Transfer Big Men to Watch this Season

<p>The Garden State basketball scene is filled with transfers and that did not change with the COVID-19 pandemic. That is especially true with the big men group as many talented post players found a new home within New Jersey. Here are the top big men transfers to watch this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="992524" first="Aaron" last="Bradshaw"], 7’0 PF Camden 2023</strong></p> <p>Bradshaw is an extremely lanky post player who was slated to have a big season for Roselle Catholic before his move to Camden. The 7’0 power forward can handle the ball on the perimeter and his range extends past the three-point line. Bradshaw has a nice touch around the basket and can catch lobs to finish above the rim. He uses his size and length on the defensive end to swat shots around the basket, making him one of the top rim-protectors in the class. Bradshaw slots in nicely down low next to South Carolina commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850504" first="Ta’Quan" last="Woodley"]</strong> as they form one of the top forward duos in New Jersey.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900335" first="Derrick" last="Bueno"], 6’5 PF Roselle Catholic 2021</strong></p> <p>The Lions need someone to emerge as a threat down low and they may have got their man in Bueno. The Paramus Catholic transfer has a strong frame which he uses to finish shots through contact. Bueno is also capable of playing on the perimeter and can knock down open three-pointers. He is tough to move off the block and is an underrated post defender. Bueno may not be the biggest post player, but his ability to score around the basket is key for a talented Roselle Catholic squad.</p> <p><strong>Nick Thomas, 6’7 PF Montclair Immaculate 2021</strong></p> <p>Montclair Immaculate normally plays with three or four guards on the perimeter, but Thomas will still be able to make an impact down low. The 6’7 forward knows how to create position for himself down low and uses his frame to draw contact. Thomas has a nice touch around the basket and is an underrated passer. He attacks the offensive glass hard and can move his feet on the defensive end. Thomas’ ability to establish himself down low is key for a Lions’ team looking to repeat as Essex County champions.</p> <p><strong>Nivek Borden, 6’8 PF St. Benedict’s 2022</strong></p> <p>The Grey Bees are one of the most talented teams in New Jersey and they filled their need of a big man with Borden. The South Shore transfer is an athletic big man who loves to finish above the rim. Borden has a nice touch around the basket and doesn’t mind contact close to the rim. He skies for rebounds on both ends and uses his athleticism to altar shots on the defensive end. St. Benedict’s brought in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991214" first="Aaron" last="Clark"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="977499" first="Sam" last="Alajiki"]</strong>, but Borden will be the X-Factor for the Grey Bees this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901974" first="Donovan" last="Long"], 6’6 SF/PF Rutgers Prep 2022</strong></p> <p>Long’s college future will be on the perimeter, but he will be playing closer to the basket with the Argonauts. The Marist transfer has a motor that does not stop and is one of the better defenders in the class. Long attacks the basket hard and does not mind drawing contact. He has a nice touch around the basket and has a solid mid-range game. Rutgers Prep needs someone to replace <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850340" first="Nico" last="Galette"] </strong>down low and Long looks to be the guy to do so.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013065" first="Ian" last="Imegwu"], 6’8 PF Blair Academy 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>Daryl McGraw, 6’9 PF/C St. Joseph Academy 2021</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="904675" first="Dut" last="Kuol"], 6’10 PF/C Olympus Prep 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="900352" first="Mark" last="Woolhouse"], 6’9 PF Pennington 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1016676" first="Landen" last="Shivers"], 6’8 PF Life Center Academy 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901966" first="Mehki" last="Johnson"], 6’7 PF Colonia 2022</strong></p>