Middlesex County: Under the Radar Prospects to Watch

<p>The GMC is one of the better conferences in the Garden State with a strong group of teams. It is full of under the radar players who are ready for big 2021-22 seasons. Here are under the radar prospects to watch in Middlesex County this year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933736" first="Amari" last="Campbell"], 6’3 PG St. Joe’s Metuchen 2022</strong></p> <p>Campbell is set to run the offense for a Falcons’ team filled with promise. The 6’3 guard has a good handle, which he uses to get into the lane and make plays. Campbell can finish above the rim and is capable of hitting open jumpers from distance. He is a good rebounder and has the length to defend both guard spots. Campbell is a lanky point guard prospect who is in store for a big senior season for St. Joe’s Metuchen.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013072" first="Jalen" last="Pichardo"], 6’5 SF St. Thomas Aquinas 2023</strong></p> <p>Pichardo had a solid first two seasons with East Brunswick and should make an impact in his debut season with the Trojans. The 6’5 wing has a strong frame which he uses to finish through contact around the basket. Pichardo has a nice handle as he can get by his defender from the perimeter and knock down shots in the mid-range. He attacks the glass on both ends of the floor and is an underrated defender. Pichardo should make an impact down low for St. Thomas Aquinas as the Trojans look to take home the GMC Tournament title.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1273936" first="Daniel" last="Yarus"], 6’6 SF/PF Spotswood 2024</strong></p> <p>Yarus had a solid debut season for the Chargers and should have a bigger sophomore season. The 6’6 forward has a nice release on his jumper and his range extends out to the three-point line. Yarus can also put the ball on the floor and finish around the basket. He has the length to altar shots around the basket and is an underrated passer. Yarus is a breakout player to watch in the GMC as he gets more looks on the offensive end.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1034378" first="Nicholas" last="(Niko) Barnes"], 6’4 CG Edison 2022</strong></p> <p>Barnes has been a steady presence for the Eagles in the backcourt over the last couple of seasons and should lead the offense again in 2021-22. The 6’4 guard is at his best attacking the basket as he can finish in multiple ways and does not mind drawing contact. Barnes is more than just a slasher as he can also knock down open jumpers from the perimeter. He is a solid passer and is a tough on-ball defender. Barnes is a gritty, two-way guard prospect who is in store for a big senior campaign for Edison.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1270515" first="Brandon" last="Dean"], 5’10 PG South Plainfield 2023</strong></p> <p>Dean had a strong sophomore campaign for the Tigers and should have a better junior season. The 5’10 guard has a nice handle, which he uses to break his defender off the bounce to get into the lane. Dean has a good shooting stroke and can knock down triples in bunches. He is an underrated rebounder and moves his feet well on the defensive end. Dean is a lead guard prospect whose shooting will help South Plainfield in a big way as the season rolls on.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Prospects to Watch:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1025373" first="Yathin" last="Vemula"], 6’0 PG South Brunswick 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>Eli Peters, 6’1 SG JP Stevens 2024</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1202189" first="Billy" last="Anderson"], 6’7 PF Colonia 2022</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1269717" first="Lazaro" last="Rodriguez"], 6’4 SF South River 2023</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1013053" first="Mehkai" last="Huey"], 5’10 PG Wardlaw-Hartridge 2022</strong></p>