What Jayden Lemond’s Move Means to the Garden State

<p>The start of practices in New Jersey is less than a week away, but one team will already have a significant blow to overcome. Dwight-Englewood guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901957" first="Jayden" last="Lemond"]</strong> announced yesterday that he will be transferring to Blair Academy and reclassifying to 2023. His move creates a huge impact across the Garden State as it changes the landscape for two different classes.</p> <p>Dwight-Englewood loses its most dynamic ball-handler, leaving sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="901956" first="David" last="Mager"]</strong> more responsibility with the ball in his hands. The 6’3 lefty has a nice mid-range game and can get to the bucket, but he will have to be more of a facilitator on offense. Lemond was a crucial part of running Dwight-Englewood’s offense and Mager will be asked to pick up the slack.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1039495" first="Ayjani" last="Rasbury"] </strong>had a strong summer for the Jersey Force 16U team and it should carry over into the season. The athletic 6’2 guard attacks the basket strong and the ball does not stick to his hands. Rasbury has the potential to run the offense for Dwight-Englewood which would be huge for the Bulldogs this season.</p> <p>Lemond will get an opportunity to play for a talented Blair Academy squad due to his versatility. The 6’4 guard will most likely end up playing point guard at the next level, but he has the ability to play off the ball as well. Lemond has a good handle and is able to draw contact once he gets into the lane. His slashing mindset may clog the lane for Kansas commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850672" first="Kyle" last="Cuffee Jr."] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850671" first="Otega" last="Oweh"]</strong>, but Lemond’s unselfish attitude fits perfectly with a team full of high level players.</p> <p>His move to 2023 is important as it brings in more talent to an already loaded guard class. Camden’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850751" first="Dajuan" last="Wagner Jr"]. </strong>remains at the top of the class, followed by wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902732" first="Mackenzie" last="Mgbako"] </strong>and guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850752" first="Simeon" last="Wilcher"]</strong>. Lemond will team up with the latter in the backcourt for the PSA Cardinals, creating one of the most dynamic backcourts in the area. He is not the only high-level reclass into 2023 as St. Benedict’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991214" first="Aaron" last="Clark"]</strong> is another guard to keep an eye on.</p> <p>Lemond’s stock is definitely on the rise with his entrance into the 2023 class as he has the potential to shake up the top 10 in the Garden State. His 6’4 height for a lead guard makes him an intriguing prospect along with Arts guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850754" first="Spencer" last="Joyner"]</strong>. Both players hold offers from Seton Hall and should be jockeying for position for the next couple of years.</p> <p>The 2022 class is also filled with talent in the guard position headlined by Bergen Catholic’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850662" first="Will" last="Richardson"]</strong>. Lemond was the top-rated combo guard in the class, but his move to 2023 leaves Morris Catholic’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1016677" first="Omarion" last="Jett-Dobbs"] </strong>as the top combo guard in the class. The Montclair transfer is a tough, two-way guard who is ready to explode onto the scene in the Garden State. </p> <p>Lemond’s reclass could see a surge in the rankings from transfer guards in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1025905" first="Jamarques" last="Lawrence"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013044" first="Adam" last="Silas"]</strong>. The former transferred to Roselle Catholic from Plainfield and is capable of scoring points in bunches. Silas transferred to St. Thomas Aquinas with the shutdown of Marist and provides energy and play-making to a talented Trojan backcourt.</p> <p>Lemond’s move created a ton of opportunities for players across the Garden State as they are battling for position in both the 2022 and 2023 classes.</p>