SEC Player of the Year Contenders

<p>The Super Essex Conference is one of the toughest basketball conferences in the Garden State with some of the top teams in the state. It is filled with numerous players with the opportunity to take home conference player of the year honors. Here are the contenders for SEC Player of the Year in 2021-22.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="902757" first="Jalen" last="Robinson"], 5’10 PG Columbia 2023</strong></p> <p>The Panthers had a strong 2020-21 season and Robinson’s play was a big reason why. The junior floor general controls the pace of the game and is not sped up by on-ball pressure. Robinson has a good handle, which he uses to break his defender down off the bounce and make plays in the lane. He makes opponents pay for giving him space on the perimeter and is a solid on-ball defender. Robinson’s ability to run the offense effectively is something that will help his stock in a big way this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850674" first="David" last="Olaniyi"], 5’10 PG Newark East Side 2022</strong></p> <p>Olaniyi is back to run the show for the Red Raiders as they look to reclaim their dominance in Essex County. The 5’10 guard is decisive with the ball in his hands and knows how to get into the lane. Olaniyi is a crafty finisher around the basket and can make opponents pay for giving him space on the perimeter. He is an underrated passer and is a strong rebounder for a guard his size. Olaniyi is a scoring point guard prospect who has a good chance at taking home conference player of the year honors.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1027934" first="Gavin" last="Kreitz"], 5’9 PG Seton Hall Prep 2022</strong></p> <p>The Pirates were one of the top teams in the SEC this season and they have a chance to take home the county conference title with Kreitz returning in the backcourt. The Ridge transfer is a marksman from deep as he has a quick release on his jumper and can knock down jumpers in bunches. Kreitz is more than just a shooter as he can also put the ball on the floor and finish around the basket. He moves well off the ball and makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. Kreitz’s ability to knock down shots from distance is something that will help Seton Hall Prep in a big way this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850754" first="Spencer" last="Joyner"]/ [player_tooltip player_id="850762" first="Elijon" last="Nix"], Arts 2023</strong></p> <p>The Jaguars enter the 2021-22 season with high expectations as Joyner and Nix will be the go-to guys on offense. The former is a lanky guard who is at his best getting to the basket and can draw contact. Nix is a heady floor general who can beat his defender off the bounce and finish around the basket. Both guards are strong rebounders and have a good chemistry together in the backcourt. Joyner and Nix are talented guard prospects who are in store for big junior seasons.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1150465" first="Tavian" last="Pullock"], 6’4 SF Montclair Immaculate 2023</strong></p> <p>The Lions lost a lot of talent from last season’s team, creating a huge opportunity for Pullock. The 6’4 wing is at his best attacking the basket and does not drawing contact around the rim. Pullock has a nice release on his jumper and uses his size to shoot over smaller defenders. He is a good rebounder and has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor. Pullock is a breakout candidate for Montclair Immaculate as he gets more touches on the offensive end.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Prospects to Watch:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="931029" first="Chase" last="Clarke"], 6’5 SF Newark Academy 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050411" first="Khalil" last="Sanders"], PG Newark Tech 2024</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050410" first="Khalid" last="Sanders"], PG Newark Tech 2024</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1202192" first="Naceir" last="Kirksey"], 6’0 PG Shabazz 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1150532" first="Hazir" last="Lee"], 6’2 SG Newark Central 2023</strong></p>