Group 4 Guards to Watch

<p>Group 4 had some of the top sectional finals in the state with two of them decided at the buzzer. First Team All-State selections <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="896632" first="Michael" last="Bressler"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850359" first="Jordan" last="Price"] </strong>graduated, but the group is still filled with big-time talent. The guard play is especially talented with players capable of filling up the stat sheet. Here are the top guards to watch in Group 4.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850673" first="Maurice" last="Odum"], 6’1 PG Union City 2022</strong></p> <p>Odum is a scoring machine capable of dropping 25 points on any given night. The 6’1 guard can get hot from distance in a hurry and shoots the ball with confidence. Odum is more than just a shooter as he is capable of beating his defender off the bounce and can finish through contact. He is a blur in the open floor and is an underrated passer. Odum led the state in scoring last season and has the opportunity to do so again in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="929528" first="Trevor" last="Bokach"], 6’4 CG Watchung Hills 2021</strong></p> <p>Bokach was more of a facilitator last season and will be tasked with a larger scoring load in 2020-21. The 6’4 guard is a good handler and is tough to keep out of the lane. Bokach is a nice finisher around the basket and can knock down jumpers from behind the arc. He is a tremendous passer and is a good on-ball defender. Bokach is a skilled guard prospect who should have a big senior season for Watchung Hills.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013069" first="Malachi" last="Johnson"], 5’11 PG Union 2023</strong></p> <p>Johnson had a solid debut season and is looking to build upon it in 2020-21. The 5’11 guard has a nice release on his jumper and sets his feet before he shoots. Johnson is more than just a shooter as he can also finish around the rim. He is a solid passer and moves his feet well on the defensive end. Johnson picked up a Division 1 offer from Bryant in the offseason and could pick up more with a big sophomore season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900321" first="Al-Fatir" last="Connor"], 5’10 PG Elizabeth 2021</strong></p> <p>The Minutemen have been one of the top teams in Group 4 over the past two season and Connor has been a big reason why. The 5’10 guard plays with composure on the ball and is capable of blowing by his defender in the halfcourt. Connor makes plays when he gets into the lane and knows how to run the offense. He can knock down jumpers from behind the arc and is a solid on-ball defender. Connor is one of the more underrated point guards in North Jersey, but a strong senior season should change that.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901990" first="Ryan" last="Curry"], 6’0 PG Montgomery 2022</strong></p> <p>Lafayette commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900301" first="Chris" last="Rubayo"] </strong>may be the team’s go-to scorer, but Curry is the guy who runs the show. The 6’0 guard is extremely unselfish and is a skilled passer. Curry has a good handle and is at his best pushing the pace in transition. He can stretch the defense with his ability to knock down three-pointers and plays with composure on the ball. Curry is a skilled point guard prospect who is ready to burst onto the scene in 2020-21.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900306" first="Brian" last="Johannsson"], 6’5 SG Hunterdon Central 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1034378" first="Nicholas" last="Barnes"], 6’4 CG Edison 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850667" first="Derek" last="Simpson"], 6’0 PG Lenape 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900361" first="Anthony" last="Milligan"], 6’2 SG Franklin 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>Yathin Vermula, 6’0 PG South Brunswick 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900359" first="Luke" last="Albrecht"], 5’11 PG Middletown South 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902758" first="Lorenzo" last="Perez"], 5’10 PG Perth Amboy 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850674" first="David" last="Olaniyi"], 5’10 PG Newark East Side 2022</strong></p>