replace NJIT commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850348" first="Adetokundo" last="Bakare"]</strong> at point guard. Browne is more of a scorer, but he is definitely capable of running the offense. The 6’0 guard is a blur in the open floor and is hard to keep out of the lane. Browne is more than just a slasher as he can also knock down shots from behind the arc. St. Benedict’s should once again be one of the teams to beat in the Garden State as Browne gets an expanded role in the offense.</p> <p><strong>Takai Simpkins, 6’3 Olympus Prep 2022</strong></p> <p>Simpkins may be a new addition to the Olympus Prep squad, but he should still create an impact right away. The New York native is a big-time shooter as he can knock three-pointers down in bunches. Simpkins has a good handle and a nice first step to get by his defender. The 6’3 guard has a nice mid-range game and can finish through contact. Simpkins is ready for a big 2020-21 campaign for an Olympus Prep team that should face a tough schedule.</p> <p><strong>Corey Miller, 6’1 Pennington 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901962" first="Ethan" last="Pires"] </strong>will be the go-to guy for Pennington,but Miller’s presence in the backcourt will only help his offense. The Ocean Township transfer is a score-first point guard who knows how to beat his man off the dribble. Miller knows how to finish around the basket and has a nice release on his shot. He is a tough rebounder and an underrated passer. Pennington should have a strong 2020-21 season with Miller running the show.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902748" first="Hampton" last="Sanders"], 5’10 Princeton Day 2023</strong></p> <p>The Panthers had a solid 2019-20 campaign, but they should be even better next year with Sanders returning at point guard. The 5’10 guard is lightning quick with the ball in his hands and is tough to keep out of the lane. Sanders has a good handle and knows how to finish around the basket. He is a solid on-ball defender and makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. Princeton Day School should have a good 2020-21 season with Sanders already having a year of high school basketball under his belt.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902735" first="Ty-Laur" last="Johnson"], 5’10 St. Benedict’s 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="829428" first="Jayden" last="Williams"], 5’9 Blair Academy 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>Tajuan Simpkins, 6’3 Olympus Prep 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>Basil Nori, 6’0 Olympus Prep 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>Carnegie Johnson, 5’11 Blair Academy 2023</strong></p>