Transfer Watch 2021: Part IX

[caption id="attachment_1177609" align="alignleft" width="216"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Justice-Williams-e1625579050602.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1177609" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Justice-Williams-e1625579050602-274x300.jpg" alt="" width="216" height="236" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991189" first="Justice" last="Williams"] reclassed into 2021s so he could enroll at LSU this fall.[/caption] <p>The list of elite level prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania (and beyond) who are transferring high schools this off-season continues to grow here in late August. Since our last installment of the 2021 transfer watch series, several more exceptionally talented area prospects have announced they will be attending a new school this fall.</p> <p>Among those highlighted in our nineth review of transfers for 2021 is one all-state prospect exiting the state of Pennsylvania and an elite 2022 backcourt palyer who is heading to college early.</p> <p><strong>Saraj Ali</strong> <strong>– 6’4’’ / Senior / Olympus Prep (NJ) / Wing: </strong>Ali is a wing player built for the transition game who was a major contributor to Loyalsock’s PIAA 3A state championship run. A long and athletic prospect with plenty of energy and bounce, this past season Ali (1^st team 3A All-State) recorded a stat line of 18 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. During the 2020-21 season Ali notched 15 double-doubles and shot 60% from the field. On the defensive end, Ali is an excellent rim protector who specializes in exploding from the weak side to reject an opponent’s shot. On the spring/summer grassroots circuit Ali plays for Team Final Red.</p> <p><strong>Kyle Jones, Jr. </strong>– <strong>6’3” / Junior / Father Judge / Combo Guard: </strong>You may have noticed that recently Judge has been pulling in a great deal of local talent from the 2024 and 2025 grad classes. Now new Head Coach Chris Roantree has added a high-level transfer from Langston Hughes HS in Georgia. Whether he is leading the break or filling a wing, Jones, Jr. is fantastic in the transition game. This combo-guard can also shoot the 3-ball at a high clip and is especially deadly from the wings. Back in January of 2021 he drained 7 threes on his way to 23 points (as well as 5 rebs; 4 stls; and 4 blks) vs. Troup County (GA). At the defensive end, Jones, Jr. has a habit on anticipating where the ball is going and then knifing through the passing lane for a steal. Jones, Jr. has received offers from DePaul and Virginia Tech</p> <p><strong>Terrell Pitts </strong>– <strong>6’3” / Junior / St. Thomas Aquinas (NJ) / Combo Guard:</strong> The now defunct Bishop McDevitt (PA) hoops program continues to disperse remarkable prospects all over the tri-state area. Last winter as a starter on a deep McDevitt squad, Pitts averaged 8.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He scored 20 vs. Father Judge (PA) and at the end of the 2020-21 season Pitts was a 3^rd Team All-PCL selection. Then this summer while playing for SJ Hoops Elite, Pitts took his game to another level. On the grassroots circuit Pitts played with an edge and used an attacking, downhill style of play that helped increase his scoring numbers significantly. Additionally, Pitts showed that he is excellent in transition and can finish over a defender with authority. Pitts is a versatile guard who if needed can slide to the point and run a team. He holds offers from multiple DI schools.   </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991189" first="Justice" last="Williams"] </strong>– <strong>6’2” / Senior / LSU / Point Guard: </strong>For several weeks it had been rumored that the former Montverde Academy (FL) reserve (and Roman Catholic star) was going to transfer to the Westtown School for his senior year of high school. However, that was before Class of 2022 superstars Jalen Duren (committed to Memphis) and Emoni Bates (committed to Memphis) reclassed into the 2021 grad year so they could enroll at college this fall. Williams jumped on that trend started by his grassroots teammates, reclassed as well, and began attending classes at LSU this week. On the court, Williams recently registered an excellent spring/summer playing with a Team Final EYBL 17U team that is loaded with NBA talent. Williams is a tremendously versatile backcourt player with a very high basketball IQ. This prospect can score in bunches or dial it back and get teammates involved. As a primary ball handler, he owns filthy dribbling skills including next level change of direction / pace abilities. Those skills allow Williams to break full-court pressure on his own. During the July recruiting period the mechanics on Williams’ jump shot looked much smoother. LSU is getting one hell of a player.</p>